Jartazi team continues with Revor, Vervecken and VDB?

The Belgian Mitsubishi-Jartazi team will continue through 2009 with a new co-title sponsor to replace the car company, and three-time cyclo-cross World Champion Erwin Vervecken in its midst as of January 1. Jartazi, a sportswear manufacturer will join with cyclo-cross sponsor Revor, a mattress maker to field both road and cyclo-cross teams in the new year.

The team will lose Patrick Stallaert, the manager of Jartazi, who no longer wanted the responsibility of running a cycling team. He will hand over the reigns to Revor team manager Jeroen Vanderspinnen. Vanderspinnen and directors Andre Tummeleer and Wim De Wolf are busy working to fill in the roster, and are holding the door open for the possible return of Frank Vandenbroucke.

"The budget of the team is half million [euros], and we want to build a balanced team," Stallaert told Belga. "The aim is two weeks to have 16 names." He indicated the team is in negotiations with Wouter Van Mechelen and Jan Kuyckx (both of Landbouwkrediet-Tönissteiner).

He did not rule out the possibility that Vandenbroucke would have a place on the team, but said that it was up to the rider to show he is ready.

"I still maintain good contacts with Frank," Stallaert said. "We have already agreed that he will build up his fitness further. After a few months we will see whether he is ready.

"If Frank thinks he is ready, he will have to undergo medical tests. The door is always open for VDB with me. I can not say a bad word about him."