Peron returns to Kranj as defending champion looking for repeat success

2022 GP Kranj winner Andrea Peron is back racing next week with Team Novo Nordisk looking for a repeat performance at the Slovenian one-day event.

“Going back-to-back is always tough,” began General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “After last year’s victory everyone will be watching Andrea now and doing what they can to not give him a clear sight of the line, but that’s our challenge to overcome and we’re confident that in the right circumstances Andrea can do it again.”

“The course is slightly different this year, but still characterized by punchy circuits and GP Kranj is always a hard race so we need to be at the top of our game and keep Andrea protected and in a good position throughout. We’ll do our best and GP Kranj marks the start of a big second half of the season for us, so we’re excited to be back racing again.”

Returning with a strong line up the words first all diabetes professional cycling team go into the race ready to embrace the challenge with promising Czech talent Matyas Kopecky alongside Peron for the final and another 2023 standout performer Filippo Ridolfo in support.

“The preparation has been different to last season that’s for sure,” said Peron. “I haven’t had as much racing and high intensity as I’d like coming into GP Kranj, but I feel good and am definitely on an upward curve in terms of condition and the goal is to give it all we have and go for another result.”

The wealth of experience that both former Hungarian champion Peter Kusztor and Spanish climber David Lozano bring will be invaluable on Sunday, with Brit Sam Brand and Veronese Umberto Poli completing a balanced team.

Team Novo Nordisk at GP Kranj, Sunday 23^rd July:

Sam Brand (GBR, 31)

David Lozano (ESP, 34)

Peter Kusztor (HUN, 38)

Matyas Kopecky (CZ, 20)

Andrea Peron (IT, 34)

Umberto Poli (IT, 26)

Filippo Ridolfo (IT, 21)

Photo credits: Sprint Cycling