CyclingQuotes.com uses cookies for statistics and targeting ads. This information is shared with third parties.
ACCEPT COOKIES » MORE INFO »

Every day we bring you more pro-cycling news

"We’ve given thorough attention to every detail and I think these efforts will pay off. I feel ready to take up the challenge and help Alberto to reach the goal we have in Ruta del Sol, which is basically to win”.

Photo: Sirotti

ALBERTO CONTADOR

RIDER PROFILE
|
NEWS

EVGENI PETROV

RIDER PROFILE
|
NEWS

JESUS HERNANDEZ BLAZQUEZ

RIDER PROFILE
|
NEWS

MATTEO TOSATTO

RIDER PROFILE
|
NEWS

MICHAEL VALGREN

RIDER PROFILE
|
NEWS

SERGIO PAULINHO

RIDER PROFILE
|
NEWS

VUELTA A ANDALUCIA

RACE PROFILE
|
NEWS
16.02.2015 @ 19:20 Posted by Emil Axelgaard

Tinkoff-Saxo’s first European race of 2015 is imminent, as the team is gearing up for this season’s beefed up, mountainous edition of Vuelta a Andalucía Ruta Ciclista del Sol starting Wednesday in southern Spain. Ruta del Sol features one of the toughest routes of the early season and will produce a six-stage clash between several Grand Tour favorites including Tinkoff-Saxo’s Alberto Contador.
 
DS Steven de Jongh, who will direct Tinkoff-Saxo’s Andalusian campaign, tells it’s no secret that the team will be looking for success in the GC.
 
“We look forward to the first race of the year for Alberto and we definitely aim at a top spot in the GC. Tinkoff-Saxo goes to Ruta del Sol with that goal. Alberto is ambitious about this race and wants a good start in a season in which he has very high ambitions. The goal is to have a squad with good teamwork and I feel confident we can achieve this”, says Steven de Jongh, who is backed by his Spanish captain:
 
“After many training passes, I want to compete, which is essentially what I like. I’m focused on the Giro and Tour, which will be a big challenge, but I look forward to Ruta del Sol and to compete with Chris Froome, who is one of my biggest rivals. I have to see how advanced he is in his preparations, but it’s nice with an early battle, because cycling needs these clashes”, comments Alberto Contador.
 
Contador will lead a strong group consisting of Ivan Basso, Jesús Hernandez, Sergio Paulinho, Evgeny Petrov, Matteo Tosatto and Michael Valgren.
 
Route favors the climbers
Ruta del Sol is characterized by being a race for the climbers, and this year’s exceptionally difficult edition is no different. The riders will tackle two mountain stages, one on stage 3 to Alto Hazallanas with a 16.7km finishing climb and again on stage 4, where the specialists will fight on the final, steep 5km climb to Alto de Allanadas.
 
However, the GC favorites will already compete on the first day of the race, as the split stage 1B brings a short, highly technical time trial of 8.2 kilometers.
 
“Out of the race's six stages, three will be decisive for the GC: the time trial and the mountain stages on day 3 and 4 with uphill finishes. We know it’s going to be an exciting and challenging race, as we have some strong opponents including Chris Froome”, comments Steven de Jongh.
 
Basso excited about debut
For Ivan Basso, Ruta del Sol will not only be the first race of the season but his debut race in the Tinkoff-Saxo colors. He’s dedicated to perform his best in support of team captain Alberto Contador.
 
“Since the moment I joined Tinkoff-Saxo, my ambition has been to reach the start of the season with all forces available to provide my best for the team. I'm very happy to kick off the season by the side of our extraordinay captain, Alberto Contador. I think we are at a very good level right now, as a group, and personally I feel very well”, says Ivan Basso and continues:
 
“I am convinced we have given our best this winter. We’ve given thorough attention to every detail and I think these efforts will pay off. I feel ready to take up the challenge and help Albert to reach the goal we have in Ruta del Sol, which is basically to win”.

Steven de Jongh is excited to see the dedicated Italian in action.
 
“Ivan Basso will make his debut for Tinkoff-Saxo at Ruta del Sol. The goal for Ivan here in Andalucía is to be a valuable domestique for Alberto and contribute towards our overall target. Ivan didn't have a very good season in 2014, since he wasn't in top shape. However, he has been putting in a strong effort during the last few months and has been training very hard. I feel confident he's in a form to perform well”, finishes de Jongh.
 
For Basso, Contador, Hernandez and Paulinho Ruta del Sol will mark the start of the racing season, while Valgren, Petrov and Tosatto have already seen action in Dubai. Ruta del Sol starts Wednesday with two split stages.

