Boonen at Quick-Step through 2013

Posted on June 22, 2011 by

Photo by Luc Claessen, ISPA Photo

This just in via Quick Step press release…

22-Jun-2011: Quick-Step Cycling Team is pleased to announce that Tom Boonen has renewed his contract with the team.

Boonen will race with the team guided by Patrick Lefevere for the next two seasons (2012 and 2013), with an option to extend his contract until 2014.

“We are very satisfied about the agreement we have reached,” Team Manager Patrick Lefevere said. “Our team’s history is strictly connected to Tom’s history. Our team grew thanks to Tom, too, just like his personal achievements and the trophies he got are a result of the effort our team made to help him. Tom has been with us ever since the team was founded in 2003, and it’s a pleasure to be able to go on working together.”

“I always said this team was my first choice,” said a satisfied Boonen. “I feel great here, it’s like a family. There’s a good, professional environment which is exactly what I want. I had a long chat with Patrick about the sports goals, and not just those, that he and Mr Bakala have for the team in the near future, and I was fascinated by their ideas. I am proud Patrick asked me to be a part of it, it’s a big sign of the team’s trust and consideration for me. Reaching this agreement will be a further incentive to do my best in the next few races and to give the team new successes as soon as possible.”

We’ll be really curious to see how things play out with Quick Step and Philippe Gilbert, who’s indicated that Quick Step was one of a handful of teams he was considering signing for in 2012. The overlap doesn’t seem too terrible between the two of them on paper, but Gilbert has indicated he has interest in contending in the more heavily cobbled spring races, including Paris-Roubaix. And what about Chavanel?

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2011 Tour de France – Ag2r’s Dilemma

Posted on June 22, 2011 by

Pavé would like to thank Handspun and Clement for supporting our coverage of the 2011 Tour de France.

Fotoreporter Sirotti

 

Only weeks ago, Ireland’s Nicolas Roche was the clear leader of Vincent Lavenu’s Ag2r-La Mondiale squad for the Tour de France. Following good showings in last year’s Tour (15th) and the Vuelta (7th), a good 2011 Tour de France didn’t seem too far off for him. Earlier this year it seemed as if Roche’s slowly improving performance had finally earned Lavenu’s blessing to be the squad’s Tour captain as Frenchman John Gadret (Ag2r’s only other GC option) was scheduled for the Giro d’Italia instead.

But Gadret‘s renaissance in this year’s Giro has catapulted the introverted climbing specialist into the spotlight. A confident late attack netted him a stage win in the early part of the race when the GC contenders weren’t giving away much leash , and consistent riding earned him 4th place overall, the best GC ride in a grand tour for a Frenchman in a long time. As a result, Lavenu is now publicly musing that Gadret should ride (he is) and perhaps lead the team at the Tour this year.

As covered by VeloNation, Gadret himself allowed this much, “If I go to the Tour, it will be as a support rider for [Jean Christophe] Péraud and Roche. It’s the same for Hubert [DuPont],” although he added, “unless I feel very strong or if Vincent asks me to fight.”

Has Vincent Lavenu lost his mind by cultivating such a convoluted leadership situation? Will Roche recover in time from his Dauphine crash? Does Ag2r have any hope of fielding both riders and not have a civil war?

Share your comments below.

 

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The Sticky Bidon – June 21, 2011

Posted on June 21, 2011 by

Interesting cycling items from across the Internet, June 21, 2011

Seen any cool links we missed? Share ’em in the comments below!

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2011 Tour de France – Which French team will be the most successful?

Posted on June 21, 2011 by

Pavé would like to thank Handspun and Clement for supporting our coverage of the 2011 Tour de France.

Fotoreporter Sirotti

 

In a previous post I argued that the French shall rise again–and indeed they are already on their way. But of course, the most relevant measure of any progress is success in their home tour. Which team will be the most successful in this year’s edition?

Here are the 5 candidates, all of which are managed by former coureur cyclistes.

Jean-Rene Bernaudeau’s Team Europcar

Despite having to wait for an 11th-hour sponsorship agreement, Bernaudeau’s Europcar squad seems to have successfully established itself from the ashes of the Bbox team, even if several stars decided to leave for more certain pastures. The star is clearly Thomas Voeckler, who seems to have shed his wonder-boy status to be a legitimate contender in one-day races or stage-hunting sorties. However, Voeckler is much more than just the star rider, he has matured to become a true leader. He is an effective helper when appropriate, and possesses an indefatigable spirit. Add to this a few legitimate stage win contenders such as Antony Charteau, and they have many cards to play.

With a cohesive squad and a strong leader, I expect Europcar to steal a stage or two, plus a leader’s jersey (the KOM?) for at least the first two weeks.

Marc Madiot’s Francaise des Jeux

Some of Bernaudeau’s loss was Madiot’s gain, in particular the move of Pierrick Fedrigo to FdJ. Some may dismiss him as merely a French National Championship specialist, but he did win the prestigious stage in Pau last year. With Sandy Casar in the squad as well, FdJ has a very potent mix of opportunistic rouleurs with several years of race-winning experience. Cyclocross-crossover Steve Chainel and Milan-San Remo star Yoann Offredo had good springs, but their endurance in a stage race is questionable–stage wins are their best bets for glory. After many years of investing in young talent and cultivating a spirit of winning, I believe Madiot’s squad will come away with several wins.

