Flexpoint readies for Giro

Team Flexpoint is looking forward to pressure-free Giro d'Italia Femminile this month, with team manager Jean-Paul van Poppel saying the team has already had a successful season. Despite the squad's "beautiful" victories to date, van Poppel declared the team won't rest on its laurels when the Italian race starts this Friday.

"We still have ambitions," he said. "I'm satisfied if we can reach the podium spot and can gain a stage. Last year we succeed in that with Susanne Ljungskog. She lost the Giro in the final 500 metre of the race to Edita Pucinskaite."

Having already won the Tour de l'Aude in France, Ljungskog will lead the squad at the women's Giro, and is the team's best hope at achieving a result at the nine-stage event.

Team Flexpoint's Giro d'Italia Femminile roster: Loes Gunnewijk (Ned), Luise Keller (Ger), Susanne Ljungskog (Swe), Loes Markerink (Ned), Mirjam Melchers (Ned), Trine Schmidt (Den)