Volksbank to Deutschland Tour

Team Volksbank has received the final wildcard invitation to the Deutschland Tour. Race Director Kai Rapp announced the invitation Wednesday, saying that the team's participation in the biological passport programme and membership in the Movement for a Credible Cycling (MPCC) were the main reasons for its inclusion.

"The wildcards for the Tour de Suisse and the Deutschland Tour show that we are a solid part of the ProTour in the German-speaking region," said a happy Thomas Kofler, team manager of the Austrian Professional Continental team.

The Deutschland Tour this year has its prologue and first stage in Austria, which Kofler noted. "In our 'home game' we want to shine, to be worthy representatives of the 'red-white-red' and show that our inclusion is athletically justified. As always, our goal is a stage win, which is really very possible."

The other wildcard was given in April to the Dutch Professional Continental Team Skil Shimano, which is also a member of the MPCC.