French climber to leave Dutch team after lacklustre season, may be off to join the Schleck brothers
French climber Brice Feillu is to leave the Dutch Professional Continental team Vacansoleil after just one year of a two-year contract, according to De Telegraaf. The 25-year-old has reportedly had problems fitting in with the Dutch team; he has struggled both with the language and with the aggressive racing philosophy. He was also unhappy that the team was denied an invitation to last month’s Tour de France and they have agreed a mutual separation.
“It has been decided that Brice and Vacansoleil will go their separate ways at the end of the season,” said a spokesman for the team.
Brice, and elder brother Romain, both signed for the Dutch team at the end of last year after the French Agritubel team folded. Vacansoleil hoped that the acquisition of the two up-and-coming French riders would increase its chances of a wildcard invitation to the Tour de France. Brice won the stage to Andorra-Arcalis last year, while Romain wore the yellow jersey for a day in 2008. The team has been passed over by all three Grand Tours though, as well as a number of other major races.
While Brice Feillu has not had a good time with his new team – his best results have been two eighth places in the GP d’Ouverture La Marseillaise and the GP de Plumelec-Morbihan – Romain has fared a little better. The elder brother, a sprinter, has had a more consistent season and won the fourth stage of the Vuelta a Burgos last week. While Brice is on his way to a different team, there is no indication that Romain is going anywhere.
Both riders have been linked to a move to the new Luxembourg team created around Fränk and Andy Schleck; it is possible that Brice may join the team alone.