Johan Vansummeren targets the Spring Classics for Garmin-Cervelo
Garmin-Cervelo's Johan Vansummeren has said his team has the potential to dominate the Spring Classics in 2011.
Vansummeren, who had a disappointing first season with Garmin-Transitions this year, with 21st place at Gent–Wevelgem as his best result, said his team had been strengthened after merging with the Cervelo TestTeam for 2011.
"I think we're going to be one of the strongest teams in the Spring Classics," the Belgian rider said to Norwegian website
procycling.no. "It is an honour to ride with the world champion on the team. I think we're going to see Garmin at the front of a lot of the classics in northern France and Belgium. I am confident that we will deliver."
Vansummeren, who finished fifth at the 2009 Paris–Roubaix after claiming eighth place in the same race the year before, will ride alongside several one-day specialists at Garmin-Cervelo in 2011.
American sprinter Tyler Farrar, who won this year's Grote Scheldeprijs and finished fifth at the Tour of Flanders, is among his team-mates, as is defending world champion Thor Hushovd of Norway.
Hushovd won the 2009 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and has been on the podium at the Paris–Roubaix during the last two seasons.
"It's basically the same teams every time," Vansummeren said when asked about Garmin-Cervelo's rivals at the Spring Classics. "Tom Boonen is still there, and Fabian Cancellara will be riding for another team. He won't lose his good legs,
so he is certainly to be reckoned with next season."
Boonen, who suffered a knee injury at this year's Tour of California after claiming fifth place at the Paris–Roubaix, is expected to return to full fitness for next spring.
Time-trial world champion Cancellara, who left Bjarne Riis' Saxo Bank outfit in September, is expected to join the Luxembourg PRO Cycling Project for 2011, but the deal has yet to be announced.
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