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Head coach of Estonian team Jaan Kirsipuu said on Thursdays’ press conference that Estonian team is ready to defent the title. „It’s true that Martin Laas is not at his best because of some injury problems last month, but we have other secret weapons too,“ said Kirsipuu.

„If it is going to be a group finish tomorrow, it doesn’t necessarily have to be me who is going for the win at the end,” said last years’ winner Martin Laas himself. “My physical form is not as good as last year”.

Last year Estonian Mihkel Räim of Cycling Academy was the teammate of Martin Laas. This year good friends are racing against each other in different teams. „I think I will not talk to Martin at the dinner table anymore,“ said Räim in a joking manner. „Our team is actually good and my boys are ready to help me to a good positsion. I have to be the one to bring us the best possible result“.

Presumably the four strongest teams this year are four pro-continental teams - Verva Activejet Pro Cycling Team from Poland, Novo Nordisk from USA, CCC Sprandi-Polkowice also from Poland and Gazprom-Rusvelo from Russia. Rusvelo has been very good this season already winning a stage at Giro d’Italia.

First stage of Tour of Estonia will be 190km from Tallinn to Tartu. Second stage is 144km long and will be on the streets of Tartu.