RADIOSHACK NISSAN TREK successfully secured victory in the prestigious team classification in the 2012 Tour de France, leading Bradley Wiggins’ Team Sky by almost 6 minutes.
“Winning the Team Classification (the total of times for the first three riders on each stage) is always special, especially with only six riders left in the race,” said veteran rider Chris Horner. “It shows that our team has been strong for 20 stages long. We have been through some difficult moments, but we have managed to defend our lead. It’s a very nice way to pay back our three title sponsors for the trust they have given us.”
Team Director Alain Gallopin: “I’m a proud man today and I would like to express my gratitude to all riders and staff. Everyone has ridden a great Tour. Our goals were to take the prologue with Fabian (Cancellara) and defend the yellow jersey for as long as possible. Our line-up had a strong, broad base, so the Team Classification was another goal for us. Trying to win it means you not only need to be strong in the mountain stages, but also be present in the breakaways. People often underestimate this and guys like Jens and Popo have contributed a lot to this. If not for the bad news of Fränk (Schleck), there would only be good news.”
“The whole team worked hard to win the Team GC, that’s why it’s called that,” said Jens Voigt, who has now fifteen Tours on his counter. “I’m happy that I have contributed to this with what I could. Having only six riders left in the last week required individual ambitions to become less of a priority. It demands a lot of dedication, concentration and sacrifice from everyone.”
Best placed RSNT rider in the overall classification Haimar Zubeldia looks back at three intense, but joyful weeks of racing. “This Tour has been memorable in many ways. Because of the circumstances I was allowed to defend my GC chances and I scored my fourth top ten. I was ready to spend all my energy for Andreas and Fränk, but it is what it is. I don’t think I have ever enjoyed riding my bike as much as I have here. I was out for the whole month of April with cardiac problems and I didn’t do anything else except rest. I was very unsure about my future and preferred not to make much noise about my situation but of course the Team was informed about it. They supported me from the beginning and did not put any pressure on me. I returned to the peloton in May and now I’ve finished a great Tour de France. I am happy to be part of the Team that proved to be the Best Team in the 2012 Tour de France. I have to thank all the people who continued believing in me: Dr. Bodegas, my team, my friends and especially my family.”
