Belgian Champion, Stijn Devolder, indicating that there might be more than one way to prepare for the World Championships, has opted out of the upcoming Vuelta a Espana to take part in the Eneco Tour. The race, which starts with a 5.2 kilometer prologue in Steenwijk, Holland, will follow the short prologue with almost 1200 kilometers of road stages in the following six stages, and then culminate with a decisive 16.9 kilometer individual showdown in Genk, Belgium.
Quick Step director, Wilfried Peeters, tells Sporza that the enigmatic talent's motives are actually quite simple.
"He wants to show his jersey to his own people."
The rider who has made a career of performing at a high level in Belgium can be forgiven for wanting to eschew a three week race around Spain when there was a more than acceptable race going right through his backyard.
"Stijn's participation came came after consultations between the rider and the team. He wants to show his champion's jersey to his own people. For him, it is better preparation for the World Championships."
With Devolder's penchant for winning at home, he has to be looked upon as a favorite for the race that takes in a little bit of everything that both the Netherlands and Belgium have to offer.
Peeters, like any self respecting director of Devolder, is hesitant to grant Devolder favorite status. The mega talent, who will be headed to Vacansoleil in 2011, has a habit of vacillating between one of the world's best and one of the world's forgotten.
"Can he win? A lot of that will depend on the situation of the race and how Stijn feels. The Flemish Ardennes are the ordinary for him and are a chance for him to get ahead. The final time trial is right up his alley."
Devolder's departure from the Quick Step Vuelta squad will leave the door open for one of three possible alternates (Boonen is also an alternate, but does not look to be a possibility) - Addy Engels, Kevin Hulsmans, and Nikolas Maes.