Rafal Majka (Team Tinkoff Saxo)

Polish climbing specialist Rafal Majka delighted home fans at the 2013 Tour of Poland by wearing the leaders’ jersey for three stages before finishing fourth overall and topping the points classification. His performances in his home country were just part of a hugely impressive 2013 for the 24-year-old Pole however, suggesting a big year ahead for the Tinkoff-Saxo man.

Majka’s consistent showing throughout the Giro d’Italia – including a hugely impressive fifth in the mountainous stage 18 time trial – saw him battle for the white jersey with Colombian climbing ace Carlos Betancur (Ag2r-La Mondiale). While Betancur snatched back the jersey in the penultimate stage, Majka was able to take heart from his seventh place overall, and continued his love affair with the Italian mountains with second at Milano-Torino and third at the Giro di Lombardia to end his season.

Unsurprisingly, Majka appears set to ride the Giro again next year, and though he may find himself riding in the service of Nicolas Roche, a place on the podium may not beyond him.