Three to watch

Marcello Albasini

was coach of the Swiss national junior and U23 teams, coaching a young Fabian Cancellara among others. He was with the Cervélo TestTeam for two years, then worked for USA Cycling developing U23 riders. He’s currently with IAM Cycling while his son Michael rides for Orica-GreenEdge. Who are his three to watch? “Among our own riders I’d say that Sébastien Reichenbach is likely to be the one. He’s a late developer because he’s already 24, but that’s normal for Swiss cyclists. Last July he did 180km in the break to win the Trofeo Matteotti, and that’s a tough race. Then he rode well in the Tour of Britain. He’s a really talented climber who could do really well in the hilly Classics.” “Of those who haven’t turned pro yet I’d go for a Norwegian boy, Sondre Holst Enger. He was third in the U23 Worlds in Florence, but he was still only 19-years-old. He’s a special talent and if I were to characterise him, I’d probably liken him to somebody like Paolo Bettini. He’s won a lot of races already and all the WorldTour teams are likely to want him.” “The obvious choice is Joe Dombrowski. You don’t win the Giro Bio unless you’re very good and I think he has the mentality and talent to become a big grand tour star. Sky aren’t rushing him but it’s important that young riders are not over-raced at that age. I think we’ll see him do something exceptional quite soon and when he starts, there will be no stopping him.”