Team Bahrain Victorious will return to stage racing at the eighth edition of the ‘Cro Race’ today.
Reigning champion Matej Mohoric is back in Croatia having taken wins in each of his last four multi-day races. He will be the clear leader again this week.
Taking place over six days, there are three hilly profiles, two flat, and one slightly more challenging parcours. Lead DS for the week will be Roman Kreuziger, who comments: “We have six stages: none of them are super long but some are harder than others. We will need to pay attention because the World Tour teams will be expected to control. We will have to race smart and not expend too much energy in the first few days.”
The opening day will see the peloton ride 181km from Primošten to Sinj, with three categorised climbs before an uncomplicated finish. Thursday could also be a day for the baroudeurs, 133.5km between Otočac to Opatija, as could Saturday, which starts with the first category test of Breze. Bahrain arrive with a versatile line-up, equipped to cope with the varied route.
Tomorrow is the shortest stage, at just 114km, with the potential for crosswinds. It is one of the flat days along with Sunday’s finale to the Croatian capital.
The ‘Queen stage’ on Friday is 191km from Krk to Labin, and contains 3723m of ascent, most of which is after the halfway point. There is the ‘hors categorie’ Poklon, which is followed immediately by the Category 1 Afrići. This will be the crucial day in deciding the GC, and all seven Bahrain riders will be committed to Mohorič. On those bigger climbs, Rainer Kepplinger will be the Slovenian’s key ally.
With Bahrain having won four of the last five editions of this race, the team’s objective is clear, as Kreuziger concludes: “Our overall ambitions are to win a stage and be on the GC podium, but we aim to win the race like last year.”
The 2023 edition of Cro Race starts in Primošten today, and finishes on Sunday afternoon in Zagreb.