29 year old Tom Stubbe has become the latest intriguing signing for the drastically improved Donckers Koffie-Jelly Belly Team heading into the 2011 season.
The Belgian rider was a promising young talent following his 3rd overall finish at the Tour de l'Avenir in 2006, but has not managed to live up to the immense expectations that followed that premiere result four years ago. Three solid seasons with Chocolade Jacques led to a jump to the top level, but his run of success ended there. He spent 2008 with Francaise des Jeux, then signed a two year deal with Omega Pharma-Lotto, which amounted to very little, so it came as little surprise when the rider was not re-signed at the end of the season.
The move to Jonckers Koffie could be a good one for the talented rider from Blankenberge. The Continental status certainly isn't ideal, but it should provide a place of refuge for Stubbe, where he can hopefully return to the trajectory that made him a top prospect just a few years ago.
The Continental squad, formerly known as Qin, has made a big step up in the offseason, netting some notable names including QuickStep's Kurt Hovelynck and Kevin Hulsmans, as well as former Garmin riders, Ricardo Van Der Velde and Huub Duyn.