It's official: Davitamon-Lotto's Peter van Petegem will ride for rival team Quick.Step as of next season. Team manager Patrik Lefévère confirmed the deal on Saturday. "Peter doesn't win a lot of races anymore, but he is a very experienced rider who can be very important to our leader Tom Boonen at races like the Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix," Lefévère said. "Boonen was isolated in the finale of Paris-Roubaix this year - with Van Petegem, this won't happen again."
Quick.Step, who also signed Gert Steegmans to lead out the sprints for the world champion, is looking forward to completing its 2007 roster soon. "There will be more signings," added Lefévère, who also managed to attract Italians Andrea Tonti (Acqua & Sapone) and Mauro Facci (Barloworld). "To strengthen the squad on the climbs."
