Bet on Cycling

Team Manager Bjarne Riis was forced to rebuild his team after the departure of several key riders.

Alberto Contador’s future in the team has still to be decided. With him the team will be Tour de France contender. Without him the team will have to lower their hopes and expectations in grand tours and rely on young Australian Richie Porte for overall success.

Porte proved he has the ability and temperament to be a team leader by his impressive debut season in 2010. He wore the pink leader’s jersey at the Giro d’Italia for three days, finished seventh overall and won the best young rider competition.

A total of 11 riders have moved on from Saxo Bank, including Time Trial World Champion Fabian Cancellara and Tour de France runner-up Andy Schleck, but Riis has replaced them with some intelligent signings for 2011.

Spain’s Jesús Hernandez, Daniel Navarro and Benjamín Noval form Contador’s inner circle but are all good climbers, while Ukraine’s Volodoymir Gustov brings vital stage race experience and Italy’s Matteo Tosatto’s ability to read a race is second to none. Belgium’s Nick Nuyens is hungry to re-launch his career with success in the classics, while Britain’s Jonny Bellis continues his comeback from injury. Argentina’s Juan José Haedo will again be a contender in sprint finishes.

Australia’s David Tanner had to fight to keep his career in track on 2009 but now has a great chance to confirm the potential he showed as an Under 23 rider. He will be mentored by sprinter Baden Cooke and Directeur Sportif Bradley McGee.

«I strongly believe in our new beginning. It’s been a pleasure to meet the new riders and it really made me proud to see how the ‘old’ riders worked hard to help welcome the new riders,» Riis said.

«I think we have already created a strong team spirit, and I’m sure that this work makes a difference for us during races. I’m also deeply impressed with my entire staff – from sports directors to mechanics and soigneurs. I honestly don’t remember that we have been better prepared for a new season.»