Belgian team will target stages.
The Quick Step team took off from Frankfurt, Germany today to head to the United States for the Tour of California. Leading the squad will be Belgian national champion Tom Boonen, who already has a victory in Sacremento two years ago to his credit.
Boonen will be looking to test the legs of HTC-Columbia sprinter Mark Cavendish, who was the undisputed sprint king last year. Cavendish has had a tough start to the season due to a dental problem that interrupted his build-up. Some feel he's still not back to his best, and the Belgian will try to capitalize on that.
Quick Step will also bring Spaniard Carlos Barredo, Belgians Kurt Hovelijnck, Kevin Hulsmans, Nikolas Maes, Jurgen Van De Walle and Maarten Wynants, and German Andreas Stauff. Barredo won the Clásica de San Sebastián last year, and will be another option for the team to have success.
Team sports director Wilfried Peeters likes this year's route, and thinks the event's move to May has made it more important on the calendar.
“The Tour of California is a great race. The route is very interesting and the teams on the starting line are very competitive, with great riders," Peeters said. “Our goal is to try to win a stage and to be ready to take advantage of every chance the race will give us. By moving the race to May, the Tour of California has also become important in terms of the lead up to the Tour de France.”
The team thinks that the Tour of California is the best option for Boonen to start the second half of his season. Following California, Boonen is scheduled to ride in the Tour de Suisse (June 12-20, 2010), and the Halle-Ingooigem on June 23rd. Then the team will check out the 3rd stage of the Tour de France where it visits some of the cobblestone sectors used in Paris-Roubaix. “It’s an important stage in the Tour," Boonen Explained, "A reconnaissance on those roads is always important to memorise the route.”
Boonen will then try to defend his Belgian title as the last official event before the Tour de France.
Quick Step for the 2010 Tour of California:
Carlos Barredo, Tom Boonen, Kurt Hovelijnck, Kevin Hulsmans, Nikolas Maes, Andreas Stauff, Jurgen Van De Walle, Maarten Wynants
Director Sportif: Wilfried Peeters