Nov. 21 2017: The Quick-Step Floors team has just confirmed the names of its 27 riders for 2018. Team leaders will be Fernando Gaviria, Julian Alaphilippe, Philippe Gilbert and Bob Jungels.
Some of the most noticeable new signings include Elia Viviani, a sprinter who will replace Katusha-Alprcin man Marcel Kittel and also David de la Cruz who comes from Team Sky.
Other members include: Matteo Trentin from Orica-Scott, Julien Vermote from Dimension Data, Dan Martin from UAE Team Emirates, Gianluca Brambilla from Trek-Segafredo and Jack Bauer from Orica-Scott.
We are happy to give you our team for 2018, Quick-Step Floors’ 16th season: https://t.co/YqnSv40JmH Photo: @TDWsport pic.twitter.com/OMzDNg6h5T
— Quick-Step Cycling (@quickstepteam) November 21, 2017
Patrick Lefevere, Quick-Step Floors’ manager, admitted to have worked really hard to find new sponsors. They are essential for helping the team pick up these new bits.
Next year, just like every other pro team, Quick-Step Floors will have to operate with only 27 riders after UCI decided to reduce team sizes in every Gran Tour, one-day race events and also stage races.
Looking forward to the next season
“We have many new riders, some of them very young. But we look with the same confidence and excitement to the new season which looms just around the corner,” Lefevere said soon after confirming the new names.
“Last season was a spectacular one and next year we’ll try to be again in the mix. Be it Classics or stage races, and replicate many of the great 2017 wins. The riders and the staff are always working hard. They know that getting to the top and staying there it’s no easy task. But they are all professionals and very passionate about what they are doing. Seeing their relentless dedication makes me very optimistic and eager about taking on the new season.”
In 2017, Quick-Step Floors; success was reflected through its 56 race victories. In total, there were 14 riders who took victories in 29 different events. Kittel won five stages at the Tour de France while Gaviria took four victories at the Giro d’Italia. On the other hand, Gilbert was crowned as the Tour of Flanders winner while Trentin won four sprints at the Vuelta a Espana.
