After losing star rider Tom Boonen to a persistent knee injury just day’s before the race started could have spelled the end of Quick Step’s Tour de France. With the first stage finishing in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, the team’s homeland, it was still bad news; the other riders on the team managed to step up though, and the team’s Tour became a success in other ways.
The biggest headlines were taken by the team’s French riders, particularly the big French star Sylvain Chavanel. “Mimo” won two stages, taking the yellow jersey for a day on both occasions, and was awarded the prix de la combativité, the prize for the most aggressive rider in the race.
“Sylvain’s award is a prize for an excellent Tour," said Lefevere. "In the first days of the race Chavanel and [Jérôme] Pineau gave performances that made them authentic leaders of the entire group. The team was also able to shine at the highest levels thanks to an atmosphere inside the squad that got better with each passing day. Our Tour has exceeded our own expectations.
“7th place in the final team standings is testament to a job well done."
Pineau, Quick Step’s other Frenchman, was also out on the offensive with Chavanel during the first week. He took the polka-dot jersey on the stage to Spa, the first of Chavanel’s stage wins, and increased his lead in the classification on the second stage his compatriot won, to Station-des-Rousses.
Unfortunately for Pineau he was involved in the crash on the next day’s stage to Morzine-Avoriaz, which also brought down World champion Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) and Lance Armstrong (BMC Racing). He was unable to get any mountain points that day and gave up on taking the jersey to Paris.
"I’m really sorry about Pineau’s polka dot jersey,” said Lefevere. “Jérôme deserved the chance to defend the jersey to the end, without having to give it up because of a fall."
The team’s best finisher in the overall classification was Kevin De Weert, who finished 1Xth in his first appearance in the race. “We are also very happy with Kevin De Weert’s progress,” Lefevere said. “We knew he was a good racer and he’s finally showing his worth. He’s made a lot of sacrifices to make it to this level, working a lot on his weight and on climbs. His results are his reward
“The rest of the crew stepped up to the situation too,” he concluded. “Some breaks, like Barredo’s in Pau, could have been luckier. We are really satisfied of our team and we look forward for other good performances”