Tinkoff-Saxo have signed Yuri Trofimov for the 2016 season.
In a press statement, Tinkoff Saxo said: "The versatile Russian champion will bring a wealth of experience to the Tinkoff-Saxo roster where he will support team leader Alberto Contador in next season's major challenges but also assume leading roles in a number of races.
Tinkoff-Saxo is delighted to announce that Yuri Trofimov will strengthen its squad in the next season and play an important role in achieving the ambitious but challenging goals in 2016.
The reigning Russian champion and accomplished rider has been with Katusha since 2011 and had a notable 2015 season that saw him assume the lead of the team in the Giro d'Italia, where he stayed in fifth position of the GC until Stage 18 when illness slowed him down. Nevertheless, Trofimov ended the first Grand Tour of the year in 10th place. When asked what he considered to be his strength as a rider, Trofimov was quick to reply: "I never give up, no matter how hard it might be".
A few weeks after the Giro, Trofimov went on to be proclaimed Russian road champion, a very important moment in his career, according to him. He scored a commanding victory in a tough, 204km-long race that included the best Russian riders. Trofimov has competed in all three Grand Tours and considers his stage win in the 2014 Dauphiné to be one of the best races of his career.
Tinkoff-Saxo owner Oleg Tinkov commented on Trofimov joining the team: "I am very excited to have in our Russian team our national champion. This is my sixth season as team owner and for the very first time I will have a Russian champion in the team. In addition, it is especially important that Yuri is very keen on riding for our team, in order to help our leader Alberto Contador but also aim at scoring his own victories".
Trofimov said on his move to Tinkoff-Saxo: "For me it was a hard decision since a new team brings new opportunities but also means a new challenge. I join the team which together with its leader Alberto Contador is going to fight for victory at the Tour de France. I am also going to have opportunities for myself to win races".
For Trofimov, the Russian identity of Tinkoff-Saxo was an important factor: "I leave one Russian team for another one and I will still have Russian riders by my side. For me that is an important aspect", commented Trofimov.
For Steven de Jongh, Head Sport Director of Tinkoff-Saxo, Trofimov will be a key support in the mountains. "After the Giro we saw the need for a very good climber that would support Alberto. Yuri has been a while with Katusha and was looking for new opportunities. We are excited to see him joining our team and we are sure he has all the skills to make him an excellent addition to our squad", commented de Jongh.
"Yuri's race program will be set up around Alberto's with the Tour de France being, obviously, the major focus of the season. However, he has proven to be a good leader, so he will be given that role within the team in some races", concluded de Jongh."