The Herald Suntour announced that both EF Education First and Israel Startup Nation will participate in the 2020 Games next Wednesday.
Mitchelton Scott and Team Sunweb have already confirmed their participation in the 2.1 ranked stage race, bringing their WorldTour participation in line with last year's four top teams.
Mitchelton-Scott's Simon Yates will conclude his three-week Australian race block with this race before heading to Race Torquay and the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. Meanwhile, Israel Startup Nation will feature Canadian climber James Piccoli, while EF Education First will have newcomer Nielson Powles and local racer Mitch Docker.
"Our leader is Nielson Powless and he is supported by local James Whelan. We have a really strong team and it's good to have young players coming over from Europe, especially those who want to prove themselves." [It's a flat stage from Nagambie to Shepperton. It's a flat stage from Nagambie to Shepperton. If the wind picks up, it will be a tough day.
"Then the final stage in Melbourne is another great stage. The final stage in Melbourne is also a great stage. The other stages in between, I'll be in a support role.
The 2020 Herald Sun Tour will be Israel Startup Nation's second participation in the race, the last being in 2018, when Nathan Earle won the mountains prize. The team's step up to the World Tour means they are expected to take the initiative in the race, said Ben Perry, a continental rider for the Israel Cycling Academy.
"Being a World Tour team, we have to go head-to-head with the other strong teams," Perry said. This means more time control and fewer chances for breaks." We need to support our climbers and guide them deep into the critical climbing stages.
"We have a strong team, from pure sprinters to pure climbers.
"You'd expect Mikel Reim to sprint and James Piccoli to climb, but you never know who will step up and be the leader this time around.
The 2020 Herald Sun Tour will take place February 5-9. The Women's Herald Sun Tour will be held February 5-6.
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