Castelo de Vide, Portugal – Injuries and illness will sideline Colin Joyce and Ruben Guerreiro for the Axeon Hagens Berman Cycling Team's next race.
The pair will not start Volta ao Alentejo, a five-day stage race in Portugal which begins Wednesday. Breathing problems forced Guerreiro to withdraw midday through GP Liberty Seguros on Sunday. Joyce suffered bruised ribs when he crashed late in the race and he also crashed during Saturday's stage. Assistant Director Jeff Louder said Joyce was also coming down with a similar illness that kept Latvian Under 23 national road champion Krists Nielands from starting on Sunday.
"Colin needs to let his body heal," Louder said. "Losing him and Ruben changes things up a little as they were both riding well and we were looking forward to seeing how they could do in a longer stage race. But this also opens up the opportunity for Will Barta to start. He has been showing good form lately."
Another rider who crashed last weekend – Irish Under 23 national road champion Eddie Dunbar – is doing better, Louder said. The team's roster for Volta ao Alentejo will also include Logan Owen. The American makes his Axeon season debut after earning a bronze medal in the U.S. national cyclocross championships in January.
"Logan is motivated and has been training well since cross season ended," Louder said. "This race should suit him with plenty of fast finishes after hard, hilly days. He will be an added complement to the strengths of the whole team."
Volta ao Alentejo Roster (March 16-20): Riders: Will Barta (USA), Greg Daniel (USA), Eddie Dunbar (IRE), Tao Geoghegan Hart (GBR), Krists Neilands (LAT), Logan Owen (USA), Tyler Williams (USA). Sport Director: Jeff Louder (USA).
