Dutchman heads back to Danish squad
Following four seasons working as a sports director with Team High Road/HTC, Tristan Hoffman has said that he is excited about the chance to take up the same role with Team Saxo Bank, a squad he has a long experience of.
The former professional competed with the team (then called CSC) from 2000 until March 2005, when a bad crash brought his career to a close. In August of that year he began working as a sports director with the team, but then moved to the rival Team High Road for the following season. He has remained there since, but is now glad to return to the Danish setup.
“It’s a pleasure to be back with Bjarne (Riis) and the rest of the team. It’s like coming home after having been away to gain experience and expertise,” he said. “The team building was a very nice way of becoming acquainted with everyone – new and old team members. I liked the different kind of sports and the surfing part was a brand new experience as well. Doing such a thing with all staff members creates a splendid connection which will be remembered throughout the year.”
Hoffan is far from the only addition to the team in 2011, with a large number of riders coming across from other teams and replacing those moving to the Luxembourg Pro Cycling Project. The inbound competitors include Alberto Contador, Jesus Hernandez, Daniel Navarro and Benjamin Noval of the Astana team, Volodymir Gustov (Cervélo Test Team), Nick Nuyens (Rabobank) and Matteo Tosatto (Quick Step). Those staying include the highly promising Aussie Richie Porte, fellow Grand Tour rider Chris Anker Sorensen, sprinters Baden Cooke and Juan Jose Haedo, plus the Manxman Jonny Bellis.
While Contador’s prospects are uncertain at the moment due to his positive test for Clenbuturol at this year’s Tour de France, there are plenty of extablished pros and promising young riders to suggest the team should have a successful twelve months ahead.
“I think we have a fantastic team for 2011. It’s not just a bunch of big names and the team is not revolving around one specific cyclist,” said Hoffman.
“My job is to get the maximum out of everyone and to let them feel good in the developing process. It’s really going to be so exciting to follow the new riders and I think there’s a lot of things to be looking forward to as a Saxo Bank-SunGard fan.”
He is likely to have a particular interest in helping the team have the best possible performance in Paris-Roubaix. He finished second in the race in 2004 and was fourth two years earlier. His victories include the Dwars door Vlaandern, Paris-Bourges and Veenendaal-Veenendaal.