Quick Step and Milram confirm Tour Down Under rosters

Quick Step and Team Milram have confirmed their start lists for the 2009 Tour Down Under and Race Director Mike Turtur is pleased with the presence of Allan Davis and Christian Knees.

"Allan is the only rider to compete at all 11 Tour Down Under events from 1999 to 2009. It will be great to see him back at the race in Adelaide in January," said Turtur. "Allan Davis has twice finished second overall at the Tour Down Under, in 2005 and 2008, so 2009 may be his year."

Davis also finished first on stage 3 of the 2008 Tour Down Under, taking his third career stage win. Davis will be joined by Tour de France stage winner Matteo Tosatto, Dries Devenyns, Davide Malacarne, Francesco Reda, Hubert Schwab and Kurt Hovelijncjk.

Team Milram will return to the Tour Down Under led by rider Christian Knees, winner of the 2008 Bayern Rundfahrt.

"Knees has had a strong season, finishing 29th overall at the Tour de France," said Turtur. "Also, Milram's Martin Muller finished first in the Mountains Classification in the 2005 Tour of Denmark, making him one to watch fight for points for the king of the mountain jersey."

Knees and Muller will be joined by teammates Luca Barla, Markus Eichler, Willem Stroetinga, Thomas Rohregger and Ronny Scholz.