Tom Dumoulin to lead Giant-Alpecin at Paris-Nice, with ten Dam set to make debut

Fresh off the back of his fourth-place finish at the Tour of Oman, Tom Dumoulin will lead an experienced Giant-Alpecin team at Paris-Nice

Tom Dumoulin

(Image credit: Watson)

Tom Dumoulin will be Giant-Alpecin's leader at Paris-Nice, starting on Sunday, going into the race as one of the favourites to win the 6.1km prologue.

The Dutchman, who finished fourth overall at the Tour of Oman in February, leads an experienced Giant team, which is being stretched for resources with a number of riders out injured and two WorldTour stage races on the calendar next week.

New signing Laurens ten Dam will make his debut for the German team, having been brought in to help the likes of Dumoulin and Warren Barguil in the mountains.

Koen de Kort and Roy Curvers add more experience to the group, with Tour de France stage winner Simon Geschke a threat for a stage win in the 'Race to the Sun'.

Coach Aike Visbeek said: "Our first focus will be to do a good prologue with Tom. From there on we will take it day by day to see what is possible in the general classification.

"With the experience of Koen and Roy we will be able to deal with the different conditions of the race. In addition, Laurens will bring that necessary experience for the mountains."

Read our full preview of Paris-Nice here.

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Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.