It’s been a long time since Baden Cooke took the Maillot Vert in the Tour de France – over six years, to be precise – but the Australian has perhaps his best chance to once again chase top results following his move to the Saxo Bank team.
He’s been hampered in recent years by team difficulties, including the exclusion of the Unibet squad from the events run by the Grand Tour organisers. He should however be in the running to take part in some very big events in 2010.
New team-mate Chris Anker Sorensen has a good feeling about Cooke’s move to the team. “I knew little about Baden Cooke in advance,” he said, speaking about the pre-Christmas Saxo Bank training camp. “The last few years have not gone well for him, but I think he will get a resurgence next year. I was certainly impressed with his training efforts while we were there, he is very motivated for the Tour Down Under. So one can hope for some wins to get the season started.”
Writing on his online blog at TV2.dk, the Danish climber revealed what races he is likely to do in 2010. “I also have my race programme for next year,” he stated. “However it is only a temporary programme – it can change rapidly depending on form, or the lack of it. I will start in the Trofeo Mallorca and then I have a couple of French races before I ride Paris-Nice. Afterwards, I will do the Volta a Catalunya, then I have four weeks of training.
“This period allows a lot of training so I can be as fresh as possible for the Giro. Before that I will do Flèche Wallonne and the Tour de Romandie. As you have probably heard, it’s on the cards that I will have a free role at the Giro. It will be a big goal for me and I am excited to try it.”
Sorensen also hopes to ride the Tour de France again, where he would support the Schleck brothers as they try to win the race for the first time.