Last year, Sony Ericsson sensationally triumphed in the PT Team Rankings with magnificent performances throughout the whole season. Now as the ProTour prepares to set off to the 2012 season, the manager of the Swedes previews the upcoming Tour of Qatar with us:
Q. The flattest stage-race on earth, the Tour of Qatar, is fastly aproaching. Who do you think will impress the sheiks this year? I think this is Sam Bewley's race to lose. He will dominate the sprints.
Q. This race is known for its opening short TTT and strong echelons during the flat stages. Where do you think the race will be decided? The TTT will be important but not decisive as it is too short to create any gaps that a top sprinter cannot take back. More crucial is being at the front and not ending up at the wrong side of any splits during the race as it is here a lot of time can be lost. But ultimately everything depends of how the sprints turns out and I believe that they will decide the winner of this race.
Q. What can we expect of your team in the desert? Are you here just to meet your schedule, are you relying on a specific rider or are you planing to 'pull an Auber'? It would be really nice to do as well as Auber did last season. I nearly beat them in the TTT then and I'm fielding a slightly stronger team this season so I am aiming at a top finish in the TTT. Then I have brought with me Alessandro Ballan to use his power on the flats to make an impact on the race. I have also Cameron Meyer for the sprints but he is still finding his way and learning how to act in the sprints.
Q. Sony Ericsson is the reigning champion of the ProTour. Do you think you'll be able to successfully defend the title? I doubt it, as the competition is tougher this year and some of my riders is getting a bit too old. There is a chance though but it relies on my leaders performing in every race, so it is down to having that extra luck. But I am aiming for a top 5 and anything lower than that would be disappointing.
Q. Last season Trofimov just missed the top of the PT Individual Rankings to the three time champion Damiano Cunego. With the news of the italian skipping the Giro this year, what are Trofimov's chances? I think the chances for Trofimov is really good. He is still one of the best hilly riders who can TT which is gold for many of the small tours and then he has that little punch which is so valuable at the end of a stage. I also think that the Tour de France will suit him very well this season. Cunego will still be the favorite though.
I think you should keep a separate thread for the manager 'interviews' or post them in the race discussion thread to keep them distinct. Just my opinion though.
fenian_1234 wrote:
I think you should keep a separate thread for the manager 'interviews' or post them in the race discussion thread to keep them distinct. Just my opinion though.
You're right I should have thought of that before. I'll be posting the interviews in the discussion threads from now on.
