Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team announced the team roster for the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, the two races that traditionally open the cycling season in Belgium, today. "It will be an important weekend for our team, as always," said Wilfried Peeters who will guide the riders from the team car. "The good state of form of many athletes in our team allowed us to make some technical choices based on the different routes we will be riding on. On Saturday, we will have cyclists that are more comfortable with cobblestone slopes, while on Sunday we will have more sprinters, seen as there may well be a sprint to end the race. Boonen, Ciolek, Steegmans and Velits will compete in both races. There may also be changes in Sunday's team, based on Saturday's results. Terpstra won't take part to the Omloop. Niki came back sick from Algarve, with fever. He's doing better now but we don't want to risk, considering the low amount of training he has been able to go through in the past few days. Normally he will be able to take the start in Kuurne - Brussels - Kuurne."
On Sunday, part of the team will also be taking part to the Boucles du Sud-Ardèche in France.
"After the Trofeo Laigueglia, we stopped in the south of France with the team and organized a brief stage while waiting to compete on Sunday," Sport Director Davide Bramati said. "The team is motivated and training sessions are progressing according to our program that alternates road bicycle sessions to time-trial bicycle sessions. Our objective is to be amongst the protagonists of the race."
Boucles du Sud-Ardèche will be Iljo Keisse's first race for 2012.
You can find the roster for Omloop Het Nieuwsblad by clicking the "more information" button below. You can also see the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne roster here.