Stephen Roche describes his son's tenure at Oleg Tinkov-owned Tinkoff-Saxo coming to an uneasy end, saying he had no option but to extricate himself. He believes Team Sky is a fantastic opportunity.
By Brian Canty
Stephen Roche has said Team Sky will bring about further improvement in his son Nicolas’s career.
Roche junior is currently in Majorca with the Dave Brailsford-led team on their first official training camp which runs until next Thursday.
“They had a team meeting last month in London and now they’re all back together training, the serious stuff starts now,” said Roche Snr.
“He sent me a photo of the view from the front door of the hotel...it was a statement for what’s to come next year.
“Nicolas is very excited and so he should be. It’s a great opportunity for him riding with Team Sky.
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Calm before the storm: With Italians Gianni Bugno and Claudio Chiappucci at the 1992 World Championships in Benidorm, Spain (Photo: Sirotti)
It will take a bit of pressure off him and hopefully, if there’s anything left in the tank it will come out.
“He’s still on a learning curve and there are still things he has to learn so I think with Sky he’ll have less pressure and be away from the limelight a bit and that will help him get the performances out,” he added.
Roche’s career has been one of steady improvement and Grand Tour consistency.
“He had a great time with Saxo and did really well, he got on really well there with the team and the staff but the problem was they took on (Peter) Sagan.
"Nicolas would have been content with (working for Alberto) Contador for the big Tours, supporting him.
Oleg Tinkov has made a lot of changes since buying the team from Riis. Signings he made in recent months were clearly never going to suit Nicolas Roche.
“Sagan goes for the stages now and (Rafael) Majka goes for the other mountains so where does he fit in?
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"I know with Sky there is Richie Porte but Nico needed a change of climate as well.
"There was a lot of politics going on there with Tinkoff and he wasn’t 100 per at ease with Tinkoff decisions. I think he was at the end of his journey there.
"I speak for myself from the outside of course but (Bjaarne) Riis’ plan originally was to help him as regards the physical preparation, the time-trialling and things that I can’t help him with. Riis was a great man for that detail.
“There are certain things he must learn and for me, Riis was the man that was going to bring him to another level.
Roche junior's finest moment with Tinkoff-Saxo, winning stage 2 of the Vuelta last year. He would also pull on the race leader's jersey a few days later.
"He brought him to another level but I think there’s still a bit more to go.
"The change in the demographic of the team changed the whole set-up so he had to move on. He got a great opportunity with Sky and it’s excellent for him.”
Roche junior’s race programme isn’t yet finalised but his father hopes it remains similar to what he’s done for most of his career; a European-based Spring campaign followed by the Tour and the Vuelta.
“At the moment they’re just building his programme but I think it will be the Tour and the Vuelta, I think that’s the best programme for him,” he said.
Tour de France 1990, stage 11 time trial from Fontaine to Villard de Lans; Roche riding for Histor-Sigma (Photo: Sirotti)
“He gets great results in Spain and even if Frome decides to do the Tour and the Vuelta next year, if Nicolas is riding it he should have good form to help Froome but also have the form to take a stage win.
"I’d like to see him riding the Classics too, the likes of Liege and Fleche-Wallone. I think he definitely has a classic in him.
"He’s already won a stage of a Grand Tour in the Vuelta, he’s up there in stages. He’s still looking to find where his real potential is.
“Is it stage races or the Classics where I think he can continue to improve? Maybe a 10-day stage race for the overall is good for him and then the big Tours for a high overall placing and help the team leader.
"In Spain he rides well every year. He has the endurance and he had that when he was fifth overall in the Vuelta (in 2013) but to win a Liege would be better at this time of his career.”
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