Defending Amstel Gold Race champion Roman Kreuziger ups his preparations for the Ardennes Classics this weekend by forming part of a strong Tinkoff-Saxo line-up for Strade Bianche.
Although yet to be confirmed by the team, Kreuziger has stated on his website he will contend the race and could be joined by Daniele Bennati and Nico Roche on the start line in San Gimignano.
Kreuziger’s only outing this season saw him unable to match the pace of Chris Froome on Green Mountain, in Oman, finishing tenth on the stage and eighth overall.
The Czech rider’s first one-day race of the campaign sees him return to the white gravel roads for the first time since his sixth place in 2012. On that occasion, Kreuziger finished more than a minute behind Fabian Cancellara, but since joining his current team last season, the 27-year-old has proved he can contend for more than just top-ten finishes. Although his form remains a bit of a mystery, and it may be too early in his season for a rider starting victory in mid-April, a strong ride will certainly see him there or thereabouts.
