As the team management is finalizing the squad for the 2016 season, 14 riders have contracts that run into next year. As existing riders with a clear knowledge of the team philosophy, this group will form an essential and deeply-rooted part of Tinkoff-Saxo’s roster ahead of the next season.

For Steven de Jongh, Head Sport Director of Tinkoff-Saxo, these 14 riders constitute part of the backbone of the team: "These extremely talented riders need no introduction. Their palmares speaks for itself, as they are among the who's who of the professional peloton, with some of them household names"

“Together with some of the soon-to-be-announced extensions, these riders, obviously, form the core group upon which we will build the squad that will tackle the next season's challenging goals. Whether 2015 is their first year with Tinkoff-Saxo or they have been with us for many years, I'm happy and privileged to head such a select group of riders"

"Alberto Contador will be our team leader and will focus on the Tour de France in 2016 while Peter Sagan will be the man that will captain Tinkoff-Saxo in the classics, among other races", concludes de Jongh.

The Tinkoff-Saxo riders that already have contracts for 2016 are, in alphabetical order: Ivan Basso (ITA), Daniele Bennati (ITA), Maciej Bodnar (POL), Pavel Brutt (RUS),Alberto Contador (ESP), Robert Kiserlovski (CRO), Roman Kreuziger (CZE), Rafal Majka (POL), Sergio Paulihno (POR), Michael Rogers (AUS), Ivan Rovny (RUS),Juraj Sagan (SVK), Peter Sagan (SVK) and Michael Valgren (DEN).

Tomorrow, August 13, Tinkoff-Saxo will unveil the first names of the current riders whose contracts will be extended into the upcoming season. Further extensions as well as new acquisitions will be announced during the second half of August.