The joy of Team NetApp-Endura today must have been similar to that of Czech Leopold König's victory on the eighth stage of the Vuelta a España when the organizers of the Tour de France accepted the invitations for the 101st edition from July 5th to 27th distributed. In addition to the 18 seeded WorldTour teams, the ProConti teams also received Brittany – Séché Environnement, Cofidis, IAM and NetApp-Endura each have a wildcard. NetApp-Endura also received an invitation to the Criterium du Dauphiné.
"A dream becomes true. We've been working toward this message from day one of the team's founding. The fact that our wish is now becoming reality is overwhelming and will make the entire team euphoric. We couldn't have hoped for better news just before our season opener.", according to NetApp Endura manager Ralph Denk.
Sporting director Enrico Poitschke adds: "Since the team was founded, we have always worked in a focused manner and have therefore been able to achieve some successes in recent years. Participating in the tour was always in the back of our minds. So we are all the happier to have received the invitation. Of course, the fact that she comes so early allows us to concentrate on working towards the start in order to 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)