Unlucky at the start of the Tour de France, when they saw one of their best riders Tiago Machado crash as he was playing a leading role. Team NetApp-Endura recovered in style in the Alps, when their leader Leopold König confirmed his ambitions.
“We really had a hard start to the Tour, with several crashes, but between St Etienne and Chamrousse, Leo confirmed that we could win a stage, which remains the main goal of the team,” said the German team director Enrico Poitschke to letour.fr.
But the former pro has even higher goals for the 26-year-old Czech, revealed last year by winning a stage in the Vuelta, which he finished 9th overall.
“I think he has the means to finish in the top six in Paris. For the rest of his career I think he can go even higher”, said Poitshcke, impressed by his rider's recovery capacities.
Third in Chamrousse, the Czech, 26, lies 8th overall, 9:32 behind Vincenzo Nibali, after the Alps.
While NetApp-Endura, who announced a new sponsor during the rest day, perfectly honoured their invitation to the Tour, they hope to retain their best rider, whose contract ends this season.
03.05: La Classique Morbihan |
01.05 - 04.05: La Coupe du President de la Vi... |
04.05: GP du Morbihan |
04.05: GP Eco-Struct |
04.05: Liège-Bastogne-Liège Junior |
04.05: Sundvolden GP |
04.05: GP du Morbihan Femmes |
04.05: Ronde van Overijssel |
28.04 - 05.05: Vuelta España Femenina |
30.04 - 05.05: Tour du Bénin |
Hans TIMMERMANS 40 years | today |
Francesco DELLA LUNGA 23 years | today |
Jan WOLF 35 years | today |
Jan LOF 35 years | today |
Kevin PUTSEYS 43 years | today |
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