Whether Gert Steegmans proves to be a successful signing for the Classics remains to be seen but the Belgian’s controversial move from QuickStep to Trek Factory Racing could be one of the most interesting sub-plots of this year’s campaign.
Steegmans fell out with QuickStep during last year’s national championships when his trade team decided to chase down a late move he was involved with in order to set up a sprint for Tom Boonen. The tactic spectacularly back-fired as Boonen missed out and Steegmans angrily lamented his team’s decision afterwards.
The Belgian press have been pursuing Steegmans ever since, hoping he would lift the lid on what happened on that day, but tensions were already simmering before nationals given that the 34-year-old had been dropped for the Spring Classics in April and also missed out on the Tour de France.
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“I had some good moments and I’ll keep those good moments and memories,” was Steegmans’s offering at the Tour of Qatar on Thursday when Cyclingnews asked him to sum up his time at Patrick Lefevere’s team. The Belgian, incidentally, was a non-starter on the final day in Qatar on Friday.
Steegmans isn’t the other rider looking to stay clear of the topic. Fabian Cancellara, who will benefit from the signing, waxed lyrical over his new teammate’s talent at a small gathering at the press in Qatar, but sidestepped the back story on why Steegmans was shut out and allowed to leave.
“That’s another story that I don’t want to go into, especially the Belgian press will love to hear more,” Cancellara said, half-jokingly.
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
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