Leif Hoste keen to perform with the continental Team Accent jobs-Verandas Willems
Leif Hoste has joined the continental team, Accent jobs-Verandas Willems for the 2012 season. He had no other option but to join a different team as his name was dropped from the Katusha squad for the coming season.
His contract was supposed to extend another year but the new team manager, Hans-Michael decided to go without the classics and time-trial specialist following his poor performance in 2011.
The 34-year-old joined the Russian squad Katusha in 2011 and was expected to lead the team in the Classics. He was unfortunately caught in a crash at the Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde which brought an end to his 2011 season, early in April.
Hoste commented on the crash as sporza.be quoted him, “I had a tear in my brain, so I lost moisture. At one point the bike became incidental.” He went through severe headaches after the crash but has now fully recovered.
Leif is known for his world class abilities in Classics as he has many wins to his credit. He is a world class Time-trialist and his best performances so far include victories at the National Time Trial Championships in 2001-06 and 2007.
His contract was cancelled after a mutual understanding between both the parties which forced the Belgian to join the continental team for the 2012 season.
Hoste is positive that his inclusion in the side will help him and the Belgian squad, both. He said, “After our conversation, I immediately called my manager stating that I had found my new home. I feel 100 percent at ease here”.
It is believed that Hoste’s addition in the team will bring considerable experience to the continental squad.
He briefed about his 2012 goals with the team, "I hope I can live up to team leader status with my new team. I already have a very good eye. The spring races are my main aim and I will surely show myself”.
Leif won the Three Days of De Panne in 2006 and also dominated the Tour of Flanders on three occasions. Only time will tell if Hoste can prove himself again at the Classics and if he has fully recovered after the major crash during the stage one of Three
days of De Panne.
Tags: