In a complete turnaround from earlier this season, Team Saxo Bank owner Bjarne Riis is currently experiencing plenty of demand from riders and others who wish to be part of his lineup in 2011. Prior to his confirmation that his team would continue, the Dane was facing the departure of several key riders from the team, as well as rumours that others would jump ship if sponsorship would not be found soon.
Rider such as Jakob Fuglsang made repeated public statements that they needed to know where they stood, and if the team would have sponsorship in 2011. Fuglsang ultimately decided to leave, as did Andy and Franck Schleck, Stuart O’Grady, Jens Voigt and others.
However the tide has turned and now Riis is firmly back in the driving seat. He disclosed at the start of August that he had signed Alberto Contador and, just over a week later, it was confirmed that the Spaniard’s right hand men Benjamin Noval, Jesus Hernandez and Daniel Navarro would also be heading to the team. He has said that there is plenty of demand for places on the squad.
“There are many people who want to come,” he revealed to Sporten.dk. “Things are under control. We are working on it at present and in the near future we will begin to let some names out,” he said.
Those names are expected to include the replacements for sporting directors Kim Andersen and Thorsten Schmidt.
Riis announced Contador’s signature on August 3rd, the same day that he made the surprising announcement that the team’s new head sponsor would be Saxo Bank. The backer had previously stated that it wanted to end its association this year, but once it became apparent that the triple Tour winner was coming on board, the decision was taken to stay.
It will join up with Sungard to provide the financial clout behind the team and with Contador there, the future is looking far brighter than before. As a result, the demand to be part of the squad has shot up.
One of those who is keen to gain a place is Michael Rasmussen, the double Tour de France King of the Mountains. Riis has said that he is considering giving his fellow Dane a contract, but nothing has been decided.