Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team is prepared to compete in the most prestigious sporting event in the world.
Tom Boonen (Belgium), Sylvain Chavanel (France), Michal Golas (Poland), Bert Grabsch (Germany), Michal Kwiatkowski (Poland), Tony Martin (Germany), Niki Terpstra (Nederlands), and Stijn Vandenbergh (Belgium) will compete in the road race competition on July 28. Matteo Trentin will be in London as a reserve for the Italian Olympic Road Race team.
Chavanel, Grabsch and Martin will compete in the time trial event on August 1.
Boonen, one of the favorites, could possibly add a very important victory to his palmares if he were to win the road race. If any OPQS rider were to earn a medal, it would be a crucial accomplishment in their career and a proud moment for their country.
Martin, World Time Trial Champion, has set the Olympic podium as one of his biggest goals of the season. He was forced to abandon during the first rest day of the Tour de France in order to give himself full recovery from a fractured left scaphoid suffered earlier in the grand tour. He has dedicated his time to training, recovering, and planning for the chance to win a medal on August 1st. Chavanel, four-time French National Champion, showed his strength with several impressive performances during the Tour. He is ready to represent his country and aspires for a medal amongst the best time trialists in the world.
Riders from OPQS are not the only ones attending the Olympic Games.
Mechanic Kenny Latomme and soigneur Marc Patry will be representing the team as Belgian staff for the Olympics. Sport Director Jan Schaffrath, doctor Helge Riepenhof, soigneur Achim Schmiedel, and mechanic Guido Scheeren will also be at the Olympics with the German team.
The Olympic Road Race will be on July 28, beginning at 10 a.m. BST. The Olympic Time Trial takes place on 14:15 BST.