Having taken a step down from WorldTour level to join new team NFTO Pro Cycling from BMC Racing, Adam Blythe has enjoyed a renaissance in form this season.
His victory in the RideLondon-Surrey Classic was merely the icing on the cake of a season which has also brought third place at the Beaumont Trophy and victories at the Otley Grand Prix, Circuit of the Fens and Jersey International Road Race.
The Yorkshireman has also been crowned National Criterium Champion and having proved he can beat the big-name riders already this season, he has targeted the ‘Kermesse-like’ stages one and 8b this time out.
He faces a difficult task to beat the likes of Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) and Marcel Kittel (Giant-Shimano), but NFTO have enjoyed a stunning debut season and arrive in Liverpool with a young but strong squad at their disposal.
Blythe has already upset the odds once, and will be marked man as a result this time out, but a similarly attacking ride could well see him reaping the rewards again.
