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Thomas Löfkvist
Thomas Löfkvist is determined to head into 2012 looking to recapture the form which marked out the climber as one of the most hotly-tipped stage racers in the peloton.
Despite falling ill in the midst of his main goal of the season - the Giro d’Italia - the Swede refocused his aims and was on hand at the Vuelta a Espana to help guide team-mates Chris Froome and Bradley Wiggins to podium places on what was to be the team’s most successful Grand Tour to date.
Löfkvist also used his versatility to help Peter Kennaugh at the Tour of Poland to fifth place overall – a selfless performance which drew praise from the team.
The former maglia rosa-holder at the 2009 Giro will look to begin 2012 on the front foot with the form that has seen him crowned winner of the prestigious Strade Bianche (2009) and a podium finisher at Tirreno-Adriatico (2008).
He says: “There were some ups and downs in 2011 for me. My big goal was the Giro but I got sick there which was a big disappointment. I did a good second half of the Vuelta helping Bradley and Froomey to their result and for the late Italian classics I was riding really well so I was pleased with form there.
“It gives me a lot of confidence and motivation heading into 2012. I will try to do a good spring campaign and then hopefully make it onto the Tour squad and do a good Tour de France.
“The team is getting stronger all the time. It’s a learning curve and everybody seems more adapted to the team and more confident in their roles and everything. We know each other so it just makes things easier and I think we are getting better every year.”
