Rogers to lead Tinkoff-Saxo at Tour Down Under

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Giro d'Italia double stage winner Michael Rogers will lead Tinkoff-Saxo during the team's season-opener at the Santos Tour Down Under in January, the team announced on Monday.

"I'm excited to return to Adelaide for my 11th Santos Tour Down Under," Rogers said in a statement released by the team. "I'm bringing an enthusiastic and committed Tinkoff-Saxo team with the aim of getting the season off to a good start."

The team will also send Christopher Juul-Jensen, Manuele Boaro, Jesper Hansen, Michael Kolar, Pavel Brutt and Evgeny Petrov to support Rogers, who won the overall in 2002.

Director Lars Michaelsen said he is bringing a roster of riders who will be ready to take responsibility in the race.

"I feel that we have a strong group of riders who are very motivated to support Michael to the fullest," Michaelsen said. "We come with ambitions aiming for a top-five with Michael, but we also know that it’s very early in the season and there are a lot of unknown factors."

Tinkoff-Saxo team for 2015 Tour Down Under:  Michael Rogers, Chris Juul-Jensen, Manuele Boaro, Jesper Hansen, Michael Kolar, Pavel Brutt abd Evgeny Petrov.