Duel Belgian champion ready to give the Tour de France another try in 2011 following two year hiatus
2010 Belgian double national champion in the road race and the time trial, Stijn Devolder, is ready to take on the world's biggest race next year, the Tour de France. After a two year hiatus from the Grand Boucle, Devolder is aiming to return, "both for the overall and for a stage win," said the rider from Kortrijk to Het Laatste Nieuws.
The last time Devolder raced the Tour de France in 2008, he started the race with ambitions for a top ten overall finish after a stellar first half of the season, which included wins at the Tour of Flanders, the Tour of Belgium, and solid performances in the mountains at the Tour de Suisse. Unfortunately, the race did not go as planned, and the two-time Ronde van Vlaanderen champion withdrew in the 15th stage.
Devolder defends his 2008 performance: "Right, but I could not properly defend my chances, because I was ill. In the first week, I was in seventh place overall."
The effect of a disappointing Tour de France did not lure the rider who fares best at home back for two years, "but now I am ready to try the Tour again."
Before the Tour de France, there's Devolder's bread and butter season to get through first: the Spring. The all arounder is excellent over nearly any terrain, but there's no question that his abilities are at their greatest on the cobbled hellingen of Flanders. Even with a bid for the overall of the Tour de France on his mind, Devolder isn't planning on messing with the races that have made his career.
"I will ride the entire spring except for Milano-Sanremo and Gent-Wevelgem."
The 2010 Tour of Belgium winner will return to the Tour de France next July, but it won't be to go through the motions. Devolder is aiming big.
"I will start with ambitions both for the overall and stages. I might not be a winged climber, but I can improve on it."
If Devolder's climbing can improve, and he can perform outside of Belgium consistently, he has his excellent time trial abilities as a major asset as well. It's a long shot, but Devolder has shown himself to be a rider capable over any terrain when he's on.
The one thing the former Discovery Channel rider won't have to worry about is an invitation to race the Tour de France…hopefully.
"According to [team manager] Hilaire Van der Schueren, it should not be a problem. It seems that Vacansoleil will soon make its big debut in the Tour. I believe him."
Following what should hopefully be Devolder's first successful Tour de France attempt, it seems likely that the Belgian's season will peter out. The 31 year old has not been known for being strong from start to finish. If anything, Devolder has become notorious for incredible form for a few certain days per year - his two Tours of Flanders serve as prime examples.
If Devolder can be competitive through the spring and then manage a solid Tour de France, it would seem to be a bridge too far to keep pushing hard through the rest of the season, especially considering the reasonably easy route for next year's World Championships.
"I will not focus on the World Championships in the fall. Copenhagen is too flat for me. It is still very far away, but Valkenburg in 2012 appeals to me."