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.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
-
Here’s why cycling workouts with short recoveries are so effective - like this 30s on, 30s off session
Do this workout if you want to improve your ability to do short, sharp, repeated efforts with limited rest
-
CW Asks: Does e-bike racing have a place at the most competitive end of our sport?
Our editors reflect on the future of road cycling and the use of electric bikes in competition
-
Tadej Pogačar luxury watch thieves to serve time after Paris-Nice robbery
The Tour of Flanders champion is the latest cycling star to be robbed of a luxury watch
-
‘It was awful, I hated cycling so much’ - Tom Dumoulin reveals his struggles on and off the bike
Dutch Giro d’Italia winner says that for the first time in life he can ‘fill in everything’ himself after retirement from professional cycling
-
Tom Dumoulin confident altitude training in Tenerife will help Giro d'Italia ambitions: 'I will do the necessary work'
The Dutchman has performed inconsistently in 2022, but still has his sights set on GC victory next month
-
Leo Hayter leaves DSM Development Team early to join Hagens Berman Axeon
British U23 time trial champion moves to American development squad after split opinion over future
-
Cees Bol: Negative comments from unamed DSM riders 'difficult to read'
Dutch sprinter says that it is difficult to read criticisms of the team
-
Romain Bardet says leaving DSM riders' comments 'not easy to understand' after 'Soviet regime' remarks
Multiple riders have broken their contracts over the years with an unnamed rider calling it a "Soviet regime"
-
Tom Dumoulin doesn't rule out Grand Tour return in 2022
Dutchman will decide on his season at the Jumbo-Visma training camp in mid-December
-
Tom Dumoulin runs rapid 10k in hometown of Maastricht
The former Giro d'Italia winner finished second in the event where he averaged 18.3km/h
