After several rumours linking them to the squad, Team Tinkoff-Saxo have finally confirmed the signings of Ivan Rovny and Nikolay Trusov. The Russian duo will return to the highest level after riding for continental teams in 2013.

One of the first signs that Oleg Tinkov was going to take over Team Tinkoff-Saxo from Bjarne Riis was the fact that Russian riders Ivan Rovny and Nikolay Trusov were both spotted at the team's training camp in Gran Canaria in November. While the new owner of the team has been official for several weeks now, it has, however, taken some time for the team to confirm that the two Russian riders will indeed ride in the team's colours in 2014.

Now the team has sent out a press release to confirm the signings. With those two addition, the team will have three Russian riders on the roster as Evgeni Petrov will continue on the team.

Rovny was once regarded as a highly talented climber who became junior world champion in 2005. He turned professional with Tinkoff Credits Systems in 2006 and rode there until he joined Katusha in 2009.

He rode in Radioshack colours in 2010 and 2011 but as his progress had stalled, he stepped down a level with Rusvelo in 2012. This year he has taken a further step down the ladder as he has been part of the continental Ceramica Flaminia team which is acting as a feeder squad for Team Tinkoff-sAXO.

His change appears to have done him good as he has had one of his best seasons ever in 2013. He has been a perennial contender in the hardest Italian one-day races and was second in the Giro della Toscana, third in the Giro dell'Appennino, fourth in the Tre Valli Varesine and  GP Industria & Artigianato, fifth in the Coppa Agostoni and sixth in the Trofeo Matteotti.

Trusov first showed his talents on the track and was regarded as a future sprinter when he turned professional with Tinkoff Credit Systems in 2007. In 2009, he joined Katusha where he rode for three years, taking his biggest win on a stage of the Volta a Catalunya in his first year at the Russian team.

Like Rovny, he has seen his progress stall and he was also part of Rusvelo in 2012 before moving down to continental level in 2013. While riding for the Dutch Cycling Team De Rijke, he failed to make much of an impact but has earned himself a contract at the WorldTour level.

"I believe Ivan and Nikolay will be valuable members of our team," Riis said. "Both of them attended our recent training camp in Grand Canaria, and I got to know them as two great guys.

"Ivan is coming of a strong season on continental level. I think he deserves another shot at World Tour-level, and I expect he can be a great asset for us in hilly races and a stage races like Giro d'Italia. Nikolay is a big and strong guy, and I see him as a rider, who could fit into our classic team and also a rider, who has the ability to take part in a sprinter's train. I look forward to work with them."

Both riders are happy to get a new chance to perform at the highest level.

"I am pleased to have another chance at a big team," Rovny said. "I believe, we have the best bikes and equipment available and on top of that a great group of staff, managers and directors to work with us. And knowing Oleg Tinkov, I believe this team will be very succesful."

"For two years I wasn't part of the World Tour, so naturally I'm just thrilled that I'm now with Tinkoff-Saxo," Trusov said. "For me it's a big chance to return to the big race, and after being part of the first team camp I'm convinced we have the setup and structure needed to achieve the team's goal to become the best in the world in the coming years. I look very much forward to get the new season started."

In an earlier interview, Trusov indicated that he is likely to start his season at the Tour Down Under. Both riders have signed two-year contracts.