MORE NEWS:

VIEW SELECTED

Bycykling 101: Navigering i byens gader og cykelvenlige... 27.11.2023 @ 12:11The Best Danish Cyclist To Bet On At 2022 Tour De France 13.01.2022 @ 15:262022 Upcoming Tournament Overview 03.01.2022 @ 09:45Best Place to Find Stand-Up Paddleboards 16.06.2021 @ 08:16What are Primoz Roglic’s Chances to Win 2021 Tour de Fr... 17.03.2021 @ 08:37Amazing victory by young champion Sarah Gigante 04.02.2021 @ 14:21Three reasons why cycling is one of the best ways to ex... 28.09.2020 @ 12:03Why do businesses use meeting room managers? 14.09.2020 @ 13:42Five things that you can do, if you want to gain more f... 20.08.2020 @ 15:38One for the road 09.06.2020 @ 15:25List of CyclingQuotes previews 07.05.2020 @ 13:20Blue Energy: room for all interests 26.08.2019 @ 12:56Get your daily dose of exercise at home 08.07.2019 @ 10:443 good advice to be able to afford your favorite bike 25.02.2019 @ 12:32Cycle through gorgeous landscapes 22.10.2018 @ 21:41Balance Your Economy and Diet and Start Saving Money 08.10.2018 @ 11:18Stay Safe: 3 Helmets That Can Keep Your Head Protected... 20.07.2018 @ 07:59Planning to bet on Tour De France - Bet types and strat... 24.05.2018 @ 14:18Basics of cycling betting 25.10.2017 @ 13:10Bauer moves to ORICA-SCOTT 28.08.2017 @ 10:45End of the road for CyclingQuotes 08.01.2017 @ 16:00Rui Costa confirms Giro participation 07.01.2017 @ 12:55Van Avermaet: I am not afraid of Sagan 07.01.2017 @ 09:45Unchanged course for E3 Harelbeke 07.01.2017 @ 09:32Jenner takes surprise win at Australian U23 Championships 07.01.2017 @ 08:53No replacement for Meersman at Fortuneo-Vital Concept 06.01.2017 @ 19:14Barguil with two goals in 2017 06.01.2017 @ 19:06More details about French Vuelta start emerges 06.01.2017 @ 14:16Kristoff to start season at Etoile de Besseges 06.01.2017 @ 14:10Ion Izagirre announces schedule for first year at Bahrain 06.01.2017 @ 12:40JLT Condor optimistic for Herald Sun Tour 06.01.2017 @ 09:19Haas leads Dimension Data trio in fight for Australian... 06.01.2017 @ 09:15Sagan spearheads Bora-hansgrohe at Tour Down Under 06.01.2017 @ 09:12Henao and Thomas lead Sky Down Under 06.01.2017 @ 09:09Bauer crowned New Zealand TT champion 06.01.2017 @ 08:33Van der Poel ready to defend Dutch title 05.01.2017 @ 21:00Pantano ambitious for first Tour with Trek 05.01.2017 @ 20:41Landa with new approach to the Giro 05.01.2017 @ 20:36Sunweb Development Team sign Goos and Zepuntke 05.01.2017 @ 20:27Dumoulin confirms Giro participation 05.01.2017 @ 20:19Bauer targets victories in Quick-Step debut 05.01.2017 @ 20:16Gaviria and Boonen lead Quick-Step in San Juan 05.01.2017 @ 20:13Team Sunweb presented in Germany 05.01.2017 @ 20:09ASO take over major German WorldTour race 05.01.2017 @ 11:01Team Sunweb unveil new jersey 05.01.2017 @ 10:54Reactions from the Australian TT Championships 05.01.2017 @ 08:27Dennis defends Australian TT title 05.01.2017 @ 08:21Scotson takes back to back U23 TT titles in Australia 05.01.2017 @ 08:15Utrecht on track to host 2020 Vuelta 04.01.2017 @ 18:28Pre-season setback for Talansky 04.01.2017 @ 17:56Kristoff: It's not impossible for me to win in Rou... 04.01.2017 @ 17:49Boom close to first cyclo-cross win in LottoNL debut 04.01.2017 @ 17:40UAE Abu Dhabi make late signing of Arab rider 04.01.2017 @ 17:36UAE Abu Dhabi unveil new jersey 04.01.2017 @ 17:30BMC unveil race schedule 04.01.2017 @ 17:21

Currently no news in this list

Simone VELASCO
29 years | today
Rolf HOFBAUER
38 years | today
Sondre Bergan MOEN
36 years | today
Bob JONKHEER
45 years | today
Chloe SHOENENBERGER
27 years | today

© CyclingQuotes.com