After the most successful year ever for Team CSC-Saxo Bank, team owner Bjarne Riis is looking forward to the new season with even greater ambitions. Despite losing co-sponsor IT-Factory for 2009, Riis remains fully confident in his sporting program. Most of the team heads to Mallorca in Spain for a training camp, while a separate squad will descend to the Tour Down Under to kick off the racing season.

"Of course we need to be realistic and respect the fact that the other teams have a lot to offer as well, but I believe we have a great season ahead of us," Riis commented this week.

"Our guys are really working hard at the moment and it seems like they want to start the season with a bang," he added. "Last year we kicked off with a bang as well so if the riders have cranked up their training efforts even further over the winter it can only mean a great start to 2009."

"I get the feeling that we're all determined to prove that we have no intentions of turning down our ambitions because of the bad news regarding IT-Factory. On the contrary, we have a lot to live up to after this year but when I consider the riders on our team there's no reason what so ever why we shouldn't be able to do it again... And maybe even better."

"Obviously we're in the middle of a major generational change but I can easily imagine some of the young riders competing for victories here and there," Riis added. "With riders like Fabian (Cancellara), Jens (Voigt) and JJ (Haedo) we should be able to grab some victories already before the classics."

Swiss ace Cancellara is looking forward to an aggressive classics program in 2009. Winner of Paris-Roubaix and Milano-Sanremo, Cancellara looks to add other major classics to his career tally, including the Tour of Flanders and possibly the Ardennes classics such as Amstel Gold Race and the Fleche Wallonne.

O'Grady Eyes Other Favorites Down Under

Two-time Tour Down Under winner Stuart O'Grady is looking forward to the Australian tour in January, but he isn't getting caught up in Lance-mania just yet. O'Grady will lead his Saxo Bank squad in Australia as he tries for a third career victory in what is now a ProTour event.

"He's definitely someone special and when you're riding around with someone like that it's hard not to get taken in," O'Grady said about comeback man Armstrong in the Australian press Monday. "But I won't be concentrating on him. He's not going to be the big hot favorite for the race and there will be a lot of other guys out there who are possible winners before Lance."

Banfi to Direct Cervélo Women's

Patrick Banfi of Switzerland has joined Cervélo TestTeam as a Sports Director for the Women’s Team. Banfi joins Cervélo TestTeam after two years of working as a Sports Director for the Swiss Team, Specialized Designs for Women.

"I'm extremely happy to have this chance, thanks to Thomas Campana, to work with such a great team," said Banfi.

"Not only will I have the opportunity to develop my skills and I will be able to continue my work with Emma Pooley. I see the great potential for this team and for the concept. To create something new together with these young riders and the veterans alongside is very interesting for me and I think it will also be a lot of fun."

UCI Confirms More Continental Teams

The UCI confirmed licenses for three more Professional Continental Teams for the 2009 season, bringing the total to 21 registered teams. Murcia-Contentpolis Ampo, LPR Brakes, and Amica Chips-Knauf have joined the Continental ranks. The candidatures from these three teams were initially considered incomplete by the UCI Management Committee but have since been accepted. The American Rock Racing squad has an application submitted but has yet to be granted a Continental Team license for 2009.

Kona Backs Team H&R Block

Kona Bicycle Co. has agreed to a multi-year deal with the newly merged Team H&R BLOCK-KONA. The team will look to build off national and provincial championships earned in 2008 with an elite team of 11 athletes focusing on espoir and U26 riders.

"Continuing our relationship with the program was a natural step as they provide a platform for our top-level road and cyclocross bicycles," Kona's Trevor Porter explained. "Although we are mostly known for our off-road two wheelers, we have a rich history of road bicycles. Look out for some exciting product developments to be put to the test by the team in 2009."

The team's racing calendar will emphasize national championships, races in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada, and a handful of U.S. events.