The Saxo Bank team has announced that Alberto Contador’s right hand men Benjamin Noval, Jesus Hernandez and Daniel Navarro will also transfer to the team from the current Astana setup, backing their compatriot in his bid to win the next two Tours de France.
Climbers Hernandez and Navarro plus all-rounder Noval were an important part of Contador’s success this year and helped pave the way for his attacks in the mountains. The triple Tour winner deliberately left it late to take the yellow jersey, knowing that his team was not as experienced as others in the race, but the riders did everything he asked of them and have now been rewarded with two year contracts.
Navarro was very impressive in his driving at the front on the climbs and is looking forward to helping his friend and team-mate take another yellow jersey. “I'm very excited about coming to Saxo Bank-SunGard and I'm happy that Bjarne shows great confidence in me,” he said. “Here, I will be able to help the Team and Alberto to another Tour de France victory. I'm looking forward to working with the staff and to meet my new teammates and experience Bjarne's way of working. I am convinced that we will have a very strong team.”
Astana was, at times, a chaotic setup, with considerable delays in payment being experienced in 2009. Riis is known to run a tight shop and this kind of structure and organisation is something that Noval said that he is looking forward to.
“Working with Riis makes me calm because their team has always had a reputation for being well-structured with clear ideas,” he explained. “I hope it will be a fruitful experience for all of us and personally, my goal will be to help the Team in every race I do and to work with Riis.”
Hernandez also spoke of the same strong management and order, as well as his enthusiasm to continue riding for Contador. “This move is perfect for me,” he said, with some satisfaction. “I get to keep riding with Alberto and I get to start working with a serious team with a lot of discipline. I'm very excited to start working with Bjarne as he has proven to be a great sports director. I'm convinced that we will achieve great triumphs together.”
Contador has said that one of his dreams is to try to win three Grand Tours in one season. He admits that he doesn’t know if the goal is an achievable one, but will explore it and determine if he has a chance to become the first rider in the history of the sport to pull off what would be a stunning feat.
To do so, he would need the strongest possible backing and therefore his compatriots’ input would be vital. They will also team up with the existing powerful riders on the squad, with the aim of making Saxo Bank-Sungard one of the best teams on the flat and in the mountains.
The full composition of the team is still being determined, but it is known that Chris Anker Sorensen will remain on board. World time trial champion Fabian Cancellara has yet to confirm if he will stay put or move, but it is certain that the Schleck brothers, Jens Voigt, Stuart O’Grady and Jakob Fuglsang are heading elsewhere.
There’s a lot of change going on, but Riis is sure that his new signings will be good ones. “Having met the three strong and loyal riders, it was a natural and almost obvious move to sign with them,” he explained. “They have shown great stamina and loyalty during this year's Tour de France along with a great will to corporate and sense of team spirit.”
More details about the 2011 setup are expected by the end of the month, if not before.