Belgium leading in the Tour de France
Belgian riders have won the Tour de France 18 times, only half as many as France, but still the second-highest winning country in the Tour. The first edition of the Tour de France, in 1903 included 4 Belgians, compared to 49 Frenchmen of the total 60 participants. Belgium took the only podium spot not taken by France in the first five years, and took the first non-French victory in 1912 at the tenth Tour, and maintained a first-place streak for 7 years.
Belgium sends two teams to the 2010 Tour de France and Belgium-based Team Quick Step has lived up to its name and taken the first place in the team classification as of stage two.
Team Quick Step, led by Sylvain Chavanel. Current standing: One (as of Stage Two).
When Tom Boonen, the intended team leader, had to withdraw due to tendonitis in his knee, the team was put into jeopardy. "The first stage of the Tour is always difficult," Boonen said to Cycling News before the first stage. "Luckily, today, the weather is great and there is not going to be a lot of wind after all. But it'll be nervous, even if the roads that they take are going to wider than those that were used at the Giro."
The team already took two stage wins this year at the Giro d’Italia. Tom Boonen has previously won the points classification in the 2007 Tour de France after two stage wins. Team member Gert Steegmans took the final stage on the Champs-Élysées during the 2008 Tour. This year, however, Team Quick Step, has already achieved their most successful Tour performance to date, taking home the second stage victory win and the yellow, green, and polka dot jerseys.
“It was a terrific race,” said leader Chavanel to Cycling News. “To win on Belgian roads for a Belgian team and to have the honour tomorrow of riding into France wearing the yellow jersey is a dream come true for me. I still haven’t realized what I’ve accomplished.” Chavanal was the only survivor of the eight-man crash in the second stage.
“I’m thrilled,” said teammate Pineau. “Sylvain and I had a great race. If I captured the polka dot jersey Chavanel also gets some credit, since not only did he win the stage, he helped me on all the mountain grand prix. In the Giro d’Italia we won two stages, one of them I won and I worn the red jersey for a few days; here at the Tour de France history is repeating itself, actually, we’re doing even better and let’s hope it stays that way.”
Team Omega Pharma-Lotto, led by Jurgen Van Den Broeck. Current standing: 18 (as of Stage Two).
The second Belgian team in the 2010 Tour is managed by Belgians Marc Sergeant and Geert Coeman. A strong classics team, Team Omega Pharma-Lotto focuses primarily on the northern Spring classics, but CEO Marc Coucke has shifted focus in the 2010 season. After a disappointing performance at the 2009 Tour de France and the departure of team-leader and two-time Tour runner-up Cadel Evans to Team BMC Racing, Coucke named Belgian cyclist Jurgen Van Den Broeck as the new team leader.
In his first tour, Van Den Broeck placed 15th overall, and he plans to make a huge jump with the help of a dedicated team that will delivering him through the Alps in the first week. “I do not know where he stands in his preparation for the Tour, but if he can still improve a little, he will join the fight amongst the top riders," said two-time victor Alberto Contador.
So far this year the team has taken home the first place in the Amstel Gold Race and the sixth stage win in the Giro d’Italia.
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