Convinced riders will step up a level after departure of team leaders
Former Cervélo Test Team directeur Philippe Mauduit has moved to Saxo Bank SunGard for the 2011 season and, having spent time with the riders at the recent training camp in Fuerteventura, believes that there will be little problems for the team in dealing with the departure of many of its top riders this year.
This is partly due to the signing of other strong competitors, and also due to the fact that those who were playing support roles before are ready and willing to step it up a notch.
Brothers Andy and Frank Schleck, Fabian Cancellara, Jacob Fuglsang, Stuart O’Grady, Jens Voigt and Matti Breschel are amongst those leaving the team, with all bar Breschel heading to the Luxembourg Pro Cycling project. Amongst those remaining are the promising young riders Chris Anker Sorensen, Richie Porte, Jonny Bellis, plus older competitors like Baden Cooke, Juan Jose Haedo, Gustav Larsson and Nicki Sorensen.
Mauduit has little doubt that they’ll rise to the challenge. “The new team is a great mix of experienced riders and young ones. I’m sure that these talented guys will make their mark on the rankings in the years to come,” he said. “During the camp, we saw quite a few guys who have been working so hard for their leaders in the past years now taking the lead and taking responsibility; it’s always good to see cyclists maturing physically and mentally [and] to be able to take such a heavy weight on their shoulders.”
Like those riders, Mauduit is ready for a fresh start. Moving to a new team and a different outlook is something which should prove stimulating to him. He sounds impressed by things he has seen up until now.
“Saxo Bank-SunGard is one of the few historical teams who have been able to lead the world rankings for several years. This team is different in the way that it’s managed,” he explained. “It was the first team in the history of the sport with an internal doping control which is now used as a model by the international sports organizations. The team goals are always known by all team members and clear for everyone. It’s a huge difference from what I have known in the past.”
He emphasises the notion that those working for the team are treated in an equal way, with nobody getting a bigger share of attention than the others. “There is no difference between mechanics, cyclists, masseurs, doctors and so on. We are all Saxo Bank-SunGard members and get the same amount of consideration from the management which makes this team unique,” he stated. “Saxo Bank-SunGard has always been one step ahead of other teams because of its openness towards new ideas and technologies; I’m excited about being part of the future development of the team.”
The first competitive outing for the squad will be in the Santos Tour Down Under next month, where Porte and several others will get their seasons underway.