British road race champion Adam Blythe is targeting his first win in the national stripes at this Sunday's Cyclassics Hamburg.
The Tinkoff rider has been selected as his team's co-leader alongside Oscar Gatto for the 217km race in and around the German city.
With the Yorkshireman looking for his fifth new team in as many years with Tinkoff folding at the end of this season, he has been given an opportunity to show his sprinting prowess - a rarity during most of his career where he has been used a leadout rider.
>>> ‘Joy, happiness, pure emotion’ – Adam Blythe elated with National Championship win
To claim what would be just his third win in three years he would have to beat a strong field, including André Griepel (Lotto Soudal), Caleb Ewan (Orica-BikeExchange), Arnaud Démare (FDJ) and RideLondon 2016 winner Tom Boonen (Etixx-QuickStep).
Tinkoff DS Patxi Vila has backed Blythe.“We have a good team here, and even though we don’t have a big bunch sprinter, both Adam and Oscar are capable of getting a result here in a bunch finish.
"When we’re in August, things start to depend on who has what left in the legs after a long season, and we will see how the guys are feeling on the day. Oscar showed strong form in Norway last week, and Adam has shown when he’s on a good day he can out sprint the fastest.”
Blythe told CW after his National Championships win: "With Tinkoff stopping, I’ve got to find a new team but he’s [Oleg Tinkov] been great trying to support us with getting a new contract. Hopefully I’ll be back there [in the WorldTour].”
Team Sky are led by Ben Swift but have a host of sprinting options, with Olympic omnium champion Elia Viviani, Danny van Poppel and Andy Fenn riding, too.
