With the sponsorship problem solved, the Tinkoff-Saxo team now choose to spent some of its money on riders. They renew with veterans Zaugg and Tosatto, according to biciciclismo.com.

Matteo Tosatto, a 39-year Italian rider, is maybe a bit old, but his experience is unreplaceable. "Matteo showed that he is still strong during this year's Tour de France. He can contribute in almost every race and has a great sense of how the race develops. And he can be both a support for a GC captain and also help lead the sprinter to a good position in the last few miles of a race." says Riis, the general manager.

Tosatto attended two Grand Tours this year, the Tour and the Vuelta. The most memorable performance perhaps came in the stage 13 of Tour, in which he and other Saxo strongmen collaborate well in the crosswind breakaway, and helped leaders Contador and Kreuziger gain over one minute on most GC contenders.

Oliver Zaugg, 32-year-old Swiss, joined from Leopard-Trek team in the last off-season, but rode a disappointing season for his new team. Still, Riis is content with him, "Oliver had a difficult season because of some accidents, but he came back strong in the latter part of the season and did well. He's an interesting cyclist and a guy eager to race."

Surprise winner of Giro di Lombardia 2011, Zaugg has a pretty anonymous career outside of that race. Nevertheless, Zaugg is a useful domestique, helped team captain Roche got a 5th overall result in Vuelta.

Both riders are highly motivated after the renewal. Tosatto says, "I am very happy to be able to sign a new contract for two years, and I'm as motivated as my first contract.", and Zaugg adds, "Naturally , I'm happy to continue another season with one of the best teams in the world. I had my ups and downs in the 2013 season , so I expect a 2014 season with fewer accidents, and be able to support captains. Of course, I am also ready to achieve a result for myself, when the right opportunity presents itself."