Slovak Ján Valach will be the newest addition to Tinkoff Team’s group of sports directors ahead of the 2016 season. As a former rider and sports director of, among others, the Slovakian national team, Valach brings with him valuable experience and high technical knowledge to bolster Tinkoff Team. 

Following the team’s meeting in Croatia, where Ján Valach was introduced to the members and soon to be colleagues of Tinkoff Team, the 42-year old Slovak shares his thoughts on the move.

“I am very excited for this opportunity and my clear aim is to do whatever I can to help the team succeed next season. Since my retirement as a rider in 2010, I’ve been the manager and sports director of the Slovakian Dukla continental team, so for me to make the move to the World Tour and Tinkoff Team is a big step. I look forward to working closely with the riders, the group of sports directors and the entire team next season. During the last days at our Croatia team meeting in Poreč I’ve had the chance to meet the squad and the three riders that I’ll coach and follow in 2016”.

Ján Valach rode professionally from 1999 to 2010, after which he immediately took up the role as sports director for Slovakia’s Dukla pro cycling team, where he equally held the position as team manager. Additionally, Valach has played a pivotal part in the Slovakian national team as sports director. In September 2015, he was part of Peter Sagan and the Slovakian team’s victory at the World Championship Road Race. Now, after a five-year spell on national and continental level, Valach will move to the World Tour and Tinkoff Team.

“For me it’s a matter of taking the experience that I have from managing various aspects on a smaller team with me into my new role as sports director on Tinkoff Team. The setup here is big and professional and I hope that I can contribute with the knowledge that I’ve gained since I started riding my bike in 1982”, adds Ján Valach, who worked with current Tinkoff Team riders Michael Kolar and Erik Baška during their time at team Dukla.

Head Sports Director Steven de Jongh elaborates on the reasons for bringing Valach to the team.

“Together with the rest of the sports directors, I’m glad to welcome Ján to Tinkoff Team. I believe that he has showed that he’s a very capable sports director, several of our riders have worked with him before and they all felt confident with him behind the wheel. Ján will bring his experience as a former rider and current sports director in technical, tactical and training related areas. Ján will be introduced to the World Tour level during the 2016 season by some of the more veteran sports directors, while he will get the responsibility for a group of three riders”, states Steven de Jongh.