The Belgian continental team, Donckers Koffie-Jelly Belly, formerly known as Qin, has made a huge leap forward in the quality of its outfit heading into the 2011 season.
Recently, it was announced that Garmin-Transitions rider Ricardo Van Der Velde, former Garmin and NetApp rider Huub Duyn, and QuickStep's Kurt Hovelynck would all be making the move to the small Belgian outfit.
Now, the team can lay claim to another solid name: long time QuickStep domestique, Kevin Hulsmans.
Hulsmans has spent his entire eleven year professional career with the Patrick Lefevere, first with Mapei-QuickStep in 2000, all the way to QuickStep in 2010.
The 32 year old native of Lommel has made a career as an able worker for the team's superstars, particularly Tom Boonen, but still managed a few wins - a stage of the Niedersachsen Rundfahrt in 2000, a stage of Circuit Franco-Belge in 2002, and the Lommel Criterium in 2006. This season, Hulsmans best result was 15th at the Vattenfall Cyclassics.
After over a decade as a loyal soldier in the Lefevere brigade, Hulsmans was ready for a change.
There are two main reasons for my move," said Hulsmans in a conversation with De Morgen today. "Firstly, I will move to the fore as a leader in this team, because I still cherish the ambition to win races. Secondly, I can use my experience to raise the team to a higher level. With sports director and owner, Rudy Donckers, I find moreover a mentor who has guided me since the start of my career at the cycling school of Neerpelt."
The biggest question now is - what major races will the team be able to get invitations to do next spring?