TDU debut for new WorldTour team UAE Abu Dhabi

THE new UAE Abu Dhabi team will make its UCI WorldTour debut at this month’s Santos Tour Down Under — but it won’t be going into the race “blind”.

Happy memory ... Ben Swift, then with Team Sky, wins Stage 6 of the 21011 Tour Down Under. He’s back this year with UAE Abu Dhabi. Picture: Sarah Reed.

THE new UAE Abu Dhabi team will make its UCI WorldTour debut at this month’s Santos Tour Down Under — but it won’t be going into the race “blind”.

Five members of the fledgling unit have raced in Adelaide with other teams.

Englishman Ben Swift, in particular, will have fond memories of the TDU, having claimed two stage victories in the 2011 race, finishing third in the overall general classification.

Race director Mike Turtur expects the new team to be competitive, saying it had set ambitious goals for the season-opening race, with a team line-up it believes can have an impact across all six stages.

“Ben Swift, Marko Kump, Louis Meintjes, Manuele Mori and Diego Ulissi all have ridden the Santos Tour Down Under previously,” Turtur said.

“It is always good to welcome back past stage winners and those who have finished well in the overall general classification.”

Swift, who is no stranger to new teams, having ridden for the then new Russian outfit Team Katusha in 2009 before joining freshly formed Team Sky the following year.

He said he was fired up for the TDU.

“I’m really excited to be heading back to the Santos Tour Down Under,” he said.

“I have tasted success there before and it is always a nice place to start the season.

“It’s even more special for me in 2017 as it marks the start of my new adventure with UAE Abu Dhabi. I’m looking forward to pulling on my new jersey and getting started.”

Diego Ulissi is another who returns to Adelaide with TDU success under his belt.

He took out Stage 2 in 2014, on his way to finishing third overall for Lampre.

“I’m happy to go again to Australia, where I’ll find the necessary conditions for the season’s debut,” he said.

“The courses are suitable for my characteristics, I’ll try to achieve important results and I’ll work also in order to improve my shape.

“In the 2017 edition of the race, there won’t be a finish in Stirling, where I obtained one success and one second place.

“It’s a pity, because it would have been a good opportunity, however at the TDU, I’ll have other chances to try to hit the target.”

The UAE Abu Dhabi team rider roster for the 2017 Santos Tour Down Under, to be led by sport director Marco Marzano (Italy), includes riders Ben Swift (Great Britain), Marco Marcato (Italy), Marko Kump (Slovenia), Vegard Laengen (Norway), Louis Meintjes (South Africa), Manuele Mori (Italy) and Diego Ulissi (Italy).

Originally published as TDU debut for new WorldTour team UAE Abu Dhabi