Seventh at the Tour de France, having finished ninth at last year’s Vuelta a Espana, Leopold Koenig’s reputation as a GC contender is certainly growing.
After an injury-disrupted season, Konig proved himself at the Tour having earlier finished 11th at the Criterium du Dauphine and fourth at Bayern-Rundfahrt – which Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) won.
His last outing at the Tour of Britain saw him win a stage in Caerphilly and finish tenth overall, while he also finished ninth in 2011.
And this year he arrives on British shores as part of a strong Team NetApp-Endura side, riding the crest of a wave after a stunning season – capped by their Tour debut.
Team England’s Commonwealth Games silver medallist Scott Thwaites is among Koening’s team-mates as is countryman Jan Barta – who finished third in 2011.
Koening’s performance at the Tour de France showed Team NetApp-Endura can mix it with the best teams, and the Tour of Britain podium – at the very least – is certainly not out of reach.
