Irish rider Nicolas Roche revealed on Wednesday he has signed for Danish cycling outfit Saxo Bank from AG2R La Mondiale. The 28-year-old son of former Tour de France and Giro d'Italia winner Stephen Roche will compete with Bjarne Riis' team for two seasons.
   
He will ride alongside Saxo Bank's leading rider Spaniard Alberto Contador who will return to competition next week after a two-year doping ban expires. "Joining Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank is a whole new adventure for me after eight years of riding for French teams, and I'm really excited about this challenge," said Roche, who finished 12th on this year's Tour de France. "Bjarne Riis has managed some of the best cyclists in the world, and I'm convinced that his team can help me step up a level and help me achieve some results."
 
Riis added: "I'm really looking forward to start working with him. I'm sure Nicolas will be an important rider for us both when it comes to helping Alberto win Grand Tours and to secure results on his own."