One more year at Luxembourg team for German veteran
Amid rumours of many of its stars wishing to leave RadioShack-Nissan, German veteran Jens Voigt has extended his contract with the team for another year. The popular rider from the north coast of eastern Germany has been a professional since 1997, and is currently the oldest rider in the International Cycling Union (UCI) WorldTour.
“I’m very happy to confirm that I will stay with the team for another year,” he said in a statement through the team. “I have been a loyal rider throughout my career and I’m proud that I will be able to continue to share my experience with the boys and help them win.
“I had good offers from two other teams, but I’m pleased to stay where I am,” he added. “I really wanted to ride for one more year and I’m convinced this is the right decision for me. When I told the boys, they were laughing that I said ‘one more year’ a year ago as well, but we’ll see what the future brings. I’m almost 41 now, but I feel I can still be an asset to the team, so that’s why I continue.”
Voigt’s 41st birthday is actually in less than a month, on September 17th, which means that he will be 42 when his current contract expires. Having spent most of his career in the service of others, the German has taken at least one victory every year – including a record equalling five editions of the Critérium International. So far this season he has come close, but hopes to score his first win before the end of the year.
He is currently riding the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, putting himself in the stage one breakaway.
“I hope we can finish this season on a nice note and I’m already looking forward to next year,” he said. “I’m convinced that we didn’t get the most of this season, for a variety of reasons. We will learn from this season, as we always do at the end of a season and we will work even harder to be stronger.
“This decision takes a lot of weight of my shoulders,” he added. “I can concentrate on the racing now, because the USA Pro Challenge is a very important race for us. My head is clear now; the focus is on.”
Team manager Johan Bruyneel is understandably delighted with the news that one of his senior riders will be with him for another year. The embattled Belgian has struggled with a number of problems in the team this year, and currently faces charges from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), over an alleged doping conspiracy during his years working with Lance Armstrong.
“This is very good news for our team,” said Bruyneel. “Jens is of great importance for us and I’m glad and proud that he wants to stay with us. He’s the perfect road captain. He proved that in the Tour de France this year, possibly his strongest Tour ever. Also the fact that several other teams were ready to sign him proves his value.
“Jens is really a school book example of a professional rider.”