For 2016, the super-domestiques Stijn Devolder (36) and Yaroslav Popovych (35) will continue riding in the pinstripes of the Trek Factory Racing team. Both will again focus on the spring classics, where their experience and hard work – instrumental in the past – will yet again prove key to the team’s successes.
“I am really glad that I could prolong my contract because at this point of my career I didn’t want to change teams anymore. I always need some time to adjust to a new environment and I genuinely feel good in this team so obviously I wanted to stay with Trek Factory Racing Team,” says Devolder.
Sports director Dirk Demol, who brought Devolder to the team in 2013, is excited to keep the Belgian on board: “I am very happy that he stays with us next year, because we need him, with his experience and his big palmares, especially in the classics. This year I saw him changing into a real team player. In the spring classics with Fabian [Cancellara] we still have one of the main contenders for the win and Devolder can be of great help for him.”
“No, I don’t think about the end of my career yet,” continues Devolder firmly. “Honestly, I hope I can add still a few more years.”
Talking about his goals for the next season, Devolder’s first and predominant focus is the spring classics, where he wants to help Cancellara be at the top again in races like E3-Prijs Harelbeke, Tour of Flanders, and Paris-Roubaix.
Yaroslav Popovych (35), another valuable super-domestique on Trek Factory Racing, will be riding his 15th and last professional season with the team in 2016.
Popovych: “Like always I am very happy to have the possibility to ride with this team, with these guys. My main goal is to work hard and to help the guys to win the races. That is my work, and I like to do that. I am happy to be able to end my career with them.”
General Manager, Luca Guercilena: “We are indeed more than happy to keep Popo on board for the next season. Over the past few years, he has always been part of the group supporting Fabian during the spring classics. He has tons of experience and he is still really useful to the team.”
