Jens Voigt has become a cycling icon during his illustrious career. The hardest of the hard men, Voigt will start a record-equalling 17th Tour de France if he is on the Leeds start line. During his illustrious career, the 42-year-old German has bagged 29 career victories – perhaps none more famous than at the 2006 Tour.
On a brutal 231km stage, in 35-degree heat, Voigt’s break went very early in the day with Oscar Pereiro and Sylvain Chavanel among those in tow. And the rest, as they say, is history. The German defied the brutal stage to counter-attack in the closing kilometres, before showing his phenomenal strength to beat Pereiro to victory – crossing just shy of half an hour in front of the bunch.
His reputation has sometimes counted against him – when Voigt goes, so do a whole heap of other riders who spot an opportunity. But it has not stopped him – his most recent victory seeing him foil the sprinters with a late attack in California last year.
And with him playing his part in several breaks again this year, do not bet against him earning one more before he hangs up his cleats.
