Van Petegem to leave Lotto

ByEurosport

Published 02/06/2006 at 09:44 GMT

Double Flanders victor Peter Van Petegem will bid adieu to Davitamon-Lotto next season after four years with the Belgian team. Davitamon, which has already signed classics specialist Leif Hoste for next year, said it was "choosing youth" for 2007 and 2008

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Citing its union with the Belgian national lottery, Davitamon announced on its website that, "the team must have an important base of Belgian riders, with special attention on the young and the future of Belgian cycling."

Van Petegem, 36, has not won a race since 2003 when he completed a memorable Tour of Flanders-Paris-Roubaix double.

Van Petegem finished third at this year's Ronde and again third at the Paris-Roubaix, but was disqualified after crossing a downed train barrier on the road to Roubaix.

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While young Belgians were the focus of Davitamon's reasoning, they also said they wanted to continue recruiting a base of strong foreign talent like Australians Robbie McEwen and Cadel Evans, and American Chris Horner.

Van Petegem has said that he only wants to race for a Belgian Pro Tour team in 2007, which leaves Davitamon rivals Quick Step as the only alternative.

Quick Step boss Patrick Lefevere has expressed interest in the two-time Flanders winner.

"I can't deny that we have talked with Van Petegem," Lefevere told VRT.

"On a sporting level, we are interested, but the financial aspect must also work. We will see what comes out of it.

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