Matti Breschel ready for leadership role at Rabobank
Joining Rabobank for the 2011 season is Danish rider Matti Breschel, who has said he is ready to assume the role of team leader when his new outfit enters the classics next spring.
Breschel turned professional in 2005, when he joined countryman Bjarne Riis' Saxo Bank team.
After several seasons of riding in support of Swiss time trialist Fabian Cancellara, who is now also said to be leaving Saxo Bank, Breschel is set to lead several of Rabobank's younger riders in next year's classics events.
"The emphasis is more or less on the Classics and I'll do roughly the same programme as I’ve done in previous years," the 26-year-old told
Cyclingnews, adding that he is ready for the added responsibility that comes with leading his team.
"It’s the right time for me to be a leader. I’ve felt ready to try something new and Rabobank have given me that opportunity to be one of their main guys for the Classics."
Breschel claimed his first classics title when he won this year's edition of the Dwars door Vlaanderen event. He also rode well in Gent–Wevelgem and Ronde Vlaanderen, but had to pull out of both races due to mechanical failures.
Consulted Rolf Sorensen before switching
The Tour de France stage-winner also revealed that he took the advice of a former Danish Rabobank rider, Rolf Sorensen, before deciding to join Erik Breukink's team for next season. Sorensen rode for Rabobank between 1996 and 2000.
"I just felt ready to try something new and now I’ve got the chance. Rolf was important in all of this. He gave me good advice. He always spoke positively about Rabobank and was one of the reasons why I came. When I got into cycling he was at Rabobank and
he was one of reasons I wanted to be a pro."
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