Peter Sagan and Alberto Contador join Tinkoff at training camp (gallery)

Team Tinkoff gather on Gran Canaria for a pre-season training camp - and to wear some lurid kit - Photos from Graham Watson

Peter Sagan in 2015
Sagan and team mates
(Image credit: Watson)

World champion Peter Sagan and Grand Tour champion Alberto Contador have joined their Tinkoff team-mates on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria for a pre-season training camp.

The duo and other members of the Russian WorldTour team having been out for rides in the mountainous terrain of Gran Canaria, as well as reacquainting themselves with old team-mates and meeting new ones.

The camp has also been a good excuse to generate publicity for the team and its title sponsor, Tinkoff, the credit card company owned by Oleg Tinkov, who also owns the team itself.

>>> Movistar, Sky, Tinkoff, Trek all miss 2016 Tour of Oman

On Thursday, the squad unveiled its striking black-and-white striped training kit, emblazoned with the name 'La Datcha'. The name refers to traditional second homes in Russia.

The coming season is rumoured to be Contador's last, although the rider himself has seemed reticent to confirm this in recent months. Last season or not, he has said that he will aim for the Tour de France and then the Olympic Games road race. The Spaniard will kick off his campaign at the Volta al Algarve in Portugal in mid-February.

As world champion, much attention will be paid to Sagan, who will seek to win a one-day monument in 2016 to add to his expanding palmares. And there will be few who would bet against him claiming the Tour's green jersey once more in July. Sagan's first outing in 2016 will be the Tour de San Luis in Argentina, starting on January 17.

Peter Sagan in 2015

Peter Sagan is evidently enjoying himself in Gran Canaria
(Image credit: Watson)

Peter Sagan in 2015

You can't keep a good man's front wheel down
(Image credit: Watson)

Alberto Contador in 2015

Alberto Contador looking serious ahead of what could be his final full season
(Image credit: Watson)

Alberto Contador and Oleg Tinkov in 2015

Alberto Contador and team owner Oleg Tinkov
(Image credit: Watson)

Peter Sagan in 2015

Peter Sagan stretches out
(Image credit: Watson)

Peter Sagan in 2015

Sagan and team mates
(Image credit: Watson)

Peter Sagan in 2015

Peter Sagan leads the pack out on the road
(Image credit: Watson)

Peter Sagan and Alberto Contador training in Tenerife in 2015

Peter Sagan and Alberto Contador training on Gran Canaria
(Image credit: Watson)

Tinkoff cyclists training in 2015

Oleg Tinkov and the 2016 Tinkoff team
(Image credit: Watson)

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Nigel Wynn
Former Associate Editor

Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.