Nicolas Roche joined Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank
Nicolas Roche has penned a deal with Bjarne Riis side, Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank to continue his professional pursuit for the 2013 season.
The cyclist marked his professional debut with Team Cofidis in 2005 and stayed with the team by the end of 2006 season.
He penned a two-year deal with Team Credit Agricole for 2007-08 seasons and joined Team Ag2r-La Mondiale through 2009-12 seasons.
Nicolas is having a terrific season and it is believed that the Danish team has offered him a lucrative offer which he could not deny.
He finished second during the Irish National Elite Road Race Championships and occupied the third overall position at the Irish National Elite Time Trial Championships 2012.
Roche occupied the tenth overall position at the Tour de Suisse, 12th at the Tour de France, 19th at the Tour of California and claimed the 20th overall spot at the Paris-Nice 2012.
The 28-year-old holds as many as eight Grand Tour appearances under his belt including one Giro d’ Italia, four Tour de France and three Vuelta a Espana participations to his credit.
While commenting on his first conversation with Nick Gates, Roche cited, “Those few minutes that we spent talking about the possibility of me joining his team almost gave me goose bumps”.
The cyclist was first approached by the team’s Sports Director Nick Gates earlier this year, who succeeded in signing him with Riis team.
“While the sport’s governing body and the various anti-doping bodies are doing more and more to clean up cycling and the holes in the net are closing up”.
“For years, my dad has been telling anyone prepared to listen that I need a strong, charismatic directeur sportif who can take me in hand and has the knowledge and years of experience to help me progress,” Roche said.
“So it’s hardly surprising to hear that he thinks I made a good decision in joining the Danish squad”.
The Danish side is having a disappointing season after losing its star rider Alberto Contador for most of the season and is now optimistic to regain its lost glory in the 2013 season.
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