Contador looks to defend his title – he will ride SRAM’s Limited Tour Edition RED gruppo and Zipp wheels
Nine of the World’s best teams have chosen SRAM RED for the 2011 Tour de France. Overall favorites, climbing specialists, sprinters, and many of the Tours rising stars will begin with SRAM original RED, Black RED, or SRAM’s Limited Tour Edition RED gruppos.
The biggest name is returning champion Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank Sungard), aiming at his fourth title. There are challengers aplenty, most of whom we highlight here, of course these are the favorites that have ‘Made the Leap’ to SRAM.
Teams and the riders to watch during the 2011 Tour:
Team Saxo Bank-Sungard™ (DEN): Bjarne Riis and his Saxo Bank-Sungard squad will look to support Contador in his attempt at a fourth title.
Frame: Specialized Componentry: SRAM RED Wheels: Zipp
Team RadioShack™ (USA): The second-year SRAM-equipped super squad hosts the most challengers for the overall of any team including: Chris Horner (USA), Levi Leipheimer (USA), Jani Brajkovic (SLO), and Andreas Kloden (GER).
FRAME: Trek Componentry: SRAM RED
Katusha™ Team (RUS): The Russian superteam features the intimidating overall challenger Vladmir Karpets (RUS), who finished 12th in 2009, and all-round threat Alexandr Kolobnev (RUS).
Frame: Focus Componentry: SRAM RED
Vacansoleil-DCM™ Pro Cycling Team (NED): The Vacansoleil-DCM has surprised all year with riders from nearly every side of Europe, and will feature sprint threat Romain Feillu (FRA) and potential GC contender Marco Marcato (ITA).
Frame: Ridley Componentry: SRAM RED
Team Garmin-Cervélo™ (USA): The Garmin-Cervélo cycling team is a juggernaut of talent featuring sprinters Tyler Farrar (US), Thor Hushovd (NO) alongside overall threats Christian Vandevelde (US), and last years 7th place overall finisher, Ryder Hesjedal (CAN).
Frame: Cervélo Componentry: SRAM RED
Liquigas-Cannondale™ (ITA): Liquigas-Cannondale was the most successful Grand Tour team of 2010, and two-time Giro champion Ivan Basso (ITA) is squarely focused on winning the 2011 Tour de France.
Frame: Cannondale Componentry: SRAM RED
AG2R La Mondiale™ (FRA): The French-based team managed by Vincent Lavenu is packed with French opportunists John Gadret (FRA), who finished 4th at the Giro, and Christophe Riblon (FRA), who won stage 14 in 2010.
FRAME: Kuota Componentry: SRAM RED
Team Astana™ (KAZ): Khazakstan’s team will be headed by the always combative Alexandre Vinokourov (KAZ) and Roman Kreuziger (CZE), who finished 9th at the Tour in 2010.
FRAME: Specialized Componentry: SRAM RED
Saur-Sajasun™ (FRA): The French Saur-Sojasun squad was a wild-card and will feature the huge and fast legs of French sprinter Jimmy Casper.
FRAME: TIME Componentry: SRAM RED