As a consequence of a crash with about 10km remaining in Paris-Nice Stage 2 on Monday, Gianni Meersman left the race this morning, returned to Belgium, and immediately underwent examinations at H.-Hartziekenhuis Roeselare-Menen as decided by team medical staff. Medical checks underlined fractures of the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th ribs of the right hemithorax. A CT Scan also underlined fractures of three, and fissures of six, transverse processes in the dorsal and lumbar areas.

Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team has announced the selection that will take part in Volta ao Algarve, a five-stage race from Feb. 19th until Feb. 23rd. OPQS hopes to repeat similar success as 2013, when Tony Martin and Michal Kwiatkowski went 1-2 in both the individual time trial, as well as the overall. This year the ITT is a distance of 13.6km, and is an undulating parcours. There are also stages for the sprinters, as well as a stage for the climbers: 164.4km Stage 4, which includes a…

Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team has announced the selection that will participate in Trofeo Mallorca, a race from February 9th until February 12th. Trofeo Mallorca — a series of back-to-back one-day races — includes 116km Trofeo Palma, which leaves the possibility for a sprint with only two Category 4 climbs in the earlier part of the race. Trofeo Ses Salines (183km) is a more undulating race, with four Category 4 climbs.

Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team has announced the selection that will participate in Tour of Qatar, from February 9th until February 14th. Returning to the race is Tom Boonen, who has the strongest history of any rider at Tour of Qatar with four GC victories, as well as 20 stage wins. Tour of Qatar— known for strong winds that leave the possibility for a breakaway as well as exciting sprint finales — includes five flat stages no longer than 160.5km, as well as a 10.9km TT.

Mark Cavendish Interview: The fastest man in the World on two wheels is one description of Mark Cavendish, but when it comes to talking he doesn’t hang about either. We found that out in what was meant to be a short interview with the man from the Isle of Man when his Omega Pharma – Quick-Step team were in Spain for their team presentation in January. No lead-out was needed to get ‘Cav’ going!

Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team has announced the selection that will take part in the first edition of the Dubai Tour, from Feb. 5th until Feb. 8th. The race, which serves as the debut of the UCI Asia Tour, features 16 teams and 128 participants. There is a 10km prologue, followed by four flat stages — the longest being a 162.3km third stage.

Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Zdenek Stybar confirmed his presence as a participant in the UCI World Cyclocross Championship in Hoogerheide — which takes place on Sunday, February 2nd— after training on the parcours today.

A world leader in the manufacturing of latex mattresses, pillows and toppers, Latexco has been sponsoring the projects of cycling manager Patrick Lefevere for over 20 years now. With shareholders Luc and Carole Maes both cycling lovers, it seemed only logical for Latexco to heighten brand and corporate awareness through cycling sponsorship.

PEZ ON SCENE: The Omega Pharma – Quick-Step pro cycling team is one of the most successful and it’s always a pleasure to see how a big team functions behind the scenes. PEZ got a close up look at their recent Spain training camp, meeting the riders, taking a spin in a team car and eating a nice lunch. Could it get any better?