[03.03 08:11] Team Saxo Bank is embarking on this year’s edition of ”The Race Against the Sun” with sky-high ambitions. The race begins with a nine-kilometer time trial in Amily next weekend and according to sports director Kim Andersen there’s every reason for optimism.

”The way the route is this year we have every reason to turn up our level of ambition. Already during first stage, which in stead of the usual ultra-short prologue is a short time trial, we should have a good chance to capture the jersey with either Jens Voigt or Gustav Larsson, who both emerged from Tour of California in fantastic shape,” says Kim Andersen, who also considers the chances realistic of a good overall result by Fränk Schleck as well as several of the young talents on the team.

”The final three or four days will be in the mountains and this is where Fränk comes in fresh from his queen stage victory in California – in fact the route seems tailor made for him. But I also think that Chris Anker and Jakob Fuglsang have shown great form right from the beginning of the season, which is all the more reason for optimism here. All in all I’d be surprised if we’re not one of the dominating teams in this race. It also takes a bit of luck to win it but our line-up consists of a diverse group of guys so we’ll definitely be able to seek out the opportunities,” determines Kim Andersen.

Team Saxo Bank’s line-up for Paris-Nice 2009: Jens Voigt, Gustav Larsson, Fränk Schleck, Karsten Kroon, Alexandre Kolobnev, Jakob Fuglsang, Chris Anker Sørensen and Nicki Sørensen.