Quick Step has unveiled what is arguably one of the most attractive of the new team jerseys for the 2011 season, releasing images today of the kit it will use from next month onwards.
The team’s top rider Tom Boonen as well as the squad itself are pictured in the images, and have been using the kit during their training camp in Calpe, Spain.
Designed by Vermac, the jersey is an evolution of this year’s design, and features the team’s characteristic blue colour, along with flashes of bright red and white shoulders. The shorts are also primarily blue, with small white panels. They had been mainly black last year.
“It's a very nice outfit, it's technical and modern,” said the 2005 world road race champion. “Our race outfit perfectly matches the color of our Eddy Merckx Cycles bike. Everyone in the team is completely satisfied with it.”
The team is likely to make its competitive debut in the Santos Tour Down Under, with other riders competing in the Tours of Qatar and Oman. Boonen typically uses the latter two races to get his season underway, and has been very successful there in the past.
He is building up for what he hopes is a full return to form after a 2010 season frustrated by a knee injury. One of his main aims for the year will be to try to win the world road race championships in Copenhagen; it is taking place on a mainly flat course, with a slight uphill rise to the line.
Paris-Roubaix, the Tour of Flanders and the Tour de France are also likely to be key goals for the 30 year old. He has won Paris-Roubaix three times, the Tour of Flanders twice, and has clocked up six stage wins and the Green Jersey in the Tour.
