Redant would be second Omega DS to depart ahead of 2011 season
QuickStep isn’t the only Belgian ProTour team that appears to be hemorrhaging directors. According to Wielerland.nl, Omega Pharma-Lotto DS, Hendrik Redant, looks set to join the Pegasus Sports team out of Australia in 2011. Omega Pharma has already officially lost one other DS, Roberto Damiani, to Lampre next season.
Redant’s move to Pegasus would be yet another solid brick in the foundation of a team that looks set to make an intriguing bid for the ProTour next season. The Belgian veteran, Redant, would be a major asset to Pegasus in 2011, as he has a lifetime of knowledge concerning the Spring Classics, notably the Flemish one-day battles. Redant would also get the opportunity to rejoin his former sprinter extraordinaire, Robbie McEwen.
Redant’s departure headlines a laundry list of Omega Pharma exits heading into 2011. Leif Hoste, Greg Van Avermaet, Mickael Delage, Daniel Moreno, and Jean Christophe Peraud have all moved elsewhere for 2011, while Gerben Lowik, Glenn D’Hollander, Michiel Elijzen, Christophe Brandt, Wilfried Cretskens, Jurgen Van Goolen, Tom Stubbe, and Jonas Ljungblad have not had their contracts renewed. That’s thirteen riders all told.
The losses seem significant when put down in a list, but very few will be seen as critical losses. The losses will surely be offset by the significant signing of one Andre Greipel for 2011, along with twelve others. Greipel will finally get his chance to do battle on the world’s biggest stage, instead of being constantly pushed onto the minor side stages.