In a week, the 2024 WorldTour season will kick off with the Tour Down Under (January 16-21). The first teams have already announced their lineups for the six-day race, with a spotlight on Bahrain Victorious. The Middle Eastern team aims to win stages with sprinter Phil Bauhaus and target the general classification with climber Jack Haig.
Jack Haig to lead the team
“Having Jack on the team is very good,” expressed sports director Neil Stephens about Haig. The 30-year-old Australian will compete in his local race for the first time since 2015.
“It’s been a while since his last participation in the Tour Down Under, and it’s very rewarding to have him leading the team. We aim to be among the best and reach the top of the standings with Jack.”
Phil Bauhaus hopes to repeat 2023
As for Phil Bauhaus, his specialty is sprints. The German, who won the first stage in the Tour Down Under last year, is back to seek success once again. “He definitely returns aiming to replicate the success in the stages,” said Stephens. “He’s likely in better shape than last time and is looking forward to competing again.”
Além de Haig e Bauhaus, a Bahrain Victorious inclui Nicolò Buratti, Fran Miholjevic, Johan Price-Pejtersen, Cameron Scott e Torstein Træen, que se juntou à equipe, vindo da Uno-X no último inverno. “Torstein estará na largada como uma peça-chave de apoio nas subidas, e quem sabe… talvez ele também surpreenda com uma boa classificação”, alerta Neil Stephens.
Bahrain Victorious para o Tour Down Under 2024
Cameron Scott
Phil Bauhaus
Nikias Arndt
Nicolò Buratti
Fran Miholjevic
Johan Price-Pejtersen
Torstein Træen
Jack Haig