Australian rider Michael Rogers joins Team Saxo-Tinkoff.
The 32 year old all-rounder from New South Wales has agreed to a contract for the coming two seasons, adding significant strength to Team Saxo-Tinkoff’s roster.
Michael Rogers, a former TT World Champion, has on many occasions shown his great strength in both time trialing and climbing, which make him a super domestique. This season, riding in the service of Team Sky, he proved this by playing a key role in Bradley Wiggins’ Tour de France victory.
But Michael Rogers also showed in a superb 2012 that he is capable of making results on his own. He was fourth overall in the Tour Down Under, and following a strong kick off to his season he added a third spot in Criterium International, a fifth place in Tour de Romandie, a win in Bayern Rundfahrt and a second place finish in Critérium du Dauphiné.
“I think Michael’s palmares pretty much speaks for itself. He is without a doubt a World Class rider, a very strong time trialist, 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 in Grand Tours and to secure results on his own,” team owner Bjarne Riis says.
Michael Rogers is also looking forward to the challenges awaiting at Team Saxo-Tinkoff.
“I’m very excited to be joining an extremely strong and experienced squad at Team Saxo-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,” Michael Rogers says.
