Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team names rosters for Oman and Algarve

Omega Pharma – Quick-Step will be busy this week in two highly prestigious races: the Tour of Oman (14th-19th) and the Vuelta ao Algarve (15th-19th).

“After our lucky transfer in Qatar we’re going to try to do well in Oman, too,” said Sports Director Wilfried Peeters. “As for the arrivals adapted to sprinters, we’re going to call on Steegmans. Gert was a fundamental pillar for Boonen’s victory in Qatar; now it will be his turn to try and win a stage. For the general classification we can count on Sylvain Chavanel, who was already a major player in Argentina and on Peter Velits, although he hasn’t raced as much as Sylvain. After the success in Qatar it would be exceptional to grab at least one stage success in nearby Oman.”

From the 15th to the 19th, the Portuguese roads of the Algarve will host the 38th edition of the Volta ao Algarve. At the starting line the team will be lining up reigning champion Tony Martin.

“The Algarve will be Tony Martin’s first stage race in 2012,” said Sports Director Rik Van Slycke. “It will be important to understand to which point Tony is ready for the next races. The race features an uphill arrival that shouldn’t make a difference for the men who are jostling for the general classification and a 25,8 km time trial on the last day on a flat circuit that will favour a time trial man with Martin’s skills. On the team we can also count on the young Kwiatkowski and on Ciolek, who is pedalling well and who still has some more room to grow. The team is motivated and ready to take to battle on the road.”

Tour of Oman:

Riders: Tom Boonen (BEL), Sylvain Chavanel (FRA), Bert Grabsch (GER), Frantisek Rabon (CZE), Gert Steegmans (BEL), Guillaume Van Keirsbulck (BEL), Stijn Vandenbergh (BEL), Peter Velits (SVK)

Sports Director: Wilfried Peeters (BEL)

Stages:

14.02.12 Stage 1 Al Alam Palace – Wadi Al Huwqayn 159.0 km

15.02.12 Stage 2 Sur – Wadi Dayqah Dam 140.5 km

16.02.12 Stage 3 Al Awabi (Al Alya) – Bank Muscat HQ 144.5 km

17.02.12 Stage 4 Bidbid (Nafa’a) – Al Wadi Al Kabir 142.5 km

18.02.12 Stage 5 Royal Opera House – Jabal Al Akhdhar (Green Mountain) 158.0 km

19.02.12 Stage 6 Al Khawd – Matrah Corniche 130.5 km

Volta ao Algarve:

Riders: Gerald Ciolek (GER), Dries Devenyns (BEL), Michal Kwiatkowski (POL), Nikolas Maes (BEL), Tony Martin (GER), Niki Terpstra (NED), Matteo Trentin (ITA), Martin Velits (SVK)

Sports Director: Jan Schaffrath (GER), Rik van Slycke (BEL)

Stages:

15.02.12 Stage 1 Dunas Douradas (Almancil) – Albufeira 151.0 km (ITT)

16.02.12 Stage 2 Faro – Lagoa 187.5 km

17.02.12 Stage 3 Castro Marim – Malhão 194.6 km

18.02.12 Stage 4 Vilamoura – Tavira 186.3 km

19.02.12 Stage 5 Lagoa – Portimão 25.8 km (ITT)