Amid the announcement that Omega Pharma and Lotto are to part ways as team sponsors at the end of the year have been rumours that the pharmaceutical company could be set to rejoin rival team Quick Step. Team manager Patrick Lefevere has released a statement officially denying any involvement of his team in the split, saying that any speculation could damage his search for a new sponsor.
“Quick-Step Cycling Team has had nothing to do with what's going on right now between Omega Pharma and Lotto, and there's absolutely no basis to the rumour going around about a partnership between Quick-Step Cycling Team and the Omega Pharma company for next season,” reads Lefevere’s statement. “The misinformation that appeared in some media is completely irresponsible and frivolous and it shows a gross lack of respect for Quick-Step Cycling Team, for our sponsors, for team Omega Pharma-Lotto and can even disturbing current and future negotiations with potential sponsors.”
The speculation has started largely because Omega Pharma co-sponsored Quick Step, through multivitamin brand Davitamon, in 2003 and 2004, before switching to the rival Lotto team in 2005. With the Quick Step flooring company ending its association with the team at the end of the year, many saw the possibility of Omega Pharma returning to Lefevere.