Three flying Dutchmen - Aart Vierhouten, Leon van Bon, and Koos Moerenhout.(Image credit: DCP/Bert Geerts)
Axel Merckx talks about his 2005 plans.(Image credit: DCP/Bert Geerts)
Cadel Evans, the team's big - and only - GC hope.(Image credit: DCP/Bert Geerts)
Nico Mattan, one of a handful of Classics specialists on the team.(Image credit: DCP/Bert Geerts)
Peter van Petegem, Davitamon's 35 year-old Classics specialist.(Image credit: DCP/Bert Geerts)
Sprinter Robbie McEwen, enjoying one of the benefits of being on a Belgian team.(Image credit: DCP/Bert Geerts)
Tom Steels will be looking for more sprint victories this year.(Image credit: DCP/Bert Geerts)
Belgian team Davitamon-Lotto, which has started the year with a flurry of wins, was presented on Tuesday in Oostende, Belgium. The 27 man squad is mostly a mixture of ex-Lotto-Domo and Relax-Bodysol riders, with 11 of last year's Lotto squad remaining on board. Chief among these are Peter Van Petegem, who will again lead the team in the classics. "Like in my best years I'm in form very early in the season," said Van Petegem. "That is a very good sign."
Robbie McEwen will be the team's main sprinter, complemented by Tom Steels and Fred Rodriguez, allowing the team to function at full strength in all the ProTour races. "The season is long, but it's good to have won already," said McEwen. "I feel that the team is very strong. Maybe I'll ride the three grand tours this year."
Axel Merckx returns to the team, and will be a handy man to have in the hillier classics. And apart from Fred Rodriguez, the team's other main signings are Nico Mattan (Bodysol), Mario Aerts and Cadel Evans (T-Mobile) and Henk Vogels (Navigators).
