Tom Boonen and Stijn Vandenbergh, two riders of Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team, have been selected by Belgium to participate in the 2012 Olympic Road Race.
"It's a great team, able to compete in every kind of scenario during the race" says Boonen, who tomorrow will take the start of Tour de Pologne. "We are competitive in case of a bunch sprint, but also in a breakaway. I'm happy that even Vandenbergh has been selected. Stijn is a guy who knows how to work hard, and he will be useful for the National team as he is during the season with OPQS."
Michal Golas, Boonen and Niki Terpstra will ride for the first time wearing their brand new national champion jerseys in Poland. Three national champion jerseys — including Golas, the Polish National Champion, at Tour de Pologne — is a great achievement.
"I am in the Tour of Pologne to improve my condition prior to the Olympics, but it's such an an important race I would also like to try something here in this race," Boonen said. "It's important for me to try one or two sprints, if possible, just to stay in the rhythm of the sprints and see how is the situation before the Olympics and how I am feeling."
