The Belgian Quick-Step team has named eight riders for the 2009 Tour de France, while their ninth rider will be determined by a French judge tomorrow.
Frenchmen Sylvain Chavanel and Jerome Pineau have both had a an excellent early season, and will be looking for stage wins in their home tour.
Belgians Stijn Devolder and Sebastien Rosseler are both good candidates for breakaways, and also have the class help their team match a Columbia-High Road leadout should Boonen be able to participate.
Belgians Steven De Jongh and Jurgen Van De Walle along with Italian Matteo Tosatto will form the core leadout for Quick-Step, but can also be a threat in the breaks along with Spanish all-arounder Carlos Barredo.
The big question for the Quick-Step Tour team is whether they will be allowed to bring their sprinter Tom Boonen. The Belgian has been excluded by Tour organizers for the second year in a row because of another out of competition positive test for cocaine.
If tomorrow’s decision is unfavorable for the Quick-Step team, they will substitute with Australian sprinter Allan Davis.
Riders:
Carlos Barredo (Esp), Sylvain Chavanel (Fra), Steven De Jongh (Hol), Stijn Devolder (Bel), Jerome Pineau (Fra), Sebastien Rosseler (Bel), Matteo Tosatto (Ita), Jurgen Van De Walle (Bel).
D.S.: Wilfried Peeters, Rik Van Slycke