Dominique Rollin returns to the pro peloton at the Challenge Mallorca

After being out of professional cycling for a year, Canadian Dominique Rollin returns to the pro peloton Thursday in the four-day Challenge Mallorca, a series of races on the biggest Balearic Island of Spain. Riders are allowed to skip the events, but currently Rollin is listed for all four with his new Cofidis team.

Rollin retired from cycling following the 2013 season when FDJ didn’t renew his contract, but threw his casquette back in the ring with Cofidis for 2015. Recently, Cofidis, a Pro Continental squad, was given wild card invitations to the Tour de France, Critérium Dauphiné and Paris-Nice races.

The Challenge Mallorca was where Bradley Wiggins was expected to start his final season on the road before concentrating on the track after Paris-Roubaix. Wiggins will instead begin his truncated 2015 campaign at the Tour of Qatar. However, Andre Greipel (Germany/Lotto-Soudal), Alejandro Valverde (Spain/Movistar) and Dan Martin (Ireland/Cannondale-Garmin) will be launching their seasons in Mallorca.

Because of the unusual format, squads are bringing twelve or more riders to the island.

2015 Challenge Mallorca
Trofeo Ses Salines – Jan 29
Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana – Jan 30
Trofeo Muro – Jan. 31
Trofeo Palma – Feb. 1

The Horse @be_Rollin aura pour mission de tenir le plus longtemps possible avant de libérer la suite du train rouge pic.twitter.com/2dC6HrYkXF

— Team COFIDIS (@TeamCOFIDIS) January 27, 2015