Having already won the race in 2014, Michael Valgren knows what it takes to finish on the top step of the podium at the Tour of Denmark, and with a 2015 edition win in the team as well, Tinkoff has a lot of history at this race. This year, the young Dane heads to his home roads off the back of the Tour de France, and leads a strong Tinkoff team that can both support and aim for stage results too.

The 26th edition of the race sees a slight change in format from previous years, dropping from six stages to five, and it’s also moved forward in the race calendar to fit between the Tour de France and the Olympics. The alteration will see just two days between the end of Le Tour and the start of the Danish race, but Valgren will be looking to carry on from a solid showing in France where he has been a part of the successful team performance that has seen stage wins and leaders’ jerseys from the first days.

“This year the race comes straight after the Tour which makes it a bit different to other years, but hopefully it will have a positive influence on Valgren’s performance,” explained Tinkoff’s Danish Sport Director Lars Michaelsen. “We’ve been in touch during the Tour and while he’s focused now on that race, he’s really motivated for Denmark as well which is important after three weeks of racing.”

Lining up alongside Valgren in Herning for stage 1 on Wednesday will be Erik Baška, who will be looking to be in the mix on the first few stages that suit a fast finish. He is joined by road captain Daniele Bennati and another Italian, Manuele Boaro, who will have one eye on the fourth day’s time trial, a 19.6km effort around Nyborg. Gogl and Kolar make it three Michael’s in the Tinkoff line-up, with the Russian duo of Pavel Brutt and Nikolay Trusov completing the team.

“Manuele also has history at this race having led in 2014 before Valgren won the overall, so his experience will be an asset. Benna comes to the race from Poland and he continues to get stronger after his return. Then with Baška, the first two stages and the fifth could suit him so we’ll look to support him there.

“Stage 3 should be key for the GC with a tough final circuit in Vejle, and two climbs on the lap, one which gets over 21%, so its about who can make the cut here. The time trial is also longer than previous years so that will be important. I’ve been racing and directing at this race for a good few years now and I hope that we can continue our success this season.”