Michael Rogers leaves Team Sky for SaxoBank
Michael Rogers has joined SaxoBank-Tinkoff ahead of the 2013 season after two years with Team Sky.
Michael Rogers has signed a two-year deal with SaxoBank-Tinkoff
The three-time world time trial champion was a key member of the Tour de France squad which helped Bradley Wiggins to overall victory.
Rogers has previously been linked with Michele Ferrari and, while the 32-year-old has admitted working with the banned doctor, he maintains that he has not used performance enhancing drugs. Team Sky have refused to comment on whether the 32-year-old signed the anti-doping charter which led to the departure of directeur sportif Steven de Jongh and race coach Bobby Julich.
Rogers joins SaxoBank on the back of a season which, as well as helping Wiggins become the first Briton to win the Tour, saw him pick up a number of strong individual results, including fifth at Tour of Romandie, overall victory at Bayern Rundfahrt and second behind Wiggins in the Critérium du Dauphiné.
“I think Michael’s palmares pretty much speaks for itself,” said SaxoBank team boss Bjarne Riis. “He is without a doubt a world class rider, a very strong time triallist who is also capable of climbing, and on top of that he is a great guy.
“Surely he will add strength to our team throughout the season and I believe he will be a very important rider for us, both when it comes to helping Alberto [Contador] in Grand Tours and to secure results on his own.”
Rogers added: ”I’m very excited to be joining an extremely strong and experienced squad at SaxoBank-Tinkoff for the coming seasons.
“I feel I can have a positive effect particularly during stage races ranging from just a few days right through to the Grand Tours. I certainly look forward to the many new challenges that lay ahead.”
