Coming out of his suspension , Michael Rogers enjoyed a very successful 2014 season, winning his first ever Tour de France stage and two other at the Giro d’Italia. As the three Grand Tour challenge remains the hottest topic in the cycling-related media, being a Tinkoff-Saxo insider the 34-year old Australian shared his thought on that matter, as well as on a personality of the flamboyant team owner and his own goals for the upcoming season.

Reluctant to share a definite opinion about Oleg Tinkov, Rogers admitted that his way of thinking about cycling is certainly refreshing and should positively influence a development of the discipline.

“I think it is encouraging. How I feel about Oleg is he is bringing a different way of thinking into cycling that all of us in the sport are not used to. I think he brings a perspective that most people in the world of cycling probably find quite hard to see,” Rogers told CyclingTips.

“Some people call him ignorant, some people call him flamboyant, but it is my feeling that cycling needs to really leverage the people who are on the side of the road on the first three or four days of the Tour.”

“In order to touch the hearts of all those people, I think we need exciting people in cycling. The way Oleg is going about it might be wrong, but it could be right too.”

“I have been encouraged also by the other teams, who have jumped in on Oleg’s offer. It is creating positive vibes within the sport. I think that is a fantastic thing.”

Asked about the three Grand Tour challenge proposed by Russian team owner, the 34-year old Australian expressed his support for the idea but pointed out to several potential difficulties and threats it provides.

“I believe…I believe there would have to be a race programme, a training programme that would be very specialized. I read that Patrick Lefevere mentioned that the reduction in length of the Giro and the Vuelta could be a solution.”

“Whether it turns out is a big ask [remains to be seen]. I think it is very tough to go in with a plan to do all three. It is very tough.”

“It’s about planning once you come out of the Giro…obviously the Giro and Tour is very possible, and a lot of riders you see have done that [ridden both – ed]. But [as regards the Vuelta] I think you would really have to take it as it comes after the Tour, and would have to make the decision about the Vuelta based on a range of feelings and conditions.”

The Tinkoff-Saxo rider admitted that he wasn’t sure whether Alberto Contador, who has already confirmed that he would be tackling the Giro-Tour double next year, or anyone else is capable of riding all three Grand Tour events at a competitive level.

“Having such an ambitious plan always poses a risk of doing all three Grand Tours at a very ordinary level instead of doing two or one perfectly.”

Asked about his personal goals, Rogers revealed that he would like to ride the Giro-Tour double again, but nothing will be decided before the team meeting at the end of October.

“I have got a few things going on. I have been thinking about it a bit lately. I haven’t really sat down and done any real planning yet. Obviously with the season still going the team’s management is still kind of heavily involved in that, in Beijing and the last few races.”

“But I have got some general ideas. I would like to do the Giro/Tour again. I really did enjoy that this year. As a rider I have always performed very well in May. I would definitely like to go back to the Giro, and Alberto is very keen. And we have a job still to complete at the Tour.”

“But outside those races, everything is quite open. The one thing is I don’t want to be racing too much.”