Team CSC still chasing first 2006 victory

It won't be long until Team CSC will score its first race victory in the new season, as the Danish team has been up front in many events so far - but missing the number one podium step by a hair every time. At the 38th Memorial Samyn on Wednesday, January 1, a race previously known as Fayt-le-Franc and dating all the way back to 1967, it was the young CSC riders who provided some exposure for the squad: especially 21 year-old Matti Breschel.

"We did really well today and for a long time I had the feeling we'd take our first victory this year," said sports director Kim Andersen after the Belgian 1.1 race. "Matti was in a break more or less the entire day and Christian Müller and Martin Pedersen were also up front. Towards the end, Matti made the decisive break along with seven other riders, but one of the French teams was represented by four guys so it wasn't easy for us."

Finally, AG2R rider Renaud Dion made the decisive attack for his first professional victory at 28 years of age, and Breschel was second in the sprint behind Philippe Gilbert, who won Het Volk on Saturday. Despite the defeat, CSC director Andersen is hopeful for the next-up events. "All in all it was a good race and we definitely showed good form. Matti really impressed today and it looks promising for the oncoming cobble stone races," he said.