Six weeks before the first participation in the Tour de France, the Raublinger Team NetApp-Endura announced its extended squad. Over the next four weeks, the team management will select the nine drivers from this group who will be at the start in Leeds on July 5th. With the exception of Sam Bennett and local hero Scott Thwaites, all the pre-selected drivers have already gained experience in grand tours.
The team can look back on their best start to the season so far this year. In addition to two victories, there are already eleven other podium finishes. “We are on a very good path. The team showed in the classics that we have improved significantly in this area. In the stage races we always showed top performances and competed for results”, team manager Ralph Denk is correspondingly optimistic.
The team's objectives are clearly defined six weeks before the start of the tour. “We are aiming for a stage win and a top 15 position in the overall standings. Our goals are realistic and that already gives the whole team self-confidence”, so keep thinking.
The final squad depends crucially on the further progress of captain Leo König. “The selection of the nine drivers will not be easy for us because we currently have a very broad level in the team. Leo is set as captain and his form will determine the formation of the tour roster. At his best, he gets the full support of the team. If, on the other hand, his preparation isn't optimal due to his knee problems, then there will be tactical adjustments. And that will affect the squad. But the last few weeks have shown that the team can also translate this into results.", so think. So far there are fourteen drivers in the provisional squad.
Provisional line-up
Jan Bart
Caesar Benedetti
Sam Bennett
Iker Camano
David of the Cross
Zak Dempster
Bartosz Huzarski
Leopold Koenig
Tiago Machado
Jose Mendes
Andrew Schillinger
Daniel Schorn
Scott Thwaites
Paul Voss