3. Michael Rogers (Tinkoff-Saxo)
3. Michael Rogers (Tinkoff-Saxo)
The 2014 season could have worked out very differently for Australian ace Michael Rogers and for some time he must have felt it was going to.
But after being cleared of doping, when contaminated meat was blamed for an adverse finding of clenbuterol in October 2013, Rogers seized his second chance in incredible style.
Having realised how quickly his cycling dream could have been taken from him, he vowed to free himself from his shackles and relished the free reign it brought.
Though still the ever hard-working domestique for Alberto Contador, when the chance arose for individual victories, Rogers took them in style.
His fearless descending and time trial skill powered him to a solo breakaway win on stage 11 of the Giro d’Italia, while it was his climbing which came to the fore on stage 20.
And with a Tour de France stage win to boot, and a new two-year contract, 2014 ended up being quite the year for the born-again 34-year-old.
Michael Rogers in 2014
Race wins: three
Grand Tour stage wins: Giro d’Italia x2, Tour de France x1
Champagne moment: His audacious attack on stage 11 of the Giro d’Italia proved to be perfectly timed as he gave a masterclass in descending to claim his first career Grand Tour stage win.