Tinkoff-Saxo is pleased to announce that the team has extended the contract with Evgeny Petrov. The 37-year old experienced Russian has inked a one-year deal keeping him on the team ahead of the 2016 season. 
 
Evgeny Petrov notes that he’s pleased to continue riding for team owner Oleg Tinkov and looks forward to a new season supporting the team leaders.
 
"I'm very pleased to renew with Tinkoff Team for 2016. I have a long relation with Oleg Tinkov and it's always a pleasure for me to ride for his teams. I started back in 2007 and since 2013 I’ve been part of Tinkoff-Saxo. I look forward to supporting our leaders next season in all the races the team will need me. If I am given the chance to have a leading role in a smaller race, I would also be delighted. However, if I were to choose my key strength as a rider that would be my team spirit. I am proud to help in whatever role the team considers the most appropriate”, comments Evgeny Petrov after renewing his contract.
 
“The Giro is a special race for me and I consider it to be probably the most exciting of the season. I finished seventh in 2007 and won a stage in 2010 and I would definitely give it a go again in 2016 if the team thinks I have a place in the squad”, adds Petrov.
 
Evgeny Petrov turned professional in 2001 for Mapei and had two seasons on Oleg Tinkov’s Tinkoff Credit Systems in 2007 and 2008. Petrov has been a part of Tinkoff-Saxo since 2013 and has offered great support to the captains in several Grand Tours as well as achieved personal results including a solo win on the queen stage of the 2014 Tour of Austria.
 
Commenting on the decision to offer Evgeny Petrov another stint on Tinkoff-Saxo, Head Sports Director Steven de Jongh notes that experience plays an important role on a team.
 
“Evgeny is set for his 16th season as a pro rider and he’s one of the grounded and seasoned guys on our squad that can pass on experience to the younger riders. His approach to training and preparation is serious - that’s important at this later stage of a rider’s career and during this season it has meant that Evgeny has played an important role in supporting our team leaders in especially the hillier or more mountainous one-week stage races. We are very confident in Evgeny’s level of motivation and the fact that he expressed a strong desire to stay on the team is also something of great importance”, explains Steven de Jongh.