Classics Clout: Saxo Boss Riis Brings Back Frank Hoj for 2009 Classics Season

In Varese, Italy at this past year's world championships: Hoj happy as always and ready to ride! His teammate, Matti Breschel, would go on to finish third that day.

Frank Hoj, the classics-savvy 14 year veteran, has signed with Bjarne Riis' Saxo Bank-IT Factory outfit for the 2009 season. A lighthearted yet dependable workhorse, Hoj will prove valuable during the early season, as an important gregario to Fabian Cancellara and Stuart O'Grady at the cobbled classics. He'll also likely fill a key support role at the Ardennes classics, as he plays lead out man for the two Schlecks and Matti Breschel.

Hoj last rode for Bjarne Riis in 2004, as a domestique to several riders, including Bobby Julich, Ivan Basso, and Michele Bartoli. He also put in some results for himself, and his 8th place at the Tour of Flanders in 2004 showed his potential as a classics strongman. He moved on to ride for Gerolsteiner and Cofidis over the next two seasons, but injuries and poor form doomed each year since for the Dane.

So now, he returns to Bjarne Riis in hopes of being able to find the form he had back in 2004. He'll have access to the best equipment, trainers, and coaches, and he'll be riding with some of the world's best cyclists. Hoj has long been known as a consummate team player, and a valuable asset in any difficult race. Less of a stage racing talent, he is most at home in tough conditions on difficult one day parcours. His bigger frame allows him to power through and over cobbles, while his experience helps him to conserve energy and reserve his strength for the finish. All of these talents will be of great value to his new teammates, especially Cancellara.

Perhaps best of all for Hoj in 2009 is he'll be able to have some chances to win for himself on the opportunistic Saxo Bank squad. Riis preaches teamwork around every corner, and the Dane believes in providing opportunities for all team members to win. If Hoj has great form in a given early season semi-classic like Nokere-Koerse, Het Volk or Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, there is a good chance that Riis would ask the rest of the team to work for Hoj.

Later on in the season at Flanders, Roubaix and the hilly Wallonian classics, Hoj will mostly have to work for teammates. But if he is fortunate to get into an early breakaway at Flanders or Roubaix, it would not be impossible for Hoj to dream of taking the win by time trialing away from the field. Quick-Step's Stijn Devolder was able to use teammate Tom Boonen to draw attention away from himself at Flanders in 2008, and Hoj could use the same tactic with Cancelara or O'Grady in 2009.

Even if Hoj doesn't manage to win a race, it won't matter. His tireless work race in and race out will earn the respect of both management and the rest of the team, and at the end of a long day's work Hoj will still wear the same gap-toothed smile that he is known so well for. His positive attitude will keep spirits high all season, as one of cycling's elder statesmen embarks on what may be his final season as a professional.