The joy at Team NetApp-Endura today was likely as great as that felt by Czech rider Leopold König's victory on the eighth stage of the Vuelta a España, when the organizers of the Tour de France handed out invitations for the 101st edition, which will take place from July 5th to 27th. In addition to the 18 seeded WorldTour teams, the ProContinental teams Bretagne-Séché Environnement, Cofidis, IAM, and NetApp-Endura each received a wildcard. NetApp-Endura also received an invitation to the Critérium du Dauphiné.
“A dream has come true. We have been working towards this news since the day the team was founded. The fact that our wish is now becoming reality is overwhelming and will fill the entire team with euphoria. We couldn't have hoped for better news so close to the start of our season ,” said NetApp Endura manager Ralph Denk.
Sporting director Enrico Poitschke adds: “Since the team's founding, we have always worked with focus and have thus been able to achieve some successes in recent years. Participating in the Tour de France has always been in the back of our minds. We are therefore all the more delighted to have received the invitation. The fact that it has come so early naturally allows us to concentrate on preparing for the start and deliver the best possible performance there as well.”
After participating in the Giro d'Italia 2012 and the start at the Vuelta a España 2013, the Raublinger team completes the participation status in all three major national tours. And those who know the team can look forward to an active driving style from the drivers in the blue, white and black jerseys.
//The teams of the Tour de France 2014
Ag2R-La Mondiale (France), Astana (Kazakhstan), Belkin (Netherlands), BMC (USA), Cannondale (Italy), FDJ.fr (France), Garmin-Sharp (USA), Katusha (Russia), Lampre-Merida (Italy), Lotto-Belisol (Belgium), Movistar (Spain), Omega Pharma-QuickStep (Belgium), Orica-GreenEdge (Australia), Europcar (France), Giant-Shimano (Netherlands), Sky (UK), Tinkoff- Saxo (Denmark), Trek Factory Racing (USA), Bretagne-Séché Environnement (France), Cofidis (France), IAM (Switzerland), NetApp-Endura (Germany)