News: NetApp – Endura receives wildcard for the Critérium du Dauphiné

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The German/Scottish team NetApp – Endura with four British riders in the squad have been invited to the Critérium du Dauphiné.

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The organiser, ASO, offered the highest ranked German cycling team a wildcard for one the most important races in the international race program for the first time. After securing invitations to Tirreno – Adriatico and Tour of Lombardy (end of season monument in pro racing) this is the third WorldTour wildcard of the season for the team.

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“Riding the famous Dauphiné is a great honor for us” says Ralph Denk, Team Manager of Team NetApp – Endura. ASO already expressed its confidence in us with early invitations to the tours in Qatar and Oman. With today’s wildcard, they gave us an additional signal, which we really appreciate”.

“The Dauphiné is decisive in our racing schedule leading up to the summer, because our season goals remain unchanged. We want to compete in a Grand Tour again this year. With today’s wildcard, we have the optimal situation for preparing the new generation of tour riders in our team for this demanding goal. We will reward the confidence the organizers are placing in the team,“ Denk continued.

From June 2 – 9, the Critérium du Dauphiné has its 65th running through the southeast of France, where among others four mountain stages in the Alps challenge the riders. It was won last year by Britain’s Bradley Wiggins.

In other team news; British Circuit Race Champion Scott Thwaites (NetApp – Endura) was 10th on stage 2 of the Tour de San Luis (Argentina). His director sportif Jens Heppner says “We wanted the young sprinters to ride in the top 10 in this race. After we had started off well placed yesterday, Scott Thwaites reached 10th place–and one of our goals– with an enormous effort today. Michael Schwarzmann and Alexander Wetterhall rounded out a great day off with their results.”

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Scott Thwaites winning at home in Yorkshire.

“Today we consciously didn’t send any riders into the group. We speculated that the sprint would go our way. With many curves, narrow roads, and some wind, the conditions were not easy today. The guys rode very well. Scott, Michael, and Alex were in good form and sprinted right along with the first group over the finish line. My impression after the first two race days is that two teams have grown together, and the riders get along very well together. I am very pleased,” Heppner continued. Thwaites meanwhile simply said “Great day yesterday at San Luis. Really happy with a top 10!!”

 

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