“I really think we have a better team than last year”, said director sportif Joxean Fernandez Matxin recently at the team presentation of Saunier Duval. A remark that can be interpreted in two ways due to the many mutations in the team this winter. On the one hand the team lost a quartet of important riders like Koldo Gil, Gilberto Simoni, Francisco Ventoso and David Millar. Iban Mayo is still out of competition due to alleged doping use. The loss of Mazur, Rinero, Trentin, Wielinga and Zarate will probably not worry manager Gianetti so much. Overall the team seems to have lost quality. So why is their hope up that the team has gotten better? The youth.


Because Saunier Duval, the second youngest team in the Protour, has nine riders under 24 and only four of over thirty. And indeed, the team looks good for the future. Alarcon (1986), Benitez (1981), Cobo (1981), De la Fuente (1981), Duran (1986), Fernandez (1984) and Mejias (1983) already made the step forwards, but this winter also Ermanno Capelli (1985) and top talents Intxausti (1986) and Hector Gonzalez (1986) were added to the squad. The Italian golden boy Capecchi (1986) didn’t get enough time at Liquigas, so he also moved to the Spanish boiler-producer.


For the French market the sponsor also wanted some fast French riders in the team, and with Flahaut and Passeron they signed two of such riders. As long as they don’t run into any problems, they can be sure to be selected in the Tour squad. Just like Josep Jufre. The Spaniard was highly appreciated by his captain Cadel Evans at Predictor-Lotto, but the team management didn’t think his output was enough. At Saunier he will get that confidence and he already received the promise that, at the age of 32, he will start in his first Tour de France this year.


However, the Tour de France will only be a stage to show the fighting spirit of the team. The general classification is less important than attractive racing. A stage victory will be the main goal for Cobo, Gomez Marchante, De la Fuente, Jufre and also Flahaut and Passeron when they start in Bretagne. But then the Giro. Riccardo Ricco, the young gun with the large mouth had his breakthrough last year and now wants more. The victory in Liege-Bastogne-Liege and the final victory in the Giro is his aim. Supported by good old Piepoli, who will also ride the Vuelta, the Giro will be his main goal. In the classics the team will also count on Ricco, although Cobo, Mori and Del Nero could also be useful team mates in those races, especially when these riders can make a step forward in their development.


If the potential quality of the young riders can show itself this year, manager Gianetti will be a happy man. His team is loaded with talent, but the Swiss will probably know that great results at the espoir level do not garantee a breakthrough at the highest level. The team might have become more homogeneous, but there might be a lack of experienced riders to support them. That doesn’t have to be an disadvantage per sé. Partially due to the modest expectations of new co-sponsor Scott and Saunier Duval, the team can take it easy. Results are not always necessary, as long as the team shows itself. And nothing beats that.


In
Eros Capecchi (Liquigas-Bianchi), Ermanno Capelli, Hector González (neo), Denis Flahaut (Jartazi Promo Fashion), Beñat Inxausti (Grupo Nicolás Mateos), Josep Jufre (Predictor-Lotto), Aurélien Passeron (Acqua & Sapone)


Out
Koldo Gil (Liberty Seguros), Peter Mazur (CCC Polsat Polkowice), David Millar (Team Slipstream), Christophe Rinero (Agritubel), Gilberto Simoni (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli), Guido Trentin (unknown), Francisco Ventoso (Andalucia-Cajasur), Remmert Wielinga, Carlos Zarate (unknown)


Iban Mayo (suspended from competition)