Rally Cycling is set to return to the old world for its second European campaign of 2016. The team, which started the season in France at the La Méditerranéenne in early February, will return to Europe this month and divide its efforts between four stage races in three countries. Rally Cycling’s European campaign will take the team from Croatia to Portugal and finally to Italy for the famed Settimana Internazionale Coppi E Bartali.
The team will start in Croatia with the Istrian Spring Trophy on March 10 through the 13. The event was first held in 1961 under the name Adranska Magistrala and became a professional level event in 2000. Rob Britton and Evan Huffman, fresh off his overall victory at the Chico Stage Race, will lead the team. Strongman Tom Zirbel and sprinter Eric Young will join them.
“I have some good momentum going at the moment and I am excited to head back to Europe after a difficult race at La Méditerranéenne,” said Evan Huffman. “It’s always great to race in Europe and I want to help the team get a stage win or a general classification podium.”
With half of Rally Cycling in Croatia, the rest of the squad will tackle the GP Liberty Seguros on March 12 and 13 in Portugal. The two-day event features a pair of tough, hilly courses. That same Rally Cycling squad will then take part in the Volta ao Alentejo from March 16-20. The five-day event features five road stages that are well suited to all-round riders such as Will Routley, Bjorn Selander and Emerson Oronte. Danny Pate will lead Rally Cycling’s general classification effort in both events.
The team will finish its spring European campaign with the Settimana Internazionale Coppi E Bartali in Italy, March 24 – 27. Named after Italian icons Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi, the event is considered one of the toughest four-day stage races in the world. The demanding route makes it ideal preparation for the Amgen Tour of California. For the general classification, the trio of Danny Pate, Evan Huffman and Rob Britton will lead Rally Cycling.
“Our March program has come together nicely,” said Performance Manager Jonas Carney. “All of our athletes will have the opportunity to participate in some really tough European races to prepare for the U.S. schedule in April and May. We are excited to return to Portugal, as the GP Liberty Seguros and Volta ao Alentejo are fantastic races and we have some strong performances at both in years past. The Istrian Spring Trophy in Croatia will be a great race to prepare the guys for a very difficult Settimana Internazionale Coppi E Bartali in Italy.”
Istarsko Proljece – Istrian Spring Trophy (UCI 2.2) – March 10-13
Jesse Anthony
Rob Britton
Adam De Vos
Evan Huffman
Eric Young
Tom Zirbel
GP Liberty Seguros (UCI 2.2) – March 12-13
Brad Huff
Shane Kline
Pierrick Naud
Emerson Oronte
Danny Pate
Will Routley
Bjorn Selander
Tom Soladay
Volta ao Alentejo (UCI 2.2) – March 16-20
Brad Huff
Shane Kline
Pierrick Naud
Emerson Oronte
Danny Pate
Will Routley
Bjorn Selander
Tom Soladay
Settimana Internazionale Coppi E Bartali (UCI 2.1) March 24-27
Jesse Anthony
Rob Britton
Adam De Vos
Evan Huffman
Pierrick Naud
Danny Pate
Eric Young
Tom Zirbel
