San Luis Obispo, California, 29th July 2011 – HTC-Highroad will be looking for a top-flight performance by Peter Velits in the Clasica San Sebastian one-day race in Spain on Saturday.

“The goal is to get Peter on the podium,” says HTC-Highroad’s sports director Allan Peiper, “He had a great last week of the Tour, came out of that pretty well.”

“The final two laps of the Clásica over the Jaizkebel climb suit him and he’s pretty fast in a sprint, too.”

“He’s got good morale as well, which is what counts for a lot in a race like the Clasica that comes straight after the Tour.”

Key attacks take place along a double ascent of the Jaizkebel climb in San Sebastian and Peiper says the aim is to keep Velits as protected as possible in the early section of the Clasica.

“The rest of the team will be making sure we’ve got riders in any big early breaks.”

“But really our strategy is going to consist of getting Peter to the foot of the Jaizkebel in good condition and ready to try his luck.”

HTC-Highroad for Clasica San Sebastian: Matt Brammeier (Ire); Jan Ghyselinck (Bel); Bert Grabsch (Ger); Patrick Gretsch (Ger); Hayden Roulston (NZ); Peter Velits (Slv).