Phonak: It's all about the team

After finishing second in the ProTour team time trial in Eindhoven last Sunday, Phonak now lead the UCI ProTour teams classification, and have indicated they will continue to focus on finishing the season as one of the world's top three teams.

"This is fantastic, and it's proof that we're a team with quality," said Phonak CEO Andy Rihs.

Added team manager John Lelangue: "It's great motivation to start out the Tour de France as number one. For me, it's confirmation that we have a good team - and one without individual competitors. But the most important point is the consistently high level that the team has displayed the entire season.

"The fact that we were able to establish ourselves among the five best teams is very important to us. For us, a top five ranking is the achievement of our main goal - that we've now been able to take the lead is super. It's very important, both for the team as well as the sponsors."

Lelangue also said Phonak will try and make the podium spot at every race they compete in for the rest of the season, but will continue to focus on the ProTour teams classification.

"It certainly won't be easy," Lelangue said about their ambitions, "but I prefer this challenging starting position compared to being in 11th or 12th position with a points deficit. Things are very close among the top four teams. Therefore, it's important that we continue scoring regular points in every race.