One of cycling’s most colourful characters, Jens Voigt, has been confirmed as moving to the new Luxembourg cycling team for the 2011 season.
The news, which has long been rumoured, will see the 39 year old German follow team-mates Andy and Franck Schleck to the squad, which is expected to get a ProTour licence and will target victory in the Tour de France.
Voigt has been a part of the Saxo Bank team for many years and rode alongside both Schleck brothers in recent Tours. He helped Carlos Sastre to victory in 2008, and Andy Schleck to the runner-up slot in the past two seasons. Continuing the bond with the brothers is a big part of his motivation.
“I wanted to come to this team because I am very excited about this project,” he explained. “I love the idea of continuing to work with the Schlecks; we work well together and know what we can expect from each other.”
“I had a great time at my former team and found a lot of personal and common success, but after seven years, I felt it was time to make a change. Change often sharpens you again, and I am looking forward to doing some things in new ways: new training methods, new materials, new team-mates. I hope to be good enough next year to make the Tour team at least one more time and to help one of the Schlecks onto the highest step.”
Team manager Kim Andersen worked with him for many years in Saxo Bank and will do so again in 2011. “What can you say about Jens? He is a rider that any team would love to have on its roster,” he said. “He has such depth and a love for the sport, which he proved by coming back after his terrible crash in the 2009 Tour.
“Jens has been around for quite a few years, but he still rides in the group with the excitement of a teenager. He is good for everyone’s morale and you can always count on Jens, which is a huge advantage.” He said that the German veteran would help the others through his experience and also his sense of humour.
Others from the current Saxo Bank team are also expected to head to the new, as-yet unnamed Luxembourg squad. These include Stuart O’Grady, Jakob Fuglsang, Linus Gerdemann and Daniele Bennati, although the full lineup won’t be confirmed just yet.
Voigt underlined that he wasn’t moving just to be a domestique. “I have won at least one race in every year I have been a professional, so I would definitely like to keep that streak going,” he explained. “I’m never going to win the Tour de France myself, but I am still happy to have chances to race for myself in events like Paris-Nice and the Tour of California. My ambitions are still strong.”