Team NetApp kicks off the Belgian classics season
The Flemish classic, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, on February 25 marks the start of the Belgian classics season for Team NetApp. The demanding 200-kilometer race starting and ending in Ghent will also be the initial test for the Tour of Flanders on April 1.
"For 2012 we have specifically added Jerome Baugnies and Markus Eichler to boost the team's classics specialists, which is why I am very confident that our team now has a good line-up," Sport Director Jens Heppner explains. "But it's quite clear that Het Nieuwsblad will be a very difficult race. The route covers several 'pavé' [cobblestone] sections and hills from the Tour of Flanders. Jerome lives near the course, and the entire team will benefit from his insider knowledge. And today we are setting off to inspect the decisive last 120 kilometers of the race," Heppner continues.
Just one day after Het Nieuwsblad, Team NetApp will be facing its next race with Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. While this route also includes hills from the Tour of Flanders such as the Kwaremont, the race is much flatter overall. "In Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne not only classics riders can look for their opportunities – sprinters can as well. We have accordingly added our fast guys, André Schulze and Michael Schwarzmann, to the line-up for this race," Jens Heppner says in his assessment.
As with most Belgian races, the weather always plays a decisive role, especially on a route like Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. "It continues to be an unpredictable race," the Sport Director concludes.
