With Leopold König having shown growing condition over the last few weeks, NetApp-Endura have devoted almost the entire team to their talented Czech in their Tour de France debut. Hence, there was no room for sprinters Sam Bennett and instead climbers David de la Cruz, Jose Mendes, Bartosz Huzarski and Toago Machado will be on hand to offer their captain support in the mountains.

The highest-ranked German cycling team has named the squad for its premiere at the Tour de France. Following a three-year break, with NetApp – Endura a German squad will once again be competing in the world’s most important cycling race.

All the riders in the line-up will be racing at the Tour de France for the very first time. Although they have competed in the Giro d’Italia or the Vuelta a España, the nine NetApp – Endura riders will make their Tour de France debut this year.

“We’ll be riding with the required level of respect, but also with self-confidence, at the Tour. We’ve just completed the most successful first half of the season in our team history, and of course the guys are extremely motivated. The first goal we’ve set for ourselves is for Leo Koenig to finish in the Top15 of the GC. We’re assigning four climbers – de la Cruz, Huzarski, Machado and Mendes – to offer him support. In addition, we also intend to join in the battle for a stage win. With Barta and Dempster, as well as our German veterans Schillinger and Voss, we also have some very good options for the rather profiled stages,” says Ralph Denk, Team Manager of Team NetApp – Endura, explaining the goals for the Tour de France.

By focusing on captain Leopold Koenig, Team NetApp – Endura is aiming to repeat the success at last year’s Vuelta a España. Koenig managed not only to win a stage there; he also completed his first three-week tour in ninth place overall. Koenig, who had to sit out a large part of the first half of the season due to a knee injury, recently demonstrated his rising Tour form by taking fourth place at the Bayern-Rundfahrt and 11th place at the Critérium du Dauphiné.

Line-up Team NetApp – Endura for the Tour de France:

Jan Barta (29 / CZE), David de la Cruz (25 / ESP), Zak Dempster (26 / AUS), Bartosz Huzarski (33 / POL), Leopold Koenig (26 / CZE), Tiago Machado (28 / POR), Jose Mendes (29 / POR), Andreas Schillinger (30 / GER), Paul Voss (28 / GER)

Reserve: Iker Camano (35 / ESP), Scott Thwaites (24 / GBR)

Team Manager: Ralph Denk (40 / GER)
Sport Directors: Enrico Poitschke (44 / GER), Alex Sans Vega (37 / ESP)