Having been allowed to stay in the race despite missing the time cut in stage 10, Tiago Machado suffered in today's stage 11 of the Tour de France. His NetApp-Endura team has no ambitions for him in the next few stages but hopes to see him recover for the final week.

Paul Voss continued Team NetApp-Endura’s good showing at the Tour de France with a strong finish in Oyonnax. The 28-year-old sprinted with the lead group at the end of the 11th stage, taking 16th place.

“It was great,” proclaimed Enrico Poitschke, the team’s sport director in France. “It’s a shame that he’s a bit restricted due to his hand injury, especially when it comes to such downhill finishes. Otherwise, a top 10 finish would have been possible today.”

Voss suffered a serious crash during the seventh stage of the Tour, flying head-first through a barrier in Nancy and breaking his nose and the small finger on his left hand.

“Under the circumstances, the result really was optimal,” said Poitschke.

The stage also came off perfectly for Czech rider Leopold König. Like Voss, the 26-year-old captain of Team NetApp – Endura crossed the finish with the lead group during a fast final section.

“It was a good day for him. He felt good after the day off. We didn’t lose any time, which was important,” Poitschke added. “The final part was fast and difficult. We were battling it out with several riders, and Paul and Leo managed to remain in the first group. They maintained a good position and we're satisfied with that." 

Tiago Machado, who was in third place overall Monday before suffering a terrible crash, crossed the finish line today in 116th place.

“He will have to struggle hard with his serious injuries in the next few days as well, but we hope he’ll recover and maybe even make a good showing during the final week of the Tour. Until then, we won’t be demanding anything from him and we’ll be happy for him to cross the finish line," Poitschke said, referring to the 28-year-old Portuguese rider's mishap during the stage to La Planche des Belles Filles. It seems he is Team NetApp – Endura’s most unlucky member. 

"Today was a tough day," Machado told Eurosport. "It was very painful in my legs and in my arms as well. I was feeling all of the vibrations throughout my body. It was a recovery day. When my condition is back I'm going to try and win a stage."

The 12th stage of the most important cycling race in the world will once again include an exciting, demanding and varied finale for Team NetApp – Endura’s debut. A total of 185.5 kilometers will have to be covered between Bourg-en-Bresse and Saint-Etienne, including four mountain classifications.

“In terms of the character, the stage is a bit easier than today’s,” said Poitschke. “We assume that a lot of riders will try to take off as a group, and if it’s big enough, then they'll make it. For us, it’s clear that we will try to put several of our riders in that group. If it comes down to a sprint again, then we'll be ready for that as well. Either with Paul or with Zakkari, if he’s feeling well.”