Bahrain Victorious Target Fast Finish in Copenhagen

# Bahrain Victorious Aims for Strong Finish at Copenhagen Sprint

Team Bahrain Victorious is set to return to Denmark this weekend, gearing up for the Copenhagen Sprint, a one-day UCI WorldTour race scheduled for Sunday, June 14. Now in its second edition, the men’s race spans 228.2 kilometers, starting in Roskilde and traversing Zealand before reaching the Danish capital. While the route lacks significant climbs, it features long, fast roads and several exposed sections that will demand strategic positioning ahead of the final circuit.

The race culminates in five laps around the Copenhagen city circuit, which is characterized by repeated corners and technical sections, emphasizing the importance of timing and organization as riders prepare for the concluding sprint.

Team Bahrain Victorious will be led by sprinter Žak Eržen, supported by a lineup that includes Robert Stannard, Pau Miquel, Daniel Skerl, Alberto Bruttomesso, Mathijs Paasschens, and Oliver Stockwell. With this sprint-focused roster, the team aims to optimize a fast finish.

For Eržen, the Copenhagen Sprint marks his return to competition following some time off due to knee problems. He commented: “It will be my first race back after a while, since Belgium, and I also had some knee problems, so I’m coming into it without putting too much pressure on myself. It’s a good race to help me build again for the next part of the season, but of course I still want to aim for the best result possible. In terms of form, I’m not completely sure where I am yet, so I will see during the race. From my training at home, I feel I’m in good shape, and I’m looking forward to racing again.”

Enrico Gasparotto, the team’s Sports Director, shared his insights on the race strategy: “The race can have different scenarios depending mainly on the weather, and especially the wind. Earlier in the week the forecast looked quite difficult for Sunday, with strong wind and some showers, but now it seems to be improving. At the moment, it looks like there should not be strong gusts, although there could still be some rain in the final.”

He continued, noting how the conditions could influence race dynamics: “If there is wind, the race can become more hectic, and some organised teams may try to make it hard before we enter the final circuit in Copenhagen. Without the wind, I think we can expect a race more similar to last year: quite intense on the way into Copenhagen, and then a big fight for position during the final five laps.”

Gasparotto highlighted the strengths of his team, noting that some riders haven’t raced in a while and could bring freshness to the competition. He praised Stannard’s experience gained from the Giro, stating, “if the race becomes active from early on, his condition and experience can be important for us.”

While acknowledging the strong competition, including noted sprinters like Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) and Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Gasparotto explained, “We are not coming here as the favourites, but in a bunch sprint you never know. We need to race well as a team and try to make the most of our opportunity. It is my first time at this race, Copenhagen is a great city, and we are looking forward to the experience.”

With all eyes on the Copenhagen Sprint, Bahrain Victorious is eager to make their mark and capitalize on their team dynamics and strategies.