[Tommeke23]

OPQS TOUR DE FRANCE PRESS CONFERENCE
THURSDAY 3 JULY 2014 - 19:05

Omega Pharma - Quick-Step PCCycling Team met with the media on Thursday for a press conference prior to the 101st edition of the Tour de France. The following text are comments made by OPQS riders Theo Bos, Michal Kwiatkowski, Bradley Wiggins and Lieuwe Westra.

Theo Bos

The whole grand depart has been phenomenal. When I came weeks ago to recon the course, the vibe that was around here was phenomenal. It was something I've never seen. The support from people, the people who do or don't know about bike racing, it's been absolutely tremendous. I don't think anyone can really anticipate how big it's going to be this weekend and I'm looking forward to savoring that. But, it's not a given that we will come away with a stage win or the yellow jersey. Things can always go right or wrong at the Tour de France. There's 200 riders on the start line almost, and every one of them would like to win the yellow jersey. It's a big honor. I'd like to win a stage, Omega Pharma – Quick- Step has a strong team, but the Tour de France is 21 days long and it doesn't finish after the third stage or we leave Belgium. We've got an incredibly strong Omega Pharma – Quick-Step team here and we'd like to do well across the three weeks.

On his 2014 training program leading up to the Tour

I feel in good condition for this Tour de France. A lot of guys who were at the Tour de Suisse got sick but hopefully I am over that. I've had four wins this year and the team is close to 30 already. We've been super successful all season, racing across the board, and put a strong team together for the Tour de France that will try and do well over these three weeks.

On his motivation and his competitors

I never won a stage at the Tour de France. It's the biggest bike race in the world and to come here with the successful teams I've been part of has been monumental to my career. Sure I'd like to win as much as possible, as much as I can. One win in a rider's career can be the highlight of their career, not just one win a year. Omega Pharma – Quick-Step came here last year and won one stage. We want to come here and do better than that. We want to be successful and win stages and the general classification. There are strong riders on other teams who also want to do well, but we're all really motivated to try and get good results.

Michal Kwiatkowski

On his objectives

Of course it would be nice to wear the white jersey during the race as I did last year. But honestly, I want to focus on continuing my growth as a rider at a grand tour. This is my second Tour de France. I came here to specifically help Bradley Wiggins and gain experience. That's my goal.

On the atmosphere

I'm really excited before the start. This is my second Tour de France, the biggest grand tour in the world. Starting for OPQS is something special. We were a successful team last year and hope we can be the same this year. We are all really motivated.

Bradley Wiggins

About the strength of OPQS at the Tour de France

In all the years we always had a really good team at the start. We always were successful. This year is the same, so I think the morale is high for being present in all the actions that are possible. We have worked well as a team all year and think we put together a good group for this grand tour.

On the time trial parcours

Honestly I didn't see it yet, I only saw the profile online. It looks quite nice. Hilly, but not too many mountains. It really can suit me.

Lieuwe Westra

On the hopes of the team in 2014 after a win in 2013

Of course I think we can try and have similar success as we did last year. Especially when there is wind, we like to do a lot of attacks. So, if there is opportunity we will try it. But you cannot always plan these chances. If you're in the races and you feel the wind will change direction and it will be good to try something, you have to attack it. It isn't always something you anticipate. If there is a chance you must be there and then go for it.


Read more at http://www.omegapharma-quickstep.com/en/news/show/opqs-tour-de-france-press-conference/1825#TF2Wvg52cvdffMrM.99




OPQS TO LE TOUR DE FRANCE
THURSDAY 3 JULY 2014 - 19:05

Omega Pharma - Quick-Step PCCycling Team has announced the selection that will participate in the 101st edition of the Tour de France, the second Grand Tour of 2014, which takes place from July 5th until July 27th. The selection is:
151 Bradley Marc Wiggins
152 Theo Bos
153 Kenny Elissonde
154 Michal Kwiatkowski
155 Mikel Landa Meana
156 Gert Steegmans
157 Jens Voigt
158 Lieuwe Westra
159 Maarten Wynants

Read more at http://www.omegapharma-quickstep.com/en/news/show/opqs-to-le-tour-de-france/1816#LVBcrKUrtOYkWD5h.99