The seven-time Six Days of Gent winner will continue his adventure with the Wolfpack in 2022.
Iljo Keisse has signed for another year with Deceuninck – Quick-Step, a deal which will see him ride for a 13th consecutive season in the colours of the most successful team in the world. Being 38 years old and one of the most experienced guys in the bunch, Keisse showed his strength on countless occasions, as was the case at the latest Giro d’Italia, but also produced some truly indelible moments over the years, like his Tour of Turkey stage victory in Izmir or the win he got in Milan, where he held off an entire bunch on the last day of the 2015 Corsa Rosa.
“Next year in December I’ll turn 40, and that’s also the date I have in mind to stop racing. I’m just super happy with the confidence shown and that I didn’t need to search for another team for my last season as a pro. Becoming older you naturally lose some things, but there are other things you get better at, experience being one of them.”
“My primary focus is now my role as road captain and giving the younger guys guidance. One of the main strengths of this squad is definitely the staff, the team behind the riders. Both the staff and the riders are just one big family and I’m super proud to be part of it and to have been here for so many years already”, a delighted Iljo said.
Deceuninck – Quick-Step CEO Patrick Lefevere doesn’t have any doubts Keisse will continue to show his class and bring his contribution to the team’s successes in 2022: “I’m really happy to have Iljo with us for another year, he’s our most experienced rider and someone from whom the young guys on the squad have a lot of things to learn. Iljo always goes full gas in his role, which he executes perfectly, and gives absolutely everything. He has such a big engine and always knows exactly what to do in each situation, so having him aboard for one more season is a big advantage.”
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
