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.