 | TEAM FACTFILE Country: Italy Manager: Patrick Lefevere Best Tour: Six stage wins in 1998 |
Every year Quick Step get more and more competitive and 2005 looks to be no different, judging by their form. Tom Boonen has been prolific in the sprints, winning Paris-Roubaix, three Paris-Nice stages and the Tour of Flanders among other things.
And then there is the unrestrainable Paolo Bettini, last year's World Cup winner, who won the points jersey at this year's Giro d'Italia.
But there is no Richard Virenque, who quit cycling at the end of last season.
Virenque's exit could change the focus of the team who will be looking to push Boonen forward in the green jersey competition.
When it comes to the general classification, Michael Rogers, who was 22nd overall and fourth in the young rider competition in the 2004 Tour, looks the best bet.
Many have marked out the Australian as a future Tour winner. At just 25, time is on his side.
But there is also Juan Miguel Mercado who must have been a tad disappointed with 37th a year ago.
MMIX
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