Jerome Pineau and Sylvain Chavanel Stick Together on the Tour
The second stage of this year’s Tour de France belonged to Sylvain Chavanel. He not only won the stage, but was awarded three jerseys for his performance; the yellow jersey for overall leadership, the green jersey for points classification, and the combativity award. The French cyclist riding for Belgian based team Quick Step previously won the overall combativity award in the 2008 Tour, when he won the 19th Stage, but this was his first time in the yellow jersey.
“I made a mark next to this stage in my mind a long time, and I succeeded,” said Chavanel. “This proves that cycling’s wheel does indeed turn! Now I have almost three minutes ahead overall! So I think I can go far.”
When Chavanel was the victor in Stage 7, and again took the yellow jersey from Fabian Cancellara, who had taken it from him and worn it for four stages, he proved he was a major contender in the Tour de France, and speculation grew in the market place. Rumours surfaced that he would be moving to a French team for the 2011 season. But on Wednesday, the second rest day of the Tour, which is dominated by agents and contract negotiations, it was announced that Chavanel had signed on for another year with Quick Step, as has his loyal friend Jérôme Pineau.
“I’m really happy I’ll be staying with this team,” said Chavanel. “Here I feel like I’m surrounded by people who have faith in me. Tranquility and serenity are essential to reaching important targets like the two prestigious victories in the Tour. The fact that Jerome stays with me is just one more reason to celebrate.”
While Chavanel fought for the yellow jersey in the first third of the race, Pineau made his name as his fellow Frenchman’s support. Chavanel never would have had the success he did if Pineau hadn’t expertly taken him over the hills and set him up for the sprints. But when the sprint stages were over and the Tour moved into the real mountains, the tables turned.
“The fact that I renewed together with Sylvain is a dream come true,” said Pineau. “Day by day our friendship is growing and our mutual understanding during the race is growing. I’m sure that together we’ll be able to achieve some great accomplishments for ourselves, for the team and our sponsors.”
Pineau has worn the polka-dot jersey for 9 of the 16 days, before Anthony Charteau took it in Stage 12. The 30 year old cyclist is having the best season of his life after his first Grand Tour stage win in the Giro d’Italia and his central position in the "King of the Mountains" competition in both Tours. Chavanel has supported his quest for the polka-dot jersey just as much as he supported the stage wins, which was a big part of the decision to stay with Quick Step.
“Jerome is enduring a crucial moment in his career,” said team manager Patrick Lefevere. “The choice of putting him in the line up for the Giro d’Italia was a winning one. With his success at Novi Ligure Jerome’s attitude changed completely. Now he’s much more confident in his abilities and focused on his goals. His approach to the Tour is proof of this. Sylvain and Jerome are perfectly in synch. We will build the team’s future on their shoulders.”
Both riders signed the 12-month contract extension on July 21st in Pau, to Lefevere’s great satisfaction. The manager credits the pair for saving the team’s Tour after Tom Boonen was unable to perform.
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