Yesterday the new Cannondale-Garmin team was presented in New York. For manager Jonathan Vaughters the new team is a fusion between Italian tradition and American innovation. "It remains our philosophy to help young riders to develop."

The show revolved entirely around the merger theme. "It was a complex process to make one team from two teams," Jonathan Vaughters said. "A few months ago we were fighting against each other, now we are together.

"When we were sitting around the table with Cannondale, we reached the conclusion that we could make each other stronger. Our structures are now much better and more professional.

"It is now important that we forge a group with different nationalities and cultures. On the one hand we have an Italian cycling culture that is 150 years old and very traditional. On the other hand, there is the young American cycling culture focused on innovation."

A few weeks ago the riders met for a sailing week at the British Virgin Islands. "They had to learn to communicate with each other if they all ended up in the water," Vaughters said.

Daniel Martin is one of the leaders of Cannondale-Garmin. The Irishman had bad luck last season, crashing in the final turn in Liege-Bastogne-Liege and hitting the deck in the Giro team time trial in the Giro, but ended up with a win in Lombardy.

"That boost was needed, especially in view of the changes in the off-season. Now we can start the new year with confidence," Martin said.

In addition to Martin, Andrew Talansky is one of the leader. "I always want to do better than the year before, but with the victory in the Dauphiné, the bar is much higher now. I have unfinished business with the Tour." In 2014, he abandoned the French race after multiple crashes.

The youth will also get a chance at Cannondale. With Dylan van Baarle, Robert Zepuntke, Matej Mohorič, Davide Formolo and Davide Villella, the team has lots of talent on the roster. "It remains our philosophy to give a chance to young riders," Vaughters said.