Matti Breschel has no regrets over untimely Saxo Bank exit
Danish rider Matti Breschel has said he does not regret leaving Bjarne Riis' Saxo Bank team ahead of the 2011 season.
Breschel seemed to have made an untimely departure when Fabian Cancellara, another one-day specialist, announced his departure from Bjarne Riis' team in September, one month after Breschel's deal with Dutch outfit Rabobank was finalised.
With Cancellara gone, Breschel would likely have led the team in many of the Classics events during the spring of 2011, but the Dane said he did not regret deciding to leave rather than waiting out Cancellara's departure.
"When Cancellara left the team, Saxo Bank would have been the perfect squad, but I believe my decision was right, and I'm looking ahead now," the 26-year-old told Danish website
sporten.tv2.dk about his transfer. "It would have been difficult with the world's best one day rider on the team, so that was why I switched."
This year, Cancellara won the Tour of Flanders for Saxo Bank, while Breschel claimed first place in the Across Flanders event.
Breschel also won a stage and the points classification at the Tour of Denmark, but his achievements were eclipsed by Cancellara, who won the individual time trial at the Tour de France before claiming his second title at the UCI Road World Championships
in September.
Knee surgery could alter priorities
For 2011, Breschel, who is due to undergo knee surgery that could keep him out until April, could have to shift his priorities away from the Classics, which take place during the spring.
The Dane added that he would welcome a return to Riis' team, which apart from his departure could suffer from the absence of former riders Cancellara, and Andy and Frank Schleck next season — particularly if the doping allegations against new signing Alberto
Contador result in a suspension.
"I would certainly return if they wanted me. I would like that."
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