2009 was supposed to see Gert Steegmans move his career to the next level, but he has had to defer those plans until he begins with Radio Shack in January.
The Belgian rider hasn't competed in months after his Katusha team sidelined him following the Dauphiné Libéré over policy disagreements. The Russian squad sought to impose a rule that would see riders pay a fine of up to five times their year salary if they tested positive; Steegmans argued that this was excessive and, unlike riders such as Robbie McEwen, didn’t reach agreement with the team.
“Right now I am stronger than ever but I could not show it in half a year, "said a frustrated Steegmans to Gazet van Antwerpen. He admitted that he hasn’t trained hard lately. “For what, and for whose benefit? I have not even a goal.”
However he said that he is hungry for a fresh start, and is looking forward to lining out with the new American squad. “With Lance Armstrong's team, I am once again one step ahead. I can already see how professionally it is run…a phone and my new bicycle has already been delivered to my home. Such attention to detail makes a difference.”
Radio Shack has finalised most of its lineup for 2010. Amongst those confirmed for the team are Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer, Sergio Paulinho, Gregory Rast, Tomas Vaitkus and Haimar Zubeldia (all currently with Astana), Daryl Impey (Barloworld), Ben Hermans, Nikolas Maes (both Topsport Vlaanderen), Markel Irizar (Euskaltel Euskadi), Geoffroy Lequatre (Agritubel), Tiago Machado (Madeinox Boavista) and Sebasien Rosseler (Quick Step).
Steegmans won the final stage of the 2008 Tour de France and is best known as a sprinter.