After an extremely successful campaign delivered by Tom Boonen in 2012, finished with convincing victories in E3 Harelbeke, Gent-Wavelgem, Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders, Omega Pharma – Quick Step rider had to enter the 2013 year with equally high expectations, while the passing season turned out to be the one to forget for the Belgian rider.

Due to constantly recurring injuries and health problems, last season 33-year old Champion was never able to reach the winning form he has shown in 2012, but Omega Pharma-Quick step manager Patrick Lefevere ensures, that Boonen is far away from being finished as a professional rider while the motivation and mental strength is still there, and he remains a top figure in the Belgian squad.

The team’s spiritual leadership became an important issue discussed during the training camp held earlier in December in Spain, as Omega Pharma-Quick step owner Zdenek Bakala firmly stood for Boonen as a figurehead.

“Tom still has a great value for the team. Team owner Bakala spoke at the training camp to the squad and he told the team that Tom remains the figurehead - no one stood up to protest,” Lefevere told Gazet van Antwerpen.

"Quite a few people say that Boonen is finished. This is nonsense. He was rarely sharper, full of enthusiasm and has had brilliant tests.

"And what is most important is that his head is good. I expect a great season from him."

Despite of the 2013 year being totally lost for Boonen due to injuries, Omega Pharma-Quick Step once more hit the highest number of victories claimed by professional teams last season, with particularly 57 wins on the road, many thanks to their newly signed indispensable Mark Cavendish.

With the British sprinter being reunited with his best lead-out man Mark Renshaw for 2014 season, as well as the arrival of the first Omega Pharma-Quick Step serious GC contender in the shape of Colombian Rigoberto Uran, the Belgian team certainly will be eager to improve on this number in the coming year.

However, all the excitement connected with gaining valuable riders for the team in the likes of Uran, Renshaw, Bakelants or Poels was somehow spoiled by the departure of Sylvain Chavanel. Lefevere admits, it was unavoidable mainly due to financial issues connected with signing Uran.

The Frenchman had been a consistent winner for the team since moving from Cofidis but according to Lefevere he could no longer afford to keep the future IAM Cycling rider.

"The sponsors wanted someone who could play a significant role during the Tour and that was Rigoberto Uran. As a result, there was no budgetary room for Chavanel."