Following an excellent start to the second half of the season, with strong performances in both the Spanish classics and Denmark, and after a week of rest, Team Polti VisitMalta is ready to return to intense competition: a double front from tomorrow through Sunday, between the Czech Republic and Norway.

Both the Czech Tour and the Arctic Race of Norway will be significant appointments, both included in the ProSeries calendar, with Team Polti VisitMalta also making its debut in the Norwegian race. In total, thirteen riders will be competing. In the Czech Republic, the Bais brothers will race alongside Fernando Tercero, Fabrizio Crozzolo, Fran Muñoz, Thomas Pesenti and Alessandro Tonelli. In Norway, six riders will be at the start: Ludovico Crescioli, Dario Giuliano, Giovanni Lonardi, Mirco Maestri, Andrea Mifsud and Andrea Pietrobon.

The Czech Tour will start from the capital with a stage that appears favorable for sprinters, then continue with three uphill finishes. Climbs of varying length and gradient, but all suited to climbers and destined to shape the overall classification.

In Norway the script will be similar, with two stages that, at least on paper, present greater opportunities for sprint finishes and two others with uphill conclusions that will be decisive for the final standings.

WORD FROM THE SPORTING DIRECTORS

Giovanni Ellena: "The Czech Tour will test above all the consistency and agility on short climbs. Our main contenders will be Pesenti and Tercero, who will have the support of experienced riders Tonelli, Mattia and Davide Bais; not forgetting Muñoz, coming off an excellent Tour of Denmark, and young Crozzolo. We will try to give our best against three WorldTour teams and numerous well-equipped Professional squads".

Francesco Gavazzi: "At the Arctic Race of Norway we bring a competitive six-man squad capable of competing on any stage. The first half of the race will be more straightforward, with two sprint finishes where we will best support Lonardi, who showed improvement in Denmark. The second half of the race will be the toughest, where we will race for the overall classification primarily with Crescioli but also with Giuliano and Mifsud, who will be able to wear the Maltese national champion's jersey. Captain Maestri will manage the situation on the road, while Pietrobon returns from a period of rest and could be a key element on combative and intermediate terrain. The level will be very high and this is a strong incentive to confirm the good form we have been showing for some months".