Iljo Keisse, who has been with OPQS for five years, has extended his contract with OPQS for two years: 2015 and 2016. Keisse has 54 victories in his track and road racing career, but he is perhaps most known in the road cycling world for his awe inspiring solo victory at the 2012 Tour of Turkey Stage 7. He held off a chasing field despite a mechanical in the final meters.
"When I started with this team, we had just begun to build up our strength year-by-year," Keisse said. "I think that I also did my part in this and I evolved as a rider. At this moment we are good in every race and every situation. So, to me, as a Belgian guy, this feels special and normal to be a part of a Belgian based team who can now compete everywhere. I don't win races by myself, but to me it means just as much to contribute to the victories of my teammates. If your team appreciates your job and your boss offers you a new contract based on your hard work, it is a great feeling. It means that my job was impressive and they know my value on a team like OPQS. It's a special feeling and I hope this gives me wings for the future. Also, the environment of the team is something I enjoy and this motivates me to ride my bike more and more each year."
"Iljo arrived in the team a few years ago in a difficult moment of his professional career," OPQS CEO Patrick Lefevere said. "He has shown more and more that he is a guy you can trust, who also can build the trust of his teammates with each other. He is a complete rider that puts himself at the service of others without hesitation. In this team we need a guy like Iljo who is smart, and always aware of the race situation. He can become a special part of the team in the next two years."
