Quick Step rivalry

Kléber

I haven't seen this reported much, so you might find it interesting...

Boonen and Devolder are barely on speaking terms. Apparently in last Sunday's Ronde, when Devolder was up the road, Boonen spoke to Pozzato and tried to get an agreement for the duo to work together to pull back Devolder. The Italian said no, "I didn't want to take him in an armchair" but clearly Boonen preferred to take his chances against Pozatto than let Devolder stay away again.

scwxx77

Just Pozzato trying to get into the head of Boonen. Boonen has denied it happened.

sicrow

I think it was a case of Devolder for de Ronde as he had good legs & could get away like last year - it would have suited Quick Step as well that way especially as Pozzato was all over Boonen. At Roubaix Quick Step will work to isolate Pozzato to try to get TB away - (sounds like a plan anyway) we'll see if it happens

iainf72

Boonen looked sort of happy at the end of the race.

I was struck watching it that Pozzato pedals like an Italian playboy while Devolder pedals like a Flemish peasant.

afx237vi

So where does Chavanel fit into all of this? If anyone has a case for being annoyed, it's him. He's in the form of his life, has been very strong in all of the cobbled classics, yet when does he ever get a chance of his own?

Rode his heart out in order for Boonen to win KBK, and he was in the race-winning break on Sunday only for his own team-mate to chase him down!

But then again I guess he knew the score when he signed for QS. If you can explain why he did sign for QS in the first place, I'd like to hear it...

micron

Maybe he'll get his chance in the Ardennes?

He was really disappointed after RvV and he's not going to be at Roubaix just to make up the numbers - I'd love to see him take advantage of the man to man marking and go off on one.

moray_gub

afx237vi wrote:

. If you can explain why he did sign for QS in the first place, I'd like to hear it...

Dough !

teagar

Lefevre is very very good at keeping everybody happy. Look at Mapei in '96. I'm sure Chavanel will get his chance/payday on the road.

He was the team leader in Paris Nice remember!

Also Boonen claims he never said anything to Pozzato, who he claims is just playing mind games.

http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza.be/wielr ... 408_boonen

Monty Dog

Flanders and Roubaix aren't really parcours that suit Chavanel, whereas the likes of Amstel Gold, Fleche Wallone and Liege-Bastogne-Liege are. Lefevre has been highly complimentary of Chavanel since the outset and has plenty of experience of controlling strong personalities in his teams - Boonen and Bettini for example

SpaceJunk

Sunday's race will be very interesting.

Devolder has stated that he wants to do the 'double', but I don't think Tommeke will be all too happy if this eventuates.

On paper (at least), the competition doesn't look as strong as in previous years (that said, the way Columbia are going, George will probably win) and Boonen looks like it is his race to loose.

The biggest threat could come from his own team. Can't wait to see how this plays out.

winoneday

I doubt Boonen was too unhappy, obviously he would have preferred to win but as has been mentioned he looked quite pleased at the end. The fact that Pozzato's race was ruined by him waiting around probably helped. All the interviews he has done this year portray him as a bit more grown up than in the past. I have a feeling that he was quite happy to let Devolder get Flanders as long as he can have the whole team at Roubaix.

With regards to Chavanel he will cause major headaches for the favourites at Ardennes classics.

A good years racing so far and looking better all the time.

teagar

I certainly think Devolder will play a similar role to the one he played last year in Roubaix.

I'm not so sure about Chavanel in the Ardenne's though. He can't hold this form forever.

mididoctors

I predict Devolder will try and do Chavanels task of getting in the early break thus ruling himself out and placing the other teams under pressure