Gert Steegmans is looking forward to signing with a new team after his falling out with the Katusha management this season. At this time he has no official word on a new team, but a private sponsorship from BBB, a bike parts and accessories company, has been offered to support the Belgian until he inks a new deal.
He told nieuwsblad.be he was really looking forward to the 2009 season, and being able to race with fellow Katusha sprinter Robbie McEwen, but after a back injury the relationship with team manager Andrei Tchmil went south.
“I consider this year completely lost,” said Steegmans to the Belgian newspaper. He was disappointed with the fact that Tchmil had no patience with his recovery from a back injury after a good start to the season.
“You can’t expect when the doctor says there is a problem that the following day you are back in top form.”
His last race with the Russian team was the Dauphine Libere, where he was trying to get his racing fitness back for a shot at the Tour de France. But a ride in the biggest race of the year was denied by team management holding the opinion that Steegmans didn’t deserve to ride, and subsequently suspending him for refusing to sign an anti-doping addendum to his contract.
Davy Daniëls from BBB said,”We welcome the opportunity to help Gert when he is having some difficulty. It is logical that he no longer wants to ride with the Katusha team.” The parts manufacturer plans to help Steegmans until something official comes his way, likely in the form of a deal with French team BBox Bouygues Telecom.