January 06, 2012 – The Omega Pharma®-Quick-Step® Cycling Team has long been a Classics powerhouse with one of the most formidable palmares in cycling. Their roster includes eventual legends Tom Boonen (BEL), Sylvain Chavanel (FRA), and Zdenek Stybar (CZE), and has most recently added the strength of World Time Trial Champion Tony Martin (GER) and Grand Tour performer Levi Leipheimer (USA). Their goal is simple, to return to the top of the WorldTour rankings and they will launch their attacks aboard SRAM-equipped Specialized bikes.

SRAM & Quarq to Drive the Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Train
In 2012, the Belgian super-squad will mark its return on SRAM RED. SRAM RED componentry has been ridden to wins at every major race, including the past two versions of Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders, annual targets for SRAM’s new Belgian super-squad. The perfor-mance advantage of SRAM RED has been well documented, and RED remains the definitively accurate lightweight leader that delivers confidence inspiring effciency, and proven durability.

“We are excited to have been given the opportunity to equip one of the legendary programs in cycling and work closely with Team Manager Patrick Lefevere. The team’s DNA is about winning, and with the combination of leadership, riders, and bike technology (Specialized), you have a program that will be a constant threat to win the world’s most challenging races.” – Alex Wassmann, SRAM’s Global Sponsorship Manager.

Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Key Riders:
• Tom Boonen (BEL)
• Sylvain Chavanel (FRA)
• Tony Martin (GER)
• Levi Leipheimer (USA)
• Zdenek Stybar (CZE)
• Gerald Ciolek (GER)
• Martin Velits (SVK)
• Peter Velits (SVK)
• Jerome Pineau (FRA)

 

Quarq Returns to the Pro Peloton

The fresh start at Omega Pharma – Quick-Step will not be limited to the bike and its core components. 2012 will see the team fully equipped with SRAM’s Quarq power meters for performance management. The Quarq CinQo Saturn2 spider will be paired with Specialized S-Works crank arms to complete the drivetrain package.

Pre-season testing by Omega Pharma – Quick-Step confirmed the accuracy of the Quarq power meter. Lightweight, compatibility and best-in-class support made it the clear choice.  The reliability of Quarq power meters has been proven in a tough season of cyclocross. They can be counted on for data acquisition at the Cobbled Classics and three week Grand Tours.

Omega Pharma–Quick-Step Cycling Team to Racing with Specialized Bikes, Helmets
All members of the new Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team are racing with Specialized bikes and helmets this year.

This isn’t the first time Specialized Founder and President Mike Sinyard and Quick-Step Manager Patrick Lefevere have partnered; the two joined forces for the 2007-09 seasons, with great results.

“During the three years that we worked with Patrick and his team the first time around, we won an amazing number of the world’s toughest races,” Sinyard said. “We won the 2007 World Road Race Championships, back-to-back Roubaix/Flanders victories and a Green Jersey at the Tour de France.”

“It’s true, no other team matched our achievements when we were together the first time,” Lefevere said. “And Specialized was a major part of those results by developing bikes and equipment that gave the riders a real edge. This level of excellence and team approach to creating what the riders need is why we are partnering again, for even better results.”

With the arrival of Omega Pharma, the top-level management team of Lefevere, Zdenek Bakala and Bessel Kok have assembled an amazing roster. Three-time Paris-Roubaix winner Boonen will anchor the squad’s classics team, with the French national champion Chavanel a proven performer in both big one-day and stage races alike. Current Cyclocross World Champion Zdenek Stybar is certainly one to watch — on and off the road. And Time Trial World Champion, Tony Martin, brings a new level of firepower to the squad, while Leipheimer adds his deep experience and stage-race palmarès.

Leipheimer said the Specialized partnership is like a homecoming for him. While on Gerolsteiner in 2005-06, Leipheimer rode early versions of the Specialized Tarmac SL to victory at the Tour of Germany and the Dauphiné Libéré. “I have really good memories about Specialized, and I’m super excited to go back and see all the changes,” he said. “The bikes get stronger, lighter and faster every year, it’s incredible.”

Boonen feels similarly about coming back to Specialized. “I’m very excited to be back,” said the former World Road Champion. “I know from experience, that the last Tarmac I had was the best bike I ever had. And the difference between the first-generation Tarmac that I rode and the bikes we have now is just huge. I’m very happy.”

The Omega Pharma – Quick-Step riders have a deep range of advanced bicycles and gear from Specialized’s elite S-Works division. Nothing is lighter and stiffer than the Tarmac SL4, which will be the team’s workhorse bike. The Venge, fresh off its Milan-San Remo, Green Jersey and World Championship victories in 2011, will be the perfect choice for riders looking to minimize drag. Because smoother is faster, Boonen and company will opt for the S-Works Roubaix SL3 on the cobblestones. The Shiv TT will provide the fastest ride possible in every “race of truth.” The S-Works Prevail helmet will be used in road races while TT helmets will provide aero advantage and protection in time trials.

Read more HERE.

Interview with Sylvain Chavanel