The two former Deceuninck – Quick-Step riders were honoured in Brussels, on Saturday afternoon, for their remarkable achievements.
Most successful cobbled Classics rider in history and one of the most accomplished riders of all time, Tom Boonen is as of today a member of the Wolfpack Hall of Fame, where he was inducted in recognition for his astonishing career, which saw him win over 100 pro races in the unmistakable colours of Deceuninck – Quick-Step.
Between 2003 and 2017, “Tornado Tom” became World Champion, triumphed three times at the Ronde van Vlaanderen and scored four memorable wins at Paris-Roubaix, to which he added a plethora of other one-day races, several Grand Tour stages and the prestigious Tour de France green jersey.
“I’m really happy to be here on the day the Tour de France starts from my country. I have great memories from Le Tour, where I took some nice stage wins and the points jersey together with this team. The Wolfpack spirit was already part of the squad since back then and I owe many of my wins to it, that’s why being one of the first to get this beautiful trophy makes me very proud”, Tom Boonen said at the team’s VIP Hospitality area in Brussels.
The most Flemish of all the foreign riders to have sported the jersey of Deceuninck – Quick-Step, Sylvain Chavanel joined Tom Boonen in the Wolfpack Hall of Fame, just as he did on the road in many of the races the two of them wrote history. A member of the Wolfpack between 2009 and 2013, Chavanel rode to 13 wins, the most famous of which came at the 2010 Tour de France, when he took two superb stage victories (Spa and Station des Rousses) and enjoyed some unforgettable days in yellow before capping it off with the Super Combativity award in Paris.
“It’s a huge honour to be here. When Patrick called to let me know that he wants me to be part of this team, it was something great. I spent five beautiful years with Deceuninck – Quick-Step, won at the Tour de France and brought my contribution to the team’s success, and now, seeing how everyone considers me the most Flemish of the non-Flemish riders, gives me great pride. I want to thank the sponsors and fans who came here today. I’m not a material guy, but this is an award I will always cherish and which will have a special place in my living room”, an emotional Chavanel said.
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