Tour de France organisers ASO have announced the four teams who will join the 18 World Tour teams in this year's race. Unsurprisingly two of the spots were reserved for French teams with Cofidis and Bretagne-Séché Environment making the cut, along with Swiss outfit IAM Cycling and NetApp-Endura from Germany.
However, there was disappointment for African team MTN-Qhubeka who failed to gain a spot. MTN-Qhubeka had recently missed out on entry to the Giro d'Italia, and must now go in search of a Vuelta wildcard if they are to make their grand tour debut in 2014.
NetApp-Endura manager Ralph Denk was understandably delighted with the news: "We have worked towards this news since the first day of the team's founding. That our wish has now become reality is overwhelming, and will put the whole team into a euphoric mood."
Team leader Leopold König, who took a memorable stage win on his way to ninth in last year's Vuelta, was certainly on a high after hearing the news. He told Cyclingnews that he can "improve on the GC result. I don't see anything to say that we can't do it again. I am confident of a top 10."
There was similar joy in the Bretagne-Séché camp. The French team will also be making their Tour debut in Leeds on 5 July after a spot became free with the promotion of Europcar to the World Tour for 2014.
"It's great for the team," said directeur sportif Emmanuel Hubert, "I know the team will meet the demands of the Tour. Now it's time for hard work and results."
ASO also announced the invitations for Paris-Nice and the Criterium de Dauphiné, all of which were shared between the four teams invited to the Tour.
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