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Following an eight-year association with French teams, Nicolas Roche decided to try something new and join Saxo-Tinkoff.

On the eve of the centenary edition of the Tour de France, he now finds himself as one of the coveted nine men with Alberto Contador at the helm, the Spaniard telling reporters at his team's pre-race press conference, 'If I didn't think I could beat (Chris) Froome, I wouldn't have the motivation to be here in this moment.'

Roche, who finished 12th overall at last year's Tour and the Vuelta a EspaƱa, tells Cycling Central's Anthony Tan his season to date hasn't all been smooth sailing, but he intends to be there for the two-time winner when the race reaches its decisive final week.