Snow stops Devolder

Stijn Devolder has set his sights on the Tour de France and nothing is going to stop him in his meticulous preparations for the race. Nothing except the weather, that is. He and some Team Quick Step colleagues were unable to go to the top of the Tourmalet on Monday because of the snow. They had to give up with only one and a half kilometres to go, and finish it off in the team car. Devolder was earlier able to ride Hautacam on the bike, though, for a total of about five and a half hours on the day.

"I'm satisfied with the work we've done," sports director Dirk Demol said on the team's website, qsi-cycling.com. "In two days, we've put together about ten and a half hours of training. Stijn is pedaling really well. Too bad about the lousy weather, but unfortunately this factor is always a part of the game."

Carlos Barredo was supposed to be along on the training rides, but instead was at the side of his father, who has been placed in an induced coma, after falling ill Friday afternoon. He reported that his father's condition is improving.

"I'm sorry that Barredo can't be by my side in this training camp, but family is definitely more important than cycling," Devolder said.(SW)