It turns out that the early speculation about Dirk Demol’s future with Team Astana was correct. The Director for the Quick Step team will be moving over to work with Johan Bruyneel once again. The combination had already proven to be the most successful Grand Tour management duo to date.
“These kinds of decisions are never easy,” explained Demol. “I joined this team at the beginning of the season with ambition and to test myself in a new environment. But in reality I was never 100% satisfied with myself. I felt like the kind of rider who’s always trying to find the right cadence even if I could count on a fantastic team and an interesting and inspiring competitive program. There’s no doubt as to my full on participation until the end of the season. I’ll continue to give it my all, as I have been up to now. I’d like to thank all the members of the team for the great times we had together.”
“Demol was by Bruyneel’s side for eight years,” commented Quick Step manager Patrick Lefevere,”throughout Lance Armstrong’s golden years and the rising of Contador’s star, building the season around the Tour de France and the other great stage races. Quick Steps’s philosophy is different, in consideration of both the historical and structural characteristics of the team as well as the athletes who make the roster. Our approach to the races and our work method were probably not completely assimilated by Dirk. We wish him and his team all the best for the future. “