Yesterday you could live chat with Bjarne Riis directly from team Saxo / Tinkoff bank hotel in Liege. There were a few interesting facts.
http://ekstrabladet.dk/sport/cykling/article1783478.ece
I've picked a few of the most interesting and translated them here:
Comment by Mary Solbjerg
Who do you think will win this year!?
Bjarne Riis: Hi Mary!
It's a difficult question to answer. I think the biggest favorite has to be Cadel Evans, since he won last year. Of course, Wiggins also a big favorite, but he still has to prove that he can go the distance and survive the harsh hills in a three-week race
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Comment from Niels
I think the tour this year has a lot of young, exciting and promising riders and am personally even to see Rabobank's Steven Kruijswijk and last year's young gun, Pierre Rolland .. Which young riders, will you watch out for this year?
Bjarne Riis: Hi Niels!
I believe very much that Kruijswijk can run a good Tour. Rolland have to go out there and prove what he delivered last year, because we have not seen so much of him since.
A third bid could be
Taaramae.
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Comment by Michael
What new riders, we will get to see on your team
Bjarne Riis: Hi Michael!
Cancellara, Nibali, Sagan, Schleck brothers and Fuglsang. They are certainly all been cited interchangeably by the media and experts who have an opinion about how my cycling team should look like.
I can not tell you how the team will look like, but I can guarantee that we will have a strong team for next year and years ahead. My goal is again to become the world's best cycling team.
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Comment by Thomas
Hi Bjarne, you have a young Pole named Rafal. He should have been in the Giro as GC rider, but was injured. Then I heard that he was in the Tour. Is he a future rider standings and when do you think we see what he can
Bjarne Riis: Majka is still a young rider, but I am convinced that he is someone who can run the standings in the future. Unfortunately, he had a very bad year, but I am sure that he gets strong again in
the Vuelta.
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Comment by Martin Heinecke
Can Nick Nuyens do something at some early stages? they end up as little as far as I know. he has a good finish
Bjarne Riis: I think in any case Nick is very, very motivated, especially here in the beginning, where he is at home. The end Sunday is perhaps not exactly tailored for him, but one should never say never.
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Comment by Andreas
Will it not be a boring tour this year with defensive driving?
Bjarne Riis: Hey Andrew!
The Tour of course, would probably have been more exciting if Alberto and Andy had been there. I think quite clear that Wiggins will ride defensively, because this is his chance. Some of the other suitors are forced to drive more aggressively because they do not have Wiggins' strength on the time trials.
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Comment by Peter
Hi Bjarne ... with a Russian sponsor must then be Russians on the team? And then I'll just say great respect for that you'll keep coming back ... it is impressive and inspiring.
Bjarne Riis: Thank you, Peter.
Whether there will be Russians on the team, I do not know yet. But now it is even the case that it is me who decides who should be on the team and the most important thing is that we have a strong team.
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Comment by Ole
Hi Bjarne. Who is the most inspirational rider you run against / or worked with?
Bjarne Riis: The most inspirational rider, I've been running for may be Fignon. His approach to things and the way he was looking at was admirable.
The most inspiring opponent must have be Indurain. He was so elegant and had so much class. A good sportsman.
Of those I have worked with, I can mention Alberto for his dedication.
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Comment by Sonny
Which rider on your team has surprised you the most this season in spite of the few victories?
Bjarne Riis: Hey Sonny!
If I have to highlight one, it could be Christopher Juul, who has shown he has a unique ability to sacrifice for his team captain. Often we see that it's not a matter of course for a rider. I remember in Argentina in January that Alberto after the race came to me and said "where have you picked him?" He was impressed that one so young rider had so much energy and perspective to do things by themselves. It is something that helps to make a rider indispensable on a cycling team.
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Comment from Michael Hjort.
Bjarne, Our newly minted champion Sebastian Lander. Is he an option on your team? and How do you predict his future?
Bjarne Riis: Hi Michael!
I think it is wildly positive that he has gotten so good track of his progress this year. This has meant that he has received many impressive results, most recently with DM-title. Can he continue the development, he will undoubtedly be an interesting topic for us, too.
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Comment by Mikkel
Has Denis Menchov not been forgotten as one of this years favorites, he is a great TT rider?
Bjarne Riis: Hi Mikkel!
Yes absolutely. He may well prove a good outsider, but it will require him to have stability in the mountains, and that he is promoting is already on the first mountain stage.
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