Miles Scotson: "I'm exciting to begin with ARKEA-B&B HOTELS"
The ARKEA-B&B HOTELS team has been built to shine in every aspect of the Australian race. It will also be competing in two other events on the other side of the planet: the Surf Coast Classic and the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. Analysis.
“This will be my first time on Australian soil. I like racing abroad and discovering new races and cultures. I cut two weeks after Guangxi, and after that I rode well and paid attention during the whole pre-season period, which is very important. I’ve done my utmost to do well from the start of the season in Australia. I’d like to achieve a top 15 overall at the Tour Down Under, and a top 10 on a stage. The Tour of Guangxi gave me a lot of confidence last year, particularly at UCI WorldTour level. My aim is to build on that momentum over the season as a whole, by being as consistent as possible.”
“This will be my 7th participation in the Tour Down Under, and like all Australians I’m proud to take part in this competition, which is our national tour. My aim for this race will be to help the team, I want to feel the atmosphere within the team and I’m going to help Dan in the sprint finishes. There may be one or two stages that suit me as an individual. I want to get off to a good start with ARKEA-B&B HOTELS on the roads of my country. We’ll also be racing in the Surf Coast Classic and the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. It’s a kind of classic, and it’s played out in small groups in sprints. The Surf Coast Classic is more for the sprinters. These are important events and it’s good that we’ll be able to compete in several races during our stay in Australia, it doesn’t make the teams move around just for one event.”
“We’ll be racing three UCI events in Australia this season: the Tour Down Under, the Surf Coast Classic and the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. Dan McLay will be our sprinter for the mass finishes. He will be supported by our Australian recruit. Miles Scotson will be able to offer the whole team the benefit of his extensive knowledge of the roads in his country. Miles usually plays the role of pilot-fish during sprints, and his association with Dan could bring us great satisfaction. Louis Barré will be the designated rider to make up a place in the overall classification. The Surf Coast Classic should come down to a sprint, and the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race is more of a race for the puncheurs, who should fight it out for victory in small groups. It’s also worth noting, as with Miles, that this will be the first race in our colours for Laurens Huys, who competes in the same category as Louis.”