German veteran couldn’t resist the chance to help the Schlecks to Tour victory
From the outside, the transfer of Jens Voigt to the Luxembourg project for 2011 was seemingly a simple one – in a brief conversation with Danish television station TV2, reported on by Cyclism’Actu, Voigt reveals that the move wasn’t quite so simple.
Seven years of racing for Bjarne Riis isn’t something that one throws away in a whimsical moment, and Voigt was not eager to run away so quickly. When he took a step back though and took a closer look at where his friends were going and for whom he wanted to lend his substantial power to, the move became a necessary one.
“When it became obvious that [the Schlecks] were going to leave the team, they asked me where I wanted to go. I thought, I want to race with them. We were so close to winning the Tour with Andy, and I would get another chance to win the race with Andy and Frank.”
The popular hardman admits, however, that had the decision not already been made, he might have reconsidered once the news of Contador’s clenbuterol positive broke.
“When I made my decision, everything was good. The sponsors were in place and Contador was on the way. I must say that became more complicated recently, and I thought I had to go back to Saxo Bank and help them, but I already made my decision.”
With or without Contador, Voigt’s decision had been made, and it was made all along with the idea of helping the Schleck brothers to the top step of the Tour de France podium next July. The rider, who will turn 40 at the end of the 2011 season, chose to stay close to the riders that he’s close to – and why not – at 39 years old, Voigt has achieved much, but the opportunity to bring either Andy or Frank to the overall win at the Tour de France after years of sacrifice and struggle together…how could he turn that down?
“I prefer working with the Schleck brothers, because they are good friends, and I would not have to work for Contador [against the Schlecks].”
The full details, including the name of the Luxembourg team, have not been disclosed as of yet, but the big announcement is set to come out very soon.