Vierhouten reflects on Van Petegem

By Brecht Decaluwé in Heist

After yesterday's announcement from Spring Classics specialist Peter van Petegem that he would retire within two weeks Cyclingnews talked with a contemporary and former team-mate of the Belgian. "We had good times together at TVM," mused Aart Vierhouten, who now rides against Van Petegem's Quick-Step squad for the Skil-Shimano team. "Yesterday during the stage we were already talking about his decision before the news was known."

The Dutchman enjoyed a couple of successful years with Van Petegem in the team and he didn't mind working for the Belgian. "Peter is not a star who thinks what we do is obvious. He only asked us to work as much as we could and he showed a lot of appreciation for that," Vierhouten said of his friend Van Petegem.

Currently Vierhouten is the lead-out man for Kenny Van Hummel in the Eneco-Tour and he enjoys that role. "Kenny has the top speed so if he is delivered well then he can get the results. I think he should build up his muscles to become better than he is now," Vierhouten talked about the Dutch Skil-Shimano team's sprinter. "Leading him out is my job and I don't mind doing that as long as he stays in my wheel - which he does - I'm not riding in the wind for someone else," Vierhouten said.

After yesterday's stage Mark Cavendish explained that he didn't feel that Van Hummel could've beaten him saying he maybe would've been at 1 instead of 5 bike lengths. Van Hummel reacted before the start of stage 3 when he talked to the press. "Today I hope to claim my redress for what happened yesterday," Van Hummel talked about the sprint where Wouter Weylandt moved into his path on the right side of the road. When referred to the Cavendish reaction Van Hummel made clear that Cavendish should watch his words.