Dauge looks forward to return to racing on ‘home roads’ at Tour de la Mirabelle
24 May 2023
After crashing out of the Tour du Rwanda and breaking his scaphoid back in late February French climber Lucas Dauge is set to make his return to racing for Team Novo Nordisk at the Tour de la Mirabelle in France on Friday.
Italian stalwart Andrea Peron will lead the team alongside the experienced former Hungarian champion Peter Kusztor with Spanish climber David Lozano and Dauge providing valuable support.
“We know from previous years how tough the Tour de la Mirabelle is,” said General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “The parcours is a real challenge and the race will only get harder as we head down from Verdun to the hills and mountains of the Vosges. After Rund um Köln on Sunday the boys are ready for more hard racing.”
“We’re happy to welcome Lucas back, especially to a race on home soil. He’s been working hard on his recovery, and it will be good for him to get some much-needed racing rhythm in his legs again.”
Italian Umberto Poli and Manxman Sam Brand complete the lineup for the three-day race that celebrates its 20th edition and will cover close to 500km over hilly terrain across the northeastern French Rhine lands before ending in Damelevières.
“I’ve had a long time without racing after Rwanda and the crash,” said Dauge. “I broke my scaphoid and without surgery it takes time to fully heal so it’s been quite a long recovery. I had to ride on the rollers for the first few weeks and then over last 6 weeks I’ve finally been able to complete a good block of training and my wrist is completely healed.”
“I am really happy to be back. The feeling is good, my form for sure needs some racing and I will give everything I can to make the most of these next three days. It’s also special for me to be racing in France, the Tour de la Mirabelle is always hard but that part of the country is beautiful and I’m excited to be returning in a home race.”
Team Novo Nordisk at Tour de la Mirabelle, 26th-28th May:
Sam Brand (GBR, 32)
Lucas Dauge (FR, 26)
David Lozano (ESP, 34)
Peter Kusztor (HUN, 38)
Andrea Peron (IT, 34)
Umberto Poli (IT, 26)
Stages:
Friday 26th May, Stage 1: Verdun – Pont à Mousson, 160.2km
Saturday 27th May, Stage 2: Saint-Amarin – Corcieux, 158.5km
Sunday 28th May, Stage 3: Tomblaine – Damelevières, 178.3km