Patrick Lefevere says his team can afford both big stars; has the new Belgian project netted the country’s big Tour hope?
The season is less than half way through and the transfer rumour mill is already well and truly grinding, with the latest rumours coming from the big teams in Belgium. With a number of riders’ contracts coming up for renewal at the end of the year, as well as big sponsors Omega Pharma and Lotto going their separate ways, speculation has begun over the destination of the countries stars for 2012.
The biggest name in Belgium right now is Philippe Gilbert, who has been with Omega Pharma-Lotto for the past three years. A number of teams have been linked with his signature, and some have been ruled out, but the latest to throw its hat into the ring is Omega Pharma-Lotto’s big Belgian rival Quick Step.
“The [Tom] Boonen-Gilbert combination would be ideal,” Quick Step’s manager told Sporza, “and I have the budget.”
Like many teams, Quick Step is searching for new sponsors, but Lefevere is in the enviable position of not having to worry about the extra money he would need to bring Gilbert on board.
“It’s not a new sponsor,” he said, “but Zdenek Bakala [the Czech billionaire, who invested in the team this year] has guaranteed me the budget.”
Boonen is arguably as big a star as Gilbert in Belgium, even though he has not matched his good friend’s results in recent years, and has been with Lefevere’s team since 2003. Lefevere intends to hold on to the former Belgian and World champion, although Boonen has said that he is open to other offers, and feels that the combination of the two riders will work in his team.
Boonen and Gilbert are both Classics riders, although Gilbert is currently dominating the hilly classics and Boonen specialises in the cobbles, but Lefevere maintains that there would be room for both in the same team. The Belgian has, over the years, managed to combine the talents of many big stars in his teams.
“If you can get [Franco] Ballerini, [Johan] Museeuw and [Mario] Cipollini to ride together, and later Museeuw and [Michele] Bartoli, Museeuw and [Frank] Vandenbroucke and later Boonen, you can also get Gilbert and Boonen to ride together; I have no doubt.
“They know that they can compliment each other,” he added. “Boonen and Gilbert are different types; they wouldn’t tread on each other’s toes.”
Lotto Cycling Project to sign Jurgen Van Den Broeck?
Belgium’s big Tour de France contender Jurgen Van Den Broeck has signed a contract with the new Lotto team, according to Het Nieuwsblad. The sponsor, which currently partners Omega Pharma in Belgium’s number one team, but the two are going their separate ways from 2012 because of an apparent difference in vision.
Van Den Broeck has reportedly signed a four year deal, which would keep him with the new team until 2015. Officially, transfers are not allowed to be confirmed until after August 1st though, and Van Den Broeck’s manager Jef Van Den Bosch has refused to confirm or deny the rumour.
According to Het Nieuwsblad, Van Den Broeck will not be the only one following co-sponsor Lotto to the new team, although no other riders have been named. Reportedly Omega Pharma-Lotto’s general manager Marc Sergeant will be leading the team, along with team directors Herman Frison and Mario Aerts; the latter of which is to retire from racing at the end of the season.
The new team will reportedly be riding Ridley bikes, which is currently the supplier to Dutch ProTeam Vacansoleil-DCM.
While Omega Pharma boss Marc Coucke is searching for a co-sponsor to replace Lotto, Belgian telecoms company Belgacom has reportedly reopened negotiations with the new Lotto team.