Team looking to be competitive from the Classics to the Grand Tours
Life as a Professional Continental team from the Netherlands hasn’t been particularly fruitful in 2010. Both Skil-Shimano and Vacansoleil have missed out on critical wild card invites throughout the season, none more painful than the three Grand Tours.
In 2011, Vacansoleil at least, is looking to make sure that doesn’t happen again. Team manager Hilaire Van der Schueren says that the team is ready to make the jump to the sport’s highest level in 2011: “Negotiations with a new sponsor have been fruitful. We will send in our application for the ProTour in August.”
With the signings of both Stijn Devolder and Thomas De Gendt, the team has bolstered its strength in the Spring Classics, but there is still a gaping hole in their overall possibilities. Devolder has shown sparks of potential, as has Brice Feillu, but a solid hope for the GC has been heretofore absent.
Van der Schueren hopes to rectify that: “Right now, we’re working on a rider for the General Classification. I have strong hopes that we can get someone in the top 10 at the Tour de France.”
Recent rumors have placed Denis Menchov in talks with Vacansoleil, but Van der Schueren flatly denies the possibility: “Denis Menchov? No, I do not speak Russian.”
The addition of a solid overall prospect would further strengthen an already formidable foundation and help the team achieve the goal stated by Van der Schueren to Sportdome.nl: “In 2011, we want to be competitive from the Tour of Flanders to the Tour. “In 2011, we want to be competitive from the Tour of Flanders to the Tour.”