Quick Step sprinter Wouter Weylandt is upset about missing an opportunity to be on the start line at the Tour de France in Rotterdam, The Netherlands this Saturday. Weylandt wasn't on his Belgian team's 15-man Tour de France roster that was required to be submitted in April, so the Amaury Sports Organization (ASO), who organize cycling's biggest event, wouldn't let him take part in the race.
"Too bad I was not on the list of 15, but the Tour [de France] was just not on my program. This was a fantastic opportunity," Weylandt told Sporza. "Mark Cavendish is not as dominant and the sprints are much more open."
Initially Tom Boonen was scheduled to take the start, but knee problems have forced him to give up his chances for another green jersey.
Organizers have legitimate reasons for making teams submit a Tour de France long list. Having names of participants means that all of the riders who take part in their event can be put under greater scrutiny when it comes to doping controls.
The 25 year old came into the year on the hot seat, and it heated up to a level of major discomfort after a poor showing in the early season. Quick Step boss Patrick Lefevere expected him to be the team's heir apparent to Tom Boonen, but his lack of results drew great criticism in the press and put his place on the team in jeopardy.
Weylandt was sent to the Giro d'Italia and managed to snag an opportunistic win in stage three of the race. The Belgian took advantage of André Greipel's (HTC-Columbia) hesitation, and weaved in between his leadout to secure his year's sole victory. His best performance following that was seventh in stage nine before abandoning the race. Despite his name not being on Quick Step's designated Tour de France team, Weylandt argues that his racing schedule should have been enough for the ASO to make an exception.
"It's completely ridiculous," Weylandt said. "Since I rode the Giro [d 'Italia], I had more doping controls than others who will be riding the Tour. This is frustrating," he said, "it has slowed down my career."
To complicate matters, Weylandt missed his home Tour due to the same bout with gastroenteritis that saw him withdraw from the Giro d’Italia. On his return to Gent, Belgium he was hospitalised due to resultant dehydration, thus losing another opportunity to convince Lefevere he is back on track.
"Suppose my stage win in the Giro was confirmed [by winning a stage at the Tour de France]. Then my value would be seriously inflated," he explained to the paper. While a stage win at the Tour would be possible, with the best of the best focused on peaking for the Grande Boucle, he would have certainly been a surprise winner. Still, he hopes the ASO might be put under pressure to change things in the future.
"I heard that seven teams have tried to start a rider who is not on the list. Maybe those teams are knocking on the table," he concluded.