After two years at Rabobank, Matti Breschel is hoping to return to his best form after signing a contract to head back to the Saxo Bank Tinkoff Bank team he left at the end of 2010, just after finising second in the world road race championships.
Breschel is a clear talent, as evidenced by that result and also his third place in the 2008 worlds, plus stage victories in races such as the Tour de Suisse, Tours of Denmark and Luxembourg and the Volta a Catalunya. However he’s had two lean seasons due to injury and feels its time for a change.
"At the end of the day, the choice wasn't that difficult, even though I have enjoyed being part of Rabobank,” he said. “Personally I have great ambitions, and I'm convinced Bjarne and the team are the right ones to help me move on.”
Breschel was part of a large exodus from Saxop Bank in 2010, although unlike riders such as the Schleck brothers, Fabian Cancellara and Jens Voigt, he didn’t go to Leopard Trek. There were tensions between Riis and some of those riders over their departure, but things were better with the Danish rider.
“Over the last two years I have always kept in contact with Bjarne, and now, when I had the opportunity to come back, I wouldn't miss it,” he said. “After all, this team is where I feel at home. I'm super happy to be able to return to Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank, and I'm very much looking forward to the coming season.”
Now 28 years of age, Breschel showed a return to the top of the podium recently when he landed a stage in Vuelta a Burgos. Earlier this year he was third in Gent Wevelgem and ninth in the Tour of Flanders. Riis know he’s got potential for more, and is pleased to welcome him into the fold once again.
“Ever since Matti left the team a couple of years ago, I have always hoped for him to come back to the team for obvious reasons. I know Matti very well, both as an athlete and as a person, and I know, what he capable of on the bike,” he said.
“In peak form I have no doubts that he has the potential of winning a spring classic or the worlds one day, and together we will pursue this goal. It will take a whole lot of hard work and commitment, but Matti is eager to start over again after some years marked by injuries. I can only say I'm looking forward to start working with him again.”