Roger Kluge (IAM) has only positive things to say when asked about the 2015 season – both on the track and on the road. "I am very happy with my year," Kluge told radsport-news.com.

On the road the spring classics were the first highlight. "We didn’t win anything there but with Martin Elmiger’s tenth place in Flanders and fifth place in Roubaix we can be very pleased," said the 29-year-old who had his share in the success of his Swiss teammate as he worked as a loyal domestique.

After a break from racing of nearly three weeks, Kluge made his debut the Giro d'Italia. In Italy he worked as lead-out man for Matteo Pelucchi who narrowly missed out on a stage win with a second place. And when the Italian left the race, Kluge even got the chance to play his own card which culminated with a third place in the final stage in Milan.

Kluge brought his good Giro form to the next races. In June, he won the prologue at the Ster ZLM Toer (2.1) which brought him the yellow jersey for a day. "After five years, I was finally able to once again win a race," he said.

Before he focused on the second half of the season and led Pelucchi to two stage wins in the Tour de Pologne, the track was the top priority. "The victory in Dudenhofen laid the foundation for my start at the first World Cup in Cali where I perhaps then laid the foundation for Rio 2016 with a very good second place in the Omnium and also two new personal best times. In Rio I want to change my fourth place from London to a medal,” said Kluge who is a German medal candidate.

After the successful season, Kluge will not change much in the Olympic year. "In the classics we finally want to get involved in the front, and I'll hopefully do my part," he said. Furthermore, he will again lead Pelucchi out in the sprints and hopes to lead his captain to a stage win in a Grand Tour.

"If I am selected for Rio, the Olympics will top my list In the summer," said Kluge who also has his eyes on the Worlds in October. "In Qatar I would like to not only do the team time trial with IAM but this time also the road race with the national team because we have clearly the chance to win this World Championships."