Vacansoleil's Björn Leukemans would have no problem if Stijn Devolder would join the team, but is unhappy with the management of the Dutch team. While Vacansoleil has joined RadioShack in the hunt for Devolder, Leukemans sees his position deteriorating within the team.
"I am being pushed into the background," Leukemans told the Gazet van Antwerp. "The currently set riders shall also ride in the Vacansoleil colors next year," manager Daan Luijkx declared recently, according to the Belgian paper. Soon thereafter it became clear that there was an interest in signing Devolder.
Leukemans, with an excellent season so far, says that he has not heard anything about a contract extension yet. "That is really tough to swallow," says Leukemans. "After the classics season I had a really good talk with the management. A contract extension and an adjustment of my salary should not have been a problem."
Leukemans finished second in Dwars door Vlaanderen, fourth in the Ronde van Vlaanderen and sixth in Paris-Roubaix. With finishing sixth in the Tour of Luxembourg, Leukemans also showed that he can do well in stage races.
"Around the time of the Tour of Belgium, the tone changed a bit," Leukemans said about the management. "Then last week I read that the team is almost on terms with Devolder. I have no problem with him, but I am being pushed back. That is not showing much respect."