The Belgian Quick-Step team has announced their line-up for the Vuelta a España, which includes Australian Allan Davis and Belgian Wouter Weylandt.
Davis was the “tenth man” for Quick-Step’s Tour de France team this past July, but was forced to stay home after teammate Tom Boonen, 2007 former green jersey winner, won a court battle for inclusion into the race when organizers tried to ban him for a positive cocaine test during an out of competition doping control.
Recently team boss Patrick Lefevere said Weylandt would not be included on the roster, but seems to have since reconsidered based on his performance in the Eneco Tour. This might be the riders’ last proving ground to stay on good terms with his team management. Weylandt won a stage in last year’s edition.
The Vuelta begins Saturday with a short time trial in Assen, Netherlands and ends on September 20 in Madrid. With the start being held close to home, the Quick-Step will be looking to impress their fans early.
“Our main objective is to win some stages, even if it won’t be easy to repeat last year’s result of five stage wins,” said team manager Wilfried Peeters.
“This year, starting in Holland and passing through the roads of Belgium in front of our fans will give us even more motivation to do well.”
The team will also bring Tom Boonen to the race. Boonen showed that he is back on form in the Eneco Tour, having some close calls and winning a stage.
Two-time Tour of Flanders winner Stijn Devolder is on the start list as well as Kevin De Weert and Maarten Wynants.
Italians Matteo Tosatto and Marco Velo will add to the strength of the leadouit, while Spaniard Carlos Barredo, recent winner of the Clasica San Sebastian, will look towards stage wins on the hilly courses.
Quick Step team for the Vuelta:
Allan Davis (AUS), Tom Boonen, Wouter Weylandt, Stijn Devolder, Kevin De Weert, Maarten Wynants (all BEL), Matteo Tosatto and Marco Velo (ITA), Carlos Barredo