Pineau to Quick Step

Jérôme Pineau will switch from Bouygues Telecom to Quick Step. Pineau signed a two-year contract with the team run by Patrick Lefévère. Pineau signed the deal a couple of days ahead of arriving at the Champs-Elysées. He admitted on his web blog, http://jpineau.blogs.velomagazine.fr/, that having a compatriot at his side made the decision easier. "It is true that not being the only French rider on the team is a big relief." Pineau will join Sylvain Chavanel, who also just signed a contract with the Belgian squad.

Like Chavanel, Pineau thinks the team's focus should help his style. "The essential reason that pushed me to sign with Quick Step is that it has transformed to a team that is almost exclusively doing racing that I really enjoy – the Classics. The three races in the Ardennes [Amstel, Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège -ed.] make me dream. I hope to soak up the culture to win these races."

Pineau is expecting a lot from the move. "It's a new adventure and it is this year or never." Pineau explained the difficulty of getting contracts these days. "When Patrick Lefévère showed interest in me, I jumped at the opportunity."

Pineau emphasised the fact that nothing was wrong with his current team. "I am 28 years old, I had a great time with all the members at my team and with the staff. It is not a divorce. Rather, it is a good-bye." General Manager Jean-René Berneaudeau was sad and disappointed when hearing the news. "He understood my intention to go to where I needed to my abilities would fit in, even though for him I am like a child that leaves the house, the family."

Pineau really wants to thank the team for all it had done for him. "I would like to raise my hands in victory before I leave. That would be the nicest present I could give them."