What to expect this year
Russian financier Oleg Tinkov is a difficult man to please – just ask Alberto Contador after the Spaniard received a Twitter lashing from the team’s co-owner during last year’s Tour de France. Tinkov looked likely to pull out of sponsoring the team, but instead bought the team from Bjarne Riis, and Contador et al will now be hopeful of restoring some pride to the team after a largely disappointing 2013.
Roman Kreuziger’s Amstel Gold Race victory shows the team is still capable of big results, while Irishman Nicolas Roche – who has very ambitious plans for this season – is keen to kick on this season too after his Vuelta stage victory last year. Contador is chasing a Tour-Vuelta double, and the opportunity to prove his critics – who believe his best years are behind him – wrong.
Who’s new for 2014?
Michael Kolar (SVK) from Dukla Trencin-Trek, Jesper Hansen (DEN) from Team Cult Energy, Michael Valgren Andersen (DEN) from Team Cult Energy, Nikolay Trusov (RUS) from Cycling Team de Rijke-Shanks, Ivan Rovny (RUS) from Ceramica Flaminia-Fondriest
Who has left?
Anders Lund (DEN) retired, Timothy Duggan (USA) retired, Jonathan Cantwell (AUS) to Drapac, Jonas Aaen Jorgensen (DEN) to Riwal, Mads Christensen (DEN) to Cult Energy Vital Water, Benjamin Noval (ESP) retired, Takashi Miyazawa (JAP) to Vini Fantini-Nippo.
Riders to watch
Nicolas Roche – His father, famously, won the Triple Crown in 1987 but this could be the year Roche junior steps out of the massive shadow with big victories of his own.
Alberto Contador – El Pistolero insists he is not past it, and to prove it he is after victories at the Tour and Vuelta – with a favourable route, the latter is certainly not beyond him.
Roman Kreuziger – Amstel Gold Race victory and a strong ride as super domestique to Contador at the Tour de France show the Czech is capable of big results.
