It has been a long road back for Jack Haig since he suffered multiple wrist fractures on a cobbled stage of the Tour de France. The crash meant the end of the 2022 season, but now he is ready to return as leader of the Bahrain-Victorias team in Paris-Nice.

The Australian, who finished on the overall podium at the 2021 Vuelta a España, returned to racing last month at the Vuelta a Andalucía's Ruta Ciclista del Sol, supporting teammates Mikel Landa and Santiago Buitrago, who finished second and third He finished 11th overall. But now it is time for him to regain his best racing form for the Giro d'Italia, and to take his place among the leaders again in the eight-stage "Race to the Sun."

"I have a strong team here and will be fighting almost every day for stage wins. My goal is to finish on or near the podium with Jack and have a good week."

Haig has lined up in Paris-Nice three times in the past, with his best finish being fourth overall in 2019, and the 29-year-old now has Tour de France favorites Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo Visma) and Tadej Pogachar (UAE Team Emirates) lining up in La Verrière on Sunday. will face significant competition in the tournament.

"The race, as usual, has a very strong start list, starting with two flat stages before the long 32km team time trial, which is very important for GC. In a team statement, Poitschke said, "The last two stages, where the overall podium will be decided, will be really hard mountain stages."

Bahrain Victorious will have a lineup of Gino Madar, Wout Poels, Kamil Gradec, Philippe Macejuk, Jonathan Milano, and Fred Wright for the March 5-12 race.

"Paris to Nice will welcome Jacques as GC leader. Gino and Wout will help on the climbs, but could also fight for the stage win. For the sprint we have Johnny and top class helpers Philippe and Camille."

"Fred is an asset in both situations, on the hard stages and on the flats. Of course, he can also get into the breakaway, or even go for a stage win from the breakaway."