Canadian wheels take BORA-Argon 18 riders back to the Tour de France for the second consecutive year

After proving decisive in a very high profile way at last year’s Tour de France—the first for German squad BORA-Argon 18—the bikes of Montreal-based manufacturer Argon 18, it’s been announced, will once again roll at this year’s competition. With Argon frames having contributed to a podium finish in 2015, BORA-Argon 18 will be back at the Tour’s start line for 2016.

Gervais Rioux, Argon 18’s president and founder, recalls the action of last season’s Tour that furthered the reputation of his brand’s gear.

“Our products performed well in last year’s Tour de France,” he said, “and this was highlighted by Emanuel Buchmann’s podium finish on the Queen Stage. This is partly why BORA-Argon 18’s world-class riders are able to take on the toughest race of the season with confidence. This notion inspires us all in our perpetual quest to push the boundaries of performance.”

“The Tour de France,” Rioux added, “is an unparalleled showcase that will allow us to be recognized as one of the very best bike brands in the world.”

When this year’s competition starts on July 2, the team is focused on making the race tempo all but explode from the very beginning. In the opening flat stage, sprinter Sam Bennett, whose 2015 season featured five key wins, will be a highlight of the team’s efforts, while Emanuel Buchmann and Dominik Nerz will be the team’s juggernauts on the Tour’s grueling mountain stages. Overall, the squad’s goal, officials said, is to once again pour on the heat in the leading peloton, and cause a few upsets in general classification.

To team manager Ralph Denk, the significance of simply being invited back to the Tour de France can’t be overstated.

“[It] s a big honour,” Denk offered. “But it is also a proof that we have presented ourselves very well in the past, and always showed good performances. Now the whole team can focus on the preparations for our highlight: the 2016 Tour de France. The most important thing now is that all our guys stay healthy. And we just need some luck to be spared from any crashes in the first frantic week.”

“If the preparation is good, without any problems,” Denk said, “a lot will be possible.”