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Rogers to lead Tinkoff-Saxo at Tour Down Under

By Cycling News

published 22 December 2014

2002 winner aiming for top 5 finish

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Stage 16 was sweet for Michael Rogers in the 2014 Tour de France(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

The Tour Down Under peloton on the road to Angaston.(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)

Michael Rogers (Tinkoff-Saxo) talking about his form heading into the week.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich)

Michael Rogers enjoys a trip to the podium(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)

Giro d'Italia double stage winner Michael Rogers will lead Tinkoff-Saxo during the team's season-opener at the Santos Tour Down Under in January, the team announced on Monday.

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"I'm excited to return to Adelaide for my 11th Santos Tour Down Under," Rogers said in a statement released by the team. "I'm bringing an enthusiastic and committed Tinkoff-Saxo team with the aim of getting the season off to a good start."

The team will also send Christopher Juul-Jensen, Manuele Boaro, Jesper Hansen, Michael Kolar, Pavel Brutt and Evgeny Petrov to support Rogers, who won the overall in 2002.

Director Lars Michaelsen said he is bringing a roster of riders who will be ready to take responsibility in the race.

"I feel that we have a strong group of riders who are very motivated to support Michael to the fullest," Michaelsen said. "We come with ambitions aiming for a top-five with Michael, but we also know that it’s very early in the season and there are a lot of unknown factors."

Tinkoff-Saxo team for 2015 Tour Down Under: Michael Rogers, Chris Juul-Jensen, Manuele Boaro, Jesper Hansen, Michael Kolar, Pavel Brutt abd Evgeny Petrov.