Charismatic 39 year old rider Jens Voigt has reached an agreement with the current Leopard Trek team to remain on board for an additional year, and will therefore be part of the squad when it becomes RadioShack Nissan Trek in 2012.
“It is my dream to bring one of the Schleck brothers in the yellow jersey to Paris, so I’m happy to continue riding with them and try to secure an overall victory in the Tour de France,” he said today.
“It's been an exciting journey so far and I’m proud that I can be part of this team next season. The recent changes in the team’s structure have been challenging for all of us, and I hope there will be swift solutions for all riders and staff.”
Voigt accompanied the Schleck brothers, Fabian Cancellara and others when they moved from the Saxo Bank team last winter. He had signed a one year deal only as he wasn’t sure how long he wanted to remain in the sport, but a solid season has renewed his enthusiasm and he wants to continue.
“I may be turning 40 in a week, but my engine is big enough to support my captains,” he said. “Maybe I won’t win a race anymore, but I can certainly give the young riders some advice on how to win.”
Perhaps more important than victories, Voigt’s quirky character and sense of humour means that he is a big boost to a team’s morale. He is also a major draw for the fans, being one of the most popular riders in the peloton due to his riding style and personality.
2012 will mark his sixteenth season as a professional. He’s started 14 Tours de France and taken many important victories, including three stages of the Tour, one in the Giro, a record five editions of Critérium International and two editions of the Deutschland Tour.
Voigt will lead the Leopard Trek team at the Tour of Britain, which begins this Sunday. He will celebrate his 40th birthday during the event, but still has the energy and attitude of a much younger rider.