Sagan looking to maintain form through to Tour de France

Peter Sagan will be backed for stage wins at the Tour de Suisse this year as he looks to build on his GC victory in California with the Tour de France looming.

The Tinkoff-Saxo rider won the points jersey in Switzerland in 2014 during a rich vein of form that saw him crowned top sprinter at four successive completed stage races, starting at Tirreno-Adriatico and culminating with the Tour de France's green jersey.

This season, despite a degree of struggle in the classics, he has managed to defend his red jersey at Tirreno-Adriatico in March before taking overall honours at the Tour of California two months later.

>>>On-bike footage of Peter Sagan’s blistering win at the Tour of California (video)

"We're looking to keep the momentum we had in May, while focusing on the build-up towards the Tour," said Tinkoff-Saxo sports director Sean Yates.

Meanwhile, Rafal Majka, the team's main contender for GC honours, will be looking towards stage five to Sölden, which features a summit finish at 2,669m above sea level, but will go into the race under "no pressure", according to the Briton.

"The most important factor is that he builds shape ahead of the Tour, where he will be a very valuable support to Alberto [Contador] in the high mountains," said Yates.

On-board with Cofidis in the Critérium du Dauphiné TTT