Feb 19th, 10.  

Roulston in fine company as he sits in front of Voigt, Hincapie and Evans at the Tour Down Under ©RoadCycling.co.nz

"It will be good to get back in amongst it after a good Tour Down Under and some good training," said Roulston who was a strong presence at the front of the peloton to help teammate Andre Greipel win the Australian pro-tour season opener.

"The classics season is full on from the start of April and I'm really motivated this year to do well," he said.

Roulston is expected to be a protected rider in the classics with Team Director Allan Peiper happy to support the Kiwi's goals for personal success.

"I really want a result. It would be good to win something but that will depend on the team and the race and if a bit of luck goes my way," Roulston said.

Hayden Roulston keen to make a mark in the classics ©RoadCycling.co.nz

However, before the classics season gets underway Roulston is competing in the four day Spanish tour where he's racing alongside teammate Mark Cavendish for the first time.

This tour will be Cavendish's first racing for the season after he was forced to postpone his season start due to health issues.

"He's ready to go and keen to race" HTC Columbia's sports director Brian Holm said.

"In Andalusia we'll be supporting Mark 100 percent for whatever sprints come up, and then we've got Mick [Michael Rogers] and Maxime [Monfort] for the [stage four] time-trial and the overall."

Cavendish won 23 individual stages in 2009, the majority characterised by a great leadout train.

With a new line-up in 2010 this tour will be the first test of Cavendish's new leadout train as the team prepares for their ultimate goal of the season - to get Cavendish the green sprinter's jersey at the Tour de France.

Peiper has been impressed with Roulston's range of skills; his ability to ride day in and day out, chase groups and then lead out has him earmarked for the July Tour.

"There is a difference between the sprinters and the hard riders, and there are not many guys in between that can lift the speed and ride for a long period. I think Roly can be that guy if we can mould him over the next couple of months, and prime him for the Tour de France," Peiper told RoadCycling.co.nz last month.

After Ruta del Sol, Roulston will race in Paris-Nice and Milan San Remo before the classics season gets fully underway in early April with the Tour of Flanders.

Related article

• Peiper picks Roulston as Tour de France weapon

Please support those who support us ...