Alex Dowsett named in Movistar squad for Milan-San Remo

Alex Dowsett will be thrown in at the deep end on his return to action following a broken collarbone, having been named in Movistar’s squad for Milan-San Remo.

The Brit, who was forced to postpone his Hour Record attempt in February after suffering the injury, will line up alongside the likes of Alejandro Valverde and Juan Jose Lobato in the 293km classic.

Dowsett will make his season debut at GP Nobili in Arona, northern Italy, on March 19, making the short trip to Milan for the year’s first Monument.

Last year’s winner Alexander Kristoff will be looking to retain his title after a strong start to the year, while Mark Cavendish, who Dowsett was training with when he sustained his injury, also has the race as a priority this season.

>>> Alex Dowsett targets Hour Record attempt in April

Valverde and Lobato will lead the Movistar team at both Nobili and San Remo, giving them options in both a bunch sprint and a reduced bunch finish. It will be the first time that Valverde has raced the Primavera since 2006, when he finished 24th.

Movistar squad for GP Nobili: Alejandro Valverde, Juan Jose Lobato, Jasha Sütterlin, Alex Dowsett, Rory Sutherland, Winner Anacona, Igor Antón and Enrique Sanz.

Movistar for Milan-San Remo: Alejandro Valverde, Juan Jose Lobato, Jasha Sütterlin, Alex Dowsett, Adriano Malori, Ion Izagirre, José Joaquín Rojas and Giovanni Visconti.