FIRST AUSTRIAN ON AN AUSTRIAN BIKE AT THE TOUR
Cycling Austria has two reasons to be happy on this day. Not only because the B&B Hotels - KTM team has confirmed Sebastian Schönberger's participation in the Tour de France. It is also a day that will go down in domestic cycling history. For the first time a professional cyclist from Austria starts on an Austrian bike at the Tour.
And you can take this story, which sounds like something out of a storybook, even further: 28-year-old Schönberger lives just a stone's throw away from the KTM bike headquarters in Mattighofen, Upper Austria. He has been part of the KTM family all his life and has contributed greatly to the development of the entire bike segment with his feedback. Schönberger is currently riding his third season with the French B&B KTM Team. His Grand Tour nomination was on the line, despite strong performances in the spring. The Upper Austrian was hit by a car some time ago and found himself in hospital with various fractures. His brilliant comeback is now rewarded with participation in the world's most famous cycling race. For KTM Bicycle it is already the third Tour participation in a row. Together with this event, the market leader from Austria will present a new road bike frame, developed together with the Tour pros.
Sebastian Schönberger Statement:
"I am overjoyed that I am seeded for the Tour de France. After my serious training accident in the spring, I almost didn't believe in it any more, but still did everything to reach this goal. A dream come true. For me, this is like a wonderful confirmation that hard work, belief in oneself and emotional commitment to our beautiful sport pays off. Of course, during the three weeks I will do everything I can to ensure that our team is successful and I will put myself at the service of the team. Who knows, maybe one day all the good things will come together and I will succeed. We will see."