Road Season Preview 2004

January 22, 2004

Relax - Bodysol

Relax-Bodysol presentation

Division I newcomer hopes to make a mark

Nico Mattan
Photo ©: Luc Claessen/CN

Spanish registered team Relax-Bodysol held its presentation in Wevelgem, Belgium on Thursday evening, January 22. The team is a splice between the old Relax-Fuenlabrada squad and Quick.Step manager Patrick Lefevere's latest brainchild, Bodysol-Brustor [Bodysol is a division of Omega Pharma, which also owns Davitamon]. Bodysol was originally set up as a Division II feeder team for Quick.Step-Davitamon, but decided to merge with Relax-Fuenlabrada last year. Then when Kelme and Domina Vacanze were denied Division I status, Relax-Bodysol grabbed the chance to move into Division I.

The team is composed of 16 Spanish riders, 8 Belgians and 1 Dutchman, and is jointly managed by José Maria Perez and Herman Frison, with Jesus Suarez Cueva serving as team director. Nico Mattan is the team's captain, although the squad can also draw on the experience of Santiago Blanco and Josep Jufre.

"My objective will be to win races of course, but with such a young team what is important is to help the development of the team's riders," said Mattan.

General manager Patrick Lefevere also admitted that while it was a young team, it will certainly try to play a role in races. "I hope that we can start in the Tour de France. We are certainly no weaker than some of the other candidates.

Relax-Bodysol roster for 2004

Photography

Images by Luc Claessen/Cyclingnews/actiefotos.be

• The Spanish riders at the Relax-Bodysol presentation in Wevelgem.
• Dutch rider Niels Scheuneman was second in the espoirs time trial at the World Road Championships in Hamilton.
• A few of the riders have a laugh on the podium.
• Miss Belgium, Ellen Petry, poses with Santiago Blanco Gil.
• Belgian rider Wim De Vocht is one of five riders coming from Quick.Step-Davitamon.
• Omega Pharma (Bodysol) manager Marc Coucke gives his perspective on the team's line-up for 2004.
• Belgians Wim De Vocht (L) and Nico Mattan (M) with Dutch rider Niels Scheuneman.
• Johan Van Summeren was second in the espoirs road race at the World's Road Championships in Hamilton.
• Nico Mattan transfers from Cofidis, and is looking pretty happy about his new team.
• Nico Mattan relaxes on one of the team cars.
• Drum roll please... Nico Mattan takes the role of a PR person, albeit for just a moment.
• Look Mum, no hands! One of the Relax-Bodysol team members shows off his latest party trick.
• Once the team manager (L) shows up, the fun and games stop.