Vincent Lavenu’s Ag2r

Lavenu might have a civil war in his hands if he doesn’t manage his two aspiring stars – John Gadret and Nicolas Roche – well. A well-publicized public spat with teammate  Gadret in the 2010 Tour (where Roche was supposed to be the team leader) ensued following Gadret’s refusal to help Roche at an unfortunate moment. After these two riders, Lavenu has a shortage of quality GC contenders. Cyril Dessel’s great performance from a few years ago seems impossible to replicate, and Rinaldo Nocentini has been suffering through the season so far. In the end, I expect Ag2r to come-up bust. Roche was injured in the Dauphiné, and Gadret never excited in the Tour. His inability to time trial is be a severe handicap for any GC hope, yet the climbs are poorly matched to his strengths.

Eric Boyer’s Cofidis

If anything else, Boyer has enjoyed near-unlimited sponsorship support Cofidis so far. Cofidis has had great moments in the past, but its recent history has not been shining. Their greatest asset now is perhaps David Moncoutie, winner of TdF stages and the Climbers Jersey. After a few down seasons where he didn’t shine in the TdF, it appears that 2011 has been a good season so far, with a convincing performance in the Tour de Med.

For nostalgic reasons, I want to say that Cofidis might have a breakthrough Tour de France, but it really all hinges on Moncoutie. The team has also harbored dreams of having a GC contender for a long time; Estonia’s Rein Taaramae seems to be their top hope. He had a decent Paris-Nice, and is slowly overcoming his weakness in ITT. Perhaps he’ll score a top-15 placing? I’m not holding my breath.

Stephane Heulot’s Saur-Sojasun

It is easy to argue that Saur-Sojasun is this year’s “French affirmative action” team. With a small budget and limited support, the Tour de France is the biggest show of the team’s two-year existence. There are a few riders of note though, including veterans Jimmy Casper, Jimmy Engoulvent, Arnaud Coyot, Sebastien Joly, and youngster Jerome Coppel. Coppel is worth paying attention to, even if this year may not be his breakthrough Tour–yet. He has some good results including 5th in last year’s Dauphine Libere. Only 24 years-old, age is on his side, though I expect he’ll need two more seasons to really make his mark.

And vous? Which French teams and riders do you think will have the most successful Tour de France?

Share your comments below.

 

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The Sticky Bidon – June 20, 2011

Posted on June 20, 2011 by

Photoreporter Sirotti

Interesting cycling items from across the Internet, June 20, 2011

Seen any cool links we missed? Share ’em in the comments below!

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Monday Musette – Suisse Wrap-Up, Nats, and DiUltegra

Posted on June 20, 2011 by

Fotoreporter Sirotti

 

Here’s this week’s Monday Musette:

1. The Tour de Suisse wrapped-up yesterday, officially closing the books on the pre-Tour campaigns of many of this year’s favorites. Radio Shack’s Levi Leipheimer took a page from Bradley Wiggin’s playbook in winning the 9-day event. The American lingered at the top of the standings all week, finishing second atop the Triesenberg/Malbun ascent and third in Sunday’s individual time trial to take the overall win by four seconds over Lampre’s Damiano Cunego. Like Wiggins at the Dauphiné, Leipheimer didn’t win a single stage, instead using consistent climbing and an above-average time trial to take his most important victory since the 2009 Tour of California.

2. Now Levi heads to the Tour as a likely co-captain with Chris Horner of a Radio Shack team that will also boast Andreas Kloden and Janez Brajkovic. It will be interesting to see how Johan Bruyneel juggles this one, as both Horner and Leipheimer probably feel justified leading the team while Kloden and Brajkovic will improve as the race progresses. This could get messy.

3. And speaking of Radio Shack, is it just me or does the team have its finger on the pulse of the Portuguese talent pipeline? Paulinho, Machado, and now Nelson Oliviera (Sunday’s fourth-place finisher)—give some credit to Portuguese DS and former Bruyneel soldier Jose Acevedo for his terrific scouting.

4. As for Damiano Cunego, what does a guy have to do to win a bike race? Too strong to be left off his leash but not strong enough to win the race overall, one has to wonder if he would have traded a few days in yellow for a stage win or two. Now Cunego heads for the Tour—Stages 1 and 4 especially suit the Italian’s strengths. Regardless, the Little Prince’s first order of business is Sunday’s Italian National Championship.

5. Another rider targeting the Tour’s first week, Philippe Gilbert won the Ster ZLM Toer after winning Saturday’s Queen Stage in the Ardennes—essentially the same strategy Gilbert used to win the Tour of Belgium in May. But despite the victory, Gilbert still feels as if he’s not at the top of his game. The last time he said that was April—and we all know what happened then.

6. But don’t expect to see Gilbert take home his first Belgian Championship Sunday. While Phil’s never one to overlook, the course in Hooglede-Gits is pretty much pancake flat—Tom Boonen and Greg Van Avermaet might be better choices or maybe even Jens Keukelaire or Niko Eeckhout.

7. A sentimental favorite in Belgium this Sunday has to be Vacansoleil’s Thomas De Gendt. The young Belgian won his second stage in an important stage race by taking Friday’s stage win. Who needs Stijn Devolder when you have a talent like this?

8. Speaking of Belgium, Alberto Contador thinks Jurgen Van Den Broeck can contend for the overall title. Is the Spaniard bluffing or it possible?

9. At the Route du Sud—the Tour preparation event that everyone seems to forget—Anthony Charteau and Vasil Kiriyenka both displayed some fine form. Will Europcar and Movistar enjoy a banner Tour de France? And will Daniel Martin’s win in the Giro di Toscana be enough for the Irishman to earn his first invitation to France?

10. And last but not least, it looks like Shimano’s moving forward with an Ultegra version of its Di2 electronic groupset. We’ve started a conversation about it here—come share your thoughts.

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