Team Lotto-Soudal's primary sprinter Andre Greipel has confirmed that he will be beginning his season at the Volta ao Algarve.
Greipel has taken a different approach to his build up to the Tour in 2015 by skipping the Santos Tour Down Under and starting his racing season later in February 9th at the Mallorca Challenge.
"It's a pity I won't go to Australia, because I always liked being there and I set very good results," Greipel said.
"But I'm 32 and If I want another approach this is the moment to try, we'll see what it gives.
"December is more relaxed now, I have done less kilometres compared to the previous years because it's not necessary to be in top shape (for the Tour Down Under). Other years, the condition was often less good in March, I want to avoid that by building up gradually to the spring."
Greipel won more races than anyone else in the peloton in 2014, but faced stiff competition from fellow Germans Marcel Kittel and John Degenkolb.
Accompanying Greipel will be Frenchman Tony Gallopin.
Gallopin found success in the 2014 Tour de France when he wore the Maillot Jaune and took a stage win.
The 26-year-old will be using the early season racing to build his form for the Flemish Classics.