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.
17.04 - 21.04: Tour de Tunisie |
18.04 - 21.04: Eroica Juniores |
19.04 - 21.04: EPZ Omloop van Borsele |
20.04 - 21.04: Gipuzkoa Klasika |
21.04: Liège-Bastogne-Liège |
21.04: Giro della Romagna |
21.04: Gent-Wevelgem U23 |
21.04: EPZ Omloop van Borsele |
21.04: Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes |
21.04: Gent-Wevelgem Junior |
Mathis JOHANSSON 30 years | today |
Elena BUCHLER 38 years | today |
Andrés REBOLLO 43 years | today |
Gianni MOSCON 30 years | today |
Zenya KATAGIRI 30 years | today |
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