The RadioShack team will head to France this weekend to take on Paris-Nice with American Levi Leipheimer to lead their overall charge. Leipheimer hasn’t taken part in the event since 2007, instead staying at home to race in the Tour of California, winning the race in each of his three participations.
This year Tour of California organizers have moved the race to May, meaning the 36 year old American can once again ride in the “Race to the Sun”, only this time he can use it to prepare for his title defence back in California in two months time.
Also on the start is Leipheimer’s compatriot Chris Horner who recently finished second overall at the Giro di Sardegna. Horner was tenth in Paris-Nice four years ago, and has had solid results in week-long races. The lack of serious mountains in this year’s edition of the race could favor the well-liked 38 year old’s chance for a high place in the overall.
RadioShack will also bring Portuguese rider Tiago Machado to the French race after his strong start to the season. He finished third overall in the Volta ao Algarve, and management decided to give him an opportunity to prove himself next week.
“The initial idea was to run this week in Flanders, but the team informed me that they wanted to go to Paris-Nice,” Machado told Jornal Ciclismo. “For me it is a joy, because it shows that the team has a lot of confidence in me since I will now be tested against the best in the world.”
Gert Steegmans will lead the team for the race’s sprint finishes, with every rider on the list having proven they’re capable of pulling off a result on any given day.
RadioShack team for the 2010 Paris-Nice:
Riders: Jani Brajkovic, Chris Horner, Levi Leipheimer, Geoffroy Lequatre, Tiago Machado, Yaroslav Popovych, Sébastien Rosseler & Gert Steegmans
Directors: Alain Gallopin & Dirk Demol