Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team Trainer Tom Steels was highly visible during the derny race of the OPQS Championships on Tuesday evening. Steels, who practiced pace setting for the first time during OPQS winter training, led eventual winner Iljo Keisse in an exciting match-up against teammate Niki Terpstra.
Keisse affectionately called Steels the "new Jopie" — the nickname of renowned Dutch pace setter Joop Zijlaard — when the two were interviewed together after Keisse's event victory. Keisse said last night that Steels helped set the pace for a perfect race, especially the last 10 laps.
"I was nervous for my first race," Steels said after he guided Keisse on the track. "But I won't make a job out of it."
