Sidelined from racing since breaking his finger in the Tour of Britain, crowd favourite Jens Voigt will make his competitive return in the Santos Tour Down Under next month. The affable German has been confirmed as part of a seven-man RadioShack-Nissan team, and will join forces with the Italian sprinter Daniele Bennati, fellow German Linus Gerdemann, Kiwis Hayden Roulston and Jesse Sergent, the Belgian Ben Hermans and the Portuguese rider Tiago Machado.
“We look forward to welcoming back Jens Voigt,” said Santos Tour Down Under race director Mike Turtur, knowing he is a big acquisition for the race. “Not only is Jens is a three time Tour de France stage winner, he is an absolute crowd favourite.”
Voigt is known for three characteristics; dedicated team support, aggressive racing and a strong sense of humour; all these should make him a hit in Australia.
The< 40 year old rider spoke to VeloNation last month and said then that he was motivated to keep on racing, remaining in the sport at an age that many would have retired. “It is good that I have one more year ahead of me,” he said. “I can focus on something, I have got a goal. I still feel that I have something left to give.”
While he will play a wildcard role, the team’s top protected rider is likely to be Bennati. The ten-time Grand Tour stage winner knows that there is ample opportunity for bunch gallops, and Turtur believes he has a good chance to get his year off to a successful start in Australia.
“With seven stage wins during this year, I am sure Bennati will start the year strong and aim for results at our race as the first WorldTour race of the season,” he said.
Gerdemann and Roulston are others who could shine. The former is a past Tour de France stage winner and race leader is a strong climber and could fare well on the uphill finish of Old Willunga Hill. He won the Tour of Luxembourg in 2011 and wants to step up a level this coming season.
Roulston is known as an aggressive rider and, given his tendency to winter in the Southern Hemisphere, the current New Zealand national champion should be in strong form at that point of the season.
Overall, Turtur is looking forward to a big performance from the team. “RadioShack-Nissan-Trek has selected an impressive lineup to include a mix of Grand Tour experience and youthful competitiveness in their Santos Tour Down Under squad,” he said.
The Santos Tour Down Under begins on January 15th and runs for eight days.
RadioShack-Nissan-Trek for the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under:
Daniele Bennati (ITA), Linus Gerdemann (GER), Ben Hermans (BEL), Tiago Jose Pinto Machado (POR), Hayden Roulston (NZL), Jesse Sergent (NZL) and Jens Voigt (GER).
Team Manager, Jose Bent Carvalho de Azevedo (POR)