With the 2009 cycle road racing season about to heat up in Europe with the Spring Classics imminent, here is the low down on Team Quick Step
Who are Team Quick Step?
The team's title sponsor Quick Step is a Belgian flooring company who have sponsored the team for a number of years. Other sponsors include Peugeot and Specialized who provide the team with their bike frames.
The team's manager is Patrick Lefevere, a Belgian born former rider with a successful history with a number of other teams including Mapei.
Who are Team Quick Step's Riders?
Quick Step's number one rider is Tom Boonen. The toast of Belgian cycling, Boonen has won multiple Spring Classics, including the incomparable Paris-Roubaix, as well as the Tour de France's Green Jersey (winner of the points classification). Last year saw Boonen not at his best and alleged recreational drug use saw him barred from competing in the Tour. Despite this he still managed to win Paris-Roubaix, far more than 99% of professional riders could ever hope for in their entire careers.
Second only to Boonen in the team is another Belgian – Stijn Devolder, winner of the 2008 edition of the Classic Tour of Flanders. Devolder will be hoping to defend his title in 2009
Quick Step's full Roster:
Cataldo, Dario; Reda, Francesco; Vedel Kvist, Thomas; Seeldraeyers, Kevin; Davis, Allan; Barredo, Carlos; Weylandt, Wouter; Devenyns, Dries; Malacarne, Davide; Hovelijnck, Kurt; Van Impe, Kevin; Rosseler, Sebastien; Chavanel, Sylvain; Boonen, Tom; Devolder, Stijn; Pineau, Jerôme; De Jongh, Steven; Engels, Addy; Van De Walle, Jurgen; De Weert, Kevin; Velo, Marco
Cornu, Dominique; Tosatto, Matteo; Wynants, Maarten; Hulsmans, Kevin; Facci, Mauro; Schwab, Hubert.
How Did Quick Step Perform in 2008?
The team did well in 2008 taking 42 victories, second best in the Pro Tour after Team Columbia. They picked up victories in two Spring Classics – Paris – Roubaix and Tour of Flanders as well as earning a stage win in the Tour de France with the now departed Gert Steegmans.
What Are the Targets for Quick Step in 2009?
Team Quick Step is a Belgian team and with both Tom Boonen and Mananger Patrick Lefevere both Flandrians, the team will always aim to do well in the Belgian classics and Paris – Roubaix.
Expect both Tom Boonen and Stijn Devolder to feature prominently in the Northern Classics with at least one of them taking a victory or podium spot.
Mid-season the focus will shift to the Tour de France where Boonen will try to take the Green Jersey again.
The team is likely to pick up victories in one-day races and stage victories in tours throughout the season without ever really threatening the overall general classification in major stage races. Expect them to be near the top of the pile for victories in the season by the end of 2009.
References
Cycle Sport Magazine, April 2009
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