Tinkoff-Saxo line up for 2014

Tinkoff-Saxo launched it 2014 team on Tuesday on Gran Canaria, and reaffirmed Alberto Contador's aim of winning the Tour de France in July.

Perhaps in advance of Contador winning the Tour's coveted yellow jersey, Tinkoff-Saxo's 2014 kit has taken on a very yellow theme now that Oleg Tinkov's bank has taken over as lead sponsor. The squad's Specialized bikes will also carry across the new yellow and blue artwork.

"The atmosphere in the team is fantastic," Contador said via a team press release. "We're a very close group. Everyone's clear what the main objectives are and we're all heading in the same direction." 

Those objectives for Contador are to claim his sixth Grand Tour title at the Tour de France, and then take a stab at winning the Vuelta a Espana.

Irishman Nicolas Roche will head up Tinkoff-Saxo's first Grand Tour outing of the season - the Giro d'Italia, which kicks off in Ireland.

"I'm looking to hit peak form for the Giro," said Roche. "It's going to be a great atmosphere in Belfast and Dublin. The number of Irish supporting me at the Tour is incredible and I can't wait to experience even greater support in Ireland." 

Tinkoff-Saxo are in action in the opening WorldTour race of the 2104 season, the Tour Down Under in Australia, starting on Tuesday, January 21.

Tinkoff-Saxo team launch on Gran Canaria

Alberto Contador

Tinkoff-Saxo 2014 roster

Alberto Contador

Roman Kreuziger

Ivan Rovny

Oliver Zaugg

Matteo Tosatto

Bruno Da Silva Pires

Pawel Poljanski

Rafal Majka

Chris Anker Sørensen

Daniele Bennati

Michael Mørkøv

Matti Breschel

Nicolas Roche

Evgeny Petrov

Manuele Boaro

Karsten Kroon

Marko Kump

Jesper Hansen

Sergio Paulinho

Jesus Hernandez

Rory Sutherland

Christopher Juul

Jay McCarthy

Michael Valgren

Michael Kolar

Nicki Sørensen

Nikolay Trusov 

Related links

Oleg Tinkov: Sponsors should own cycling teams