Belgian team continues as UCI Pro Continental
Topsport Vlaanderen-Mercator, the second-tier Belgian squad, has confirmed its roster for the 2012 season. The team will once again feature time trial specialist Dominique Cornu, as well as seven names that are new to the squad. Six riders have transferred out, including Kris Boeckmans, who went to Vacansoleil-DCM, and Jerome Baugnies, who will ride for Team NetApp.
A regular participant in the spring Classics, the team known for young Belgian talent has helped spring the careers of current notable names like Jelle Vanendert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) and Thomas De Gendt (Vacansoleil-DCM), amongst others.
Along with Cornu, the team brings back 29-year-old Preben Van Hecke, who played a major role and eventually finished 25th in the 2009 Tour of Flanders, as well as 9th in the 2011 Belgian road championships. Two men who signed on as staggaires at the end of 2011, Arthur Vanoverberghe and Zico Waeytens, have signed contracts for the full season. Pieter Vanspeybroeck, winner of the 2011 Sparkassen Giro Bochum, also returns.
Topsport Vlaanderen-Mercator for 2012:
Sander Armée, Dominique Cornu, Kevin De Jonghe, Kenny De Ketele, Laurens De Vreese, Tim Declercq, Pieter Jacobs, Sven Jodts, Eliot Lietaer, Tim Mertens, Stijn Neirynck, Jarl Salomein, Pieter Serry, Tom Van Asbroeck, Preben Van Hecke, Gijs Van Hoecke, Michael Van Staeyen, Steven Van Vooren, Arthur Vanoverberghe, Pieter Vanspeybrouck, Zico Waeytens, Jelle Wallays