Andy Tennant is eyeing a Tour Series charge after joining the ‘formidable’ Canyon Eisberg roster for 2018.
The Team GB track star is also relishing the opportunity to chase UCI glory in Belgium and Holland having signed for Tim Elverson’s Continental outfit.
He must first take care of business on the track with the World Championships and Commonwealth Games looming large this spring.
Canyon Eisberg fans will therefore have to wait to see the 30-year-old former Team Wiggins rider pull on his new jersey.
But when he does, Tennant reckons the programme Elverson has in place will play to his strengths as he switches from the track to the road for the summer.
Among the highlights will be the Tour Series. He has not raced in the competition since 2015 but prior to that tasted overall glory and racked up 21 top-10 finishes. The 2012 team pursuit world champion said:
“I wanted to race more in the UK, along with Belgium and Holland. That is something I have seen in Tim’s programmes over the past couple of years.
“That style of racing suits me and helps with my track ambitions, so I spoke to Tim and he was quite keen to help me.
“We [Team Wiggins] missed out on the Tour Series and the crits in the UK, which is something I am quite good at and didn’t want to leave in the past.
“Those races can really complement the track work and that is key for me, so I felt it was a natural move.
“The World Championships and Commonwealth Games are the early focus. Then with the team, the first big target for me will probably be the Tour Series.
“I’m excited about that. We’ve had success there before and you only have to look at the TV coverage to see it is a big thing for any team.
“Alongside the Tour de Yorkshire and the Tour of Britain, it really is one of the biggest events on the calendar now.
“The Tour de Yorkshire will probably be a push for me after the track. There will be better riders than me for those races, so I’ll focus my attention on the crits.”
While much of Tennant’s focus remains inside the velodrome, the multiple world and European medallist retains ambitions on the road.
And he believes with regular visits to Belgium and Holland, he can help Elverson exciting squad make their mark at home and abroad. Tennant added:
“I’ve been successful in Prems. I know I can go there and win. And some races in Belgium and Holland are no no harder. In fact, I’ve ridden 1.2s that are a lot easier!
“So if I get to the right race, there is no reason I can’t be successful. And that was one of the big draws of joining the team.
“If we go racing in Belgium and Holland more, I will hopefully have lots of opportunities to be successful. If you only do one or two a year, those chances are pretty slim.
“I’m excited about this team. It is certainly a formidable line-up and one which should be challenging to win races right from the start.”
Among Tennant’s victories on the road are the Tour of the Reservoir, Wiltshire Grand Prix, Richmond Grand Prix and a stage win at Flèche du Sud.
Follow Tennant on Twitter and Instagram. Stay up to date with his blogs at tennanto.co.uk
