Tom Steels joins Quick Step as a trainer and part time race director
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Friday, October 29, 2010

Tom Steels joins Quick Step as a trainer and part time race director

by Ben Atkins at 12:32 PM EST   comments
Categories: Pro Cycling 		 
Former sprinter brings computer-based training to his old team
Tom Steels has joined Quick Step as a trainer and part time race director, the team announced today. Team manager Patrick Lefevere made the announcement that the former sprinter was to rejoin his team at a press conference.

Steels has developed a computer-based training method called Powertec that the Belgian ProTeam will be adopting, but he will also be lending his experience to the team from behind in the team car from time to time.

“We're happy to have Tom with us,” said Lefevere. “After a series of meetings with our staff we managed to work out a deal. His training methods are considered valid and efficient. Tom will also get the chance to put all his experience as a rider and his vision of the race to work for the team as occasional sports director for some particular times during the season."

39-year-old Steels rode for Lefevere at the Mapei team between 1996 and 2002, winning the Belgian championship three times and nine stages of the Tour de France. He became known as “Tom Bidon” after he was ejected from the 1997 Tour for throwing a water bottle at Frederic Moncassin in the finishing sprint. He returned the following year though to take four of his nine stages, including the prestigious final stage on the Champs-Elysées in Paris.

After leaving Mapei Steels rode for Landbouwkrediet from 2003 to 2004, then Davitamon-Lotto between 2005 and 2007; he returned to Landbouwkrediet in 2008 where he ended his racing career. He is pleased to rejoin the team where he had his greatest successes.

“The Powertec training method I use is based on a scientific approach to training,” he explained. “It's a system that analyses and elaborates data collected from the athletes through power measuring instruments used by every rider during training and competitions to improve their performance. My thanks to the squad for the faith they are showing me. I'm sure that our collaboration will deliver mutual benefits.

“I'm very happy to be working with one of the strongest teams in the world,” he added. “I also know many members of this group, whom I've already had the chance to work with, back when I was a rider."
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