UAE Team Emirates duo Louis Meinjtes and Diego Ulissi are are prepared for an “intense week” at the Tour de Romandie that starts Tuesday, April 25 with a Prologue time-trial in Aigle, Switzerland, before finishing five days later in Lausanne.

The Tour De Romandie takes place throughout the Romandie region, in the French-speaking part of Switzerland and is known for aiding those riders that can maintain high speeds for long periods of time.

The race began in 1947 and the winner and most of the top-ten finishers are usually expected to be excellent time-trialists.

The race also has a number of challenging climbs, which UAE Team Emirates’ Louis Meintjes is hoping will allow him to make an impression.

“It’s important to assess my form and competitiveness on short stage races such as the Tour de Romandie,” said Meintjes. “It will be great if I’m able to perform as well as I did at the Vuelta al Pais Vasco.

“The second stage is one of the key stages, so I hope that I’ll be able to rely on good legs made strong after participating in two of the Ardennes Classics.”

Joining Meinjtes will be team-mate Diego Ulissi who has been the team’s standout performer at the Ardennes Classic.

“Tour de Romandie’s courses are demanding, so it will be an intense week,” said the Italian. “Those who are aiming for a top result in the General Classification must come from the Ardennes Classics with good form.

“I am looking forward to the race and I believe that my own form will aid me in achieving a good result for the team, our sponsors and for myself by earning some points for the World Tour ranking.”