Quick Step Manager denies that Vandenbergh will replace Belgian champion at Quick Step
Stijn Devolder is likely to head to Vacansoleil for the next season and his current manager at Quick Step, Patrick Lefevere, does not seem to be too concerned. It is unlikely that Stijn Vandenbergh will be replace Devolder, as some papers had speculated. Lefevere has no intention to buy out riders and Vandenbergh is still under contract with Katusha.
The last word in Devolder’s case does not seem to have been spoken yet. “If we offer the same to Stijn Devolder as Vacansoleil, then he must stay,” Lefevere told Belgian paper Sporza. But getting the contract details together are tricky. “Stijn would like to have a contract for two seasons, but that is not possible,” Lefevere said. “I can only give him a one-year contract, with an option for another year.”
Lefevere seems a bit surprised about the timing of the announcement. “I told Stijn that I wanted to talk to him after the Tour. If he can’t wait and wants to go to Vacansoleil, I won’t hold him up. “
Lefevere and Devolder were at odds earlier this year, for the lack of results and the inability of Devolder to repeat his Ronde van Vlaanderen victory. But he struck back at the Tour of Belgium and the Belgian National Championships.
Lefevere seems not willing to go all out to keep Devolder. “If his possible departure leaves a gap? Every gap can be filled by someone. It is then up to the others in the team.”
One things is obvious to Lefevere, that Vandenbergh is unlikely to fill the gap, should Devolder indeed leave. Het Nieuwsblad had reported these rumors. “Stijn Vandenbergh still has a contract with Katusha for another year.” Lefevere did not deny having talked to Vandenbergh. “After the stage to Morzine I shook his hand and asked him how it was, nothing more. But his manager does call me five times a day.”
The Quick Step boss did not categorically say no to Vandenbergh. “If he shows me a paper from Katusha manager Andrei Tchmil that he is free, then we can speak. But I won’t pay for a racer to get him free.”
Vandenbergh confirmed Lefevere’s estimation of the situation on his twitter account. “Het Nieuwsblad knows more than I do,” he wrote.