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Quick Step Wins Wins Wins

posted by id* at 05:55 PM on September 05, 2008

Quick Step has had a tremendous start to the last third of the season. With the team racing at the Vuelta a Espagna, in Germany and in Belgium they have had wins all week long.

Tom Boonen take’s his first career Vuelta win.

The Belgian flag returns to the highest step on the podium in the Vuelta since Vandenbroucke’s 1999 victory

1^st September 2008 - Tom Boonen has won for the first time in his career a stage in the Vuelta. Tornado Tom was the faster today in the third stage of the Vuelta España, from Jaen to Cordoba (168,6 km), carrying the Belgian flag to the highest step on the podium for the first time since Frank Vandenbroucke’s 1999 victory in Avila.

The Belgian champion from team QUICK STEP, who already won in Cordoba in the 2007 Ruta del Sol ahead, today beat the Italian rider from team Liquigas, Daniele Bennati and Erik Zabel, Team Milram, that finished in third position.

“Today was incredibly hot - explained Boonen - It was by no means an easy stage. I already partly knew the route, which has been the scene of some beautiful stages in the Ruta del Sol and la Vuelta. At the top of the climb I hit the downhill with the first group and from then I thought only about preparing the final sprint with the help of my team mates. I chose Bennati’s wheel. Daniele is in great shape and I knew he would be the man to beat. Everything went perfectly. When Bennati started the sprint I stayed covered as much as possible, choosing the right moment to make my move.”

Boonen then reflected on the shape he’s in.

“As I’ve said already this year I’m facing the Vuelta in good shape – continues Boonen at his 14^th victory of the season - Usually this race represented the beginning of the end of the season for me. I always ended the Tour de France tired because of the battle for the green jersey. This year instead I’m fresh and the team is racing without much stress. This is another of our strong points.”

Stijn Devolder wins in Meulebeke

30^th August 2008 – Stijn Devolder has won today the Meulebeke-Achterderny beating Frederick Willems (Team Liquigas) and Leif Hoste (Silence Lotto).

"This is a good way to celebrate the extension of my contract - explained Devolder after the finish line – Of course, it’s not the Ronde Van Vlaanderen but for me it’s important because Meulebeke is not far from Tielt where Latexco headquarter are. Latexco it’s our second sponsor with Innergetic brand and is also sponsor of this race. I want to dedicate this victory to Luc Maes, owner of Latexco. It’s a little signal but I’m sure he will appreciate it.”

Gert Steegmans wins the Memorial Rik Van Steenbergen Aartselaar

September 3rd, 2008 – Today, Wednesday September 3rd, Gert Steegmans won the Memorial Rik Van Steenbergen Aartselaar on the roads of Belgium. In the final sprint the strong Belgian rider from Team QUICK STEP beat the Dutchman Stefan Van Dijk (Mitsubishi-Jartazi) and the Belgian Champion Jurgen Roelandts (Silence-Lotto). With this victory Steegmans follows his fellow countryman Greg Van Avermaet, winner of the 2007 edition of this race, in to racing’s golden circle.

“I’ve got to thank all the team” - says Steegmans - ”Today they were working for me from the beginning of the race. In the final phase De Jongh and Davis were phenomenal, launching me in the best possible way, allowing me to get up on Roelandts’ tire and then pass him at the finish line.”

Also worth noting was a good test by the 28- year –old Australian Allan Davis, who made his debut today, wearing the QUICK STEP jersey. The Australian rider will also compete in the Vattenfall Cyclassics – Hamburg, scheduled for Sunday September 7th, and then the Tour of Poland from the 14th to the 20th of September.

Paolo Bettini wins the 6^th stage of the Vuelta España to Toledo

September 4^th, 2008 – Today Paolo Bettini won the 6^th stage of the Vuelta España from Ciudad Real to Toledo of 150.1 km (45.150km/h), beating the Belgian Philippe Gilbert (Francaise des Jeux) and Spaniard Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d’Epargne) in an enrapturing finale.

The World Champion is back with a bang on the Spanish roads, with this his fourth victory on the roads of the Vuelta España since 2005.

“Winning in a beautiful city like Toledo is something special. I’ll count this as one of my greatest victories. It was not an easy finish line, but I’ve had this date marked on my calendar since the starting in Granada. I also wish I’d done better in Jaén, but as usual it takes me a couple of days to find my rhythm on the pedals after a period without competitions”.

Bettini then spoke about the race.

“The sporting director had explained the final part of the race very well. The team did a great job sacrificing for me and keeping the group in single file during the last uphill tract. I saw Gilbert take off in the last meters and I knew it was time to make my move. I gave it my all; I knew I had to position myself in second place at the 200m curve”.

With Bettini, talk of the World Championship is inevitable.

“Spanish roads are lucky for me. I’ve always found ideal conditions here. Now I want to work in peace as I look forward to the World Championship. My adversaries? As always, the usual guys. I’m also looking out for Gilbert. As far as teams go, clearly Spain is our closest rival.”

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