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Monday, February 16, 2009 Quick Step heads to Portugal by Steve Jones at 12:09 PM EST   comments Categories: Pro Cycling   Team Quick Step is heading to the Volta ao Algarve this Wednesday with last years winner Stijn Devolder. The Belgian classics rider is still playing catchup due to knee problems from a crash earlier this year. The injury has had an effect on his early season preparation, but the rider is still determined to defend his 2008 Tour of Flanders win. "It won’t be easy to repeat last year’s victory," explained Devolder, "the problems I have had with my knee have slowed down my preparation for the race. At present I’m fine and the Challenge Mallorca was great in getting me back into rhythm. The most important thing is that I no longer have any problems with my knee." De Jongh, who recently had a nasty fall during the Tour of Qatar will also be taking part in the Portuguese race. "I only started training again on Saturday and I rode for 4 hours on Sunday," De Jongh explained. "Things seem to be going well and I feel good. After speaking to our team’s medical staff we decided that I could take part in this race. This will be an important trial for me in light of forthcoming races". "We are really pleased to have De Jongh back," Director Rik Van Slycke explained. "Devolder isn’t on the same form as last year but we can certainly count on athletes such as Rosseler and Chavanel who are both very good in the time trial. Once again the last day’s time trail will be decisive." Riders: Sylvain Chavanel, Steven De Jongh, Dries Devenyns, Stijn Devolder, Sebastien Rosseler, Matteo Tosatto, Kevin Van Impe, Wouter Weylandt. Directors: Rik Van Slycke and Rik Verbrugghe.       comments Follow @Pro_Cycling Tweet Subscribe via RSS or daily email Contact the editor about this article