“A big block of solitude training” is what Michael Rogers calls the 57 days, where he has mostly spent his working days training and pedaling in the mountainous terrain around his home in Ticino, Switzerland. Tinkoff-Saxo’s trusted capitaine de route is now back at racing in Volta a Catalunya and happy to ride alongside his teammates.
 
After returning from an early season stint in his native race of Tour Down Under, Michael Rogers hasn’t had to pin his race number. Instead he has been laying down the hours and watts in preparation of the big goals of 2015, where he’s once again expected to play the crucial part as close companion of Alberto Contador. However, with the start of Volta a Catalunya, Rogers has returned to racing with his teammates.
 
“I’m quite excited to be back actually. It’s safe to say that now is the time to come together and the Giro is not far away, which is of course a big goal for both the team and for Alberto as well. I’ll follow him into battle at the Grand Tours, so for me Catalunya is first and foremost a race, where I’m joining the GT team with the likes of Alberto and Ivan. It’s important that we get together and spend time also in between stages to create strong ties before racing intensifies in May”, tells Michael Rogers, who’s now in the midst of battle in Volta a Catalunya.

With Rogers aiming to take part in both the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France, his focus has been on carefully building his shape – and not necessarily through racing.
 
“I’m very happy with the big block of training I’ve done. I’ve spent many hours alone on the roads around my home and I’m looking forward to seeing where I’m at. I learnt last year that I don’t necessarily need to be racing the entire year and solitude training can be very productive, as you have time to work on specific areas. These days with the use of our SRM power meters, you can work in a very detailed fashion that mimics race situations”, explains Rogers.
 
Besides his role as a cornerstone support of Contador, the 34-year old Tinkoff-Saxo rider is equally eyeing the possibility to create great personal results as in the successful 2014-season, where he conquered two solo wins in the Giro and a memorable victory in Tour de France.
 
“No doubt that we have a strong team and setup for the Grand Tours, where my main role will be to support Alberto to the fullest. And as a team, it’s no secret that we’re looking for results. But I hope to get some chances again this year. I love to win, all cyclist do, as it is an amazing feeling. I believe I’ll get a few days of freedom, when Alberto doesn’t need me and there I’ll certainly look for opportunities”, finishes Michael Rogers.