UAE Team Emirates-XRG will return to Boucles de la Mayenne this week after two years away from the French race.
The four-day 2.Pro event starts with a prologue on Thursday, followed by three road stages through the Mayenne department.
The Emirati team have named a six-rider squad led by Benoit Cosnefroy and Sebastian Molano. They will be joined by Luca Giaimi, Julius Johansen, Ivo Oliveira and Rui Oliveira.
Cosnefroy knows the race well. He has twice finished second overall at Boucles de la Mayenne and won last year’s prologue, edging out Ivo Oliveira, who is now his teammate.
That opening stage could suit him again. The short, punchy format often rewards riders who can handle repeated changes of pace and make small gaps count.
“Boucles de la Mayenne is a race I’ve ridden many times and know very well,” Cosnefroy said. “Personally, it’s been a very positive couple of months of racing and I hope to continue that.”
“Our team is strong. Already for the prologue on day one we have a number of riders who can go for the win. I’ve been second in the GC here twice in the past and it would be nice to win or to do it with one of my teammates.”
Cosnefroy arrives after a good run of form, including a stage win at the Tour de Hongrie earlier this month.
The general classification at Boucles de la Mayenne is often tight. Last year, Aaron Gate of XDS Astana Team won overall, while Cosnefroy finished fifth, only seven seconds behind.
That leaves little room for mistakes. Bonus seconds, positioning and the prologue result could all matter by the final stage.
