Yuri Trofimov is waiting for 2017 with great impatience. On January 1, the Russian 32-year-old will swap his Tinkoff jersey for that of Caja Rural-Seguros RGA. 

It is a rather surprising transfer for the Spanish team which until now has only had one Russian, Alexander Ryabkin, in the team in 2011 and 2012. For Trofimov, it is a real change after stints at Katusha and Tinkoff in recent years but according to the Russian it is a beneficial change. He already has a clear idea about his goals.

"The Vuelta is my big goal of the season,” he told Marca. For many years, I spent all my energy helping my leaders, and I was still there, with the best. I will finally have the opportunity to be a leader in a Grand Tour. And I do not want to miss this opportunity." 

The comments from the Russian are not completely true. In 2013, 2014 and 2015, he did have the opportunity to show himself as a GC rider in the Grand Tours. He did well as was 12th in the 2013 Giro, 14th in the 2014 Tour de France (14th) and got his best result in last year’s Giro where he was tenth after having fallen ill in the final week.

Also a double stage winner at the Criterium of the Dauphiné and a winner of a stage at Tour of the Basque Country, Trofimov stalled at Tinkoff. He has been in search of a team where he can again flourish and he is convinced that this is what he has at Caja Rural. 

"I was looking for a group that would give me the opportunity to show myself,” he said. “Of course, I will help my teammates at certain times of the year, and I will be leading in my favorite races. The biggest goal is on the Vuelta. And surely the other Spanish races, but my program has yet to be finalized. I came here to get the victories that have eluded me lately. I think it's my time now. I have three or four years left to do everything I have not done until now. The best is still to come."