Trek Factory Racing chose a special way to introduce their cycling team to the world. Via Twitter, the team presented each of the 27 riders that will try to achieve success for the Americans. One of them is new signing Gert Steegmans who will be of importance for Fabian Cancellara in the classics.

With no less than 14 different nationalities, the American team is the most international team this year. To satisfy all the fans, they decided to skip the traditional team presentation. Instead, the riders were announced one by one via Twitter.

“This year we wanted to have no physical presentation that a lot of fans couldn’t attend,” press officer Tim Vanderjeugd told Sporza. “Last year, for example, we only had Belgians and Frenchmen. Therefore we made the presentation online.

Fabian Cancellara is expected to lead the team. The Swiss has set  his sights on a historic fourth victory in the Tour of Flanders. With mountain goat Julian Arredondo and stage race rider Bauke Mollema, they can be active on all fronts.

But four Belgians are also part of the the American team. Jasper Stuyven, Stijn Devolder, Gert Steegmans and Kristof Vandewalle will try to help the leaders.

Jasper Stuyven, one of the great talents of the American team, will again show himself in the Flemish classics. He wants to confirm the good performance of last year. "I want to again take steps forward," he tells Sporza. "I think I will be slightly higher in the hierarchy, but I'm still not a leader."

"I need to still prove myself in the finals of the races, but at a race like Dwars door Vlaanderen I hope to get my chance. We have a strong team for the classics. There is a lot of competition and that keeps me sharp."

Stijn Devolder also aims at the classics. "I will still have the same role as in other years. I'm sort of lieutenant for Cancellara and then there are races where I can get my own chance. If I can end 2015 with a nice  victory, I will look back with satisfaction.

"I'm going to try to conquer my fourth Belgian drikleur at the Belgian Championships, but I would also like to again be at the start of the Tour. Then I need to be at my best physical level.”

A newcomer at Trek is Gert Steegmans who joined the team from Quick Step. "I feel very good here," said Steegmans. "I will do my job for Cancellara and assist the young sprinters.

"But I will have a bit more freedom in this team and may go for a bit more personal success. Of course I ride in the service of the leaders, but if I feel good, I will also be able to pick my own races.”

Cancellara isvery pleased with the arrival of Steegmans. "His arrival was an early Christmas present for me," the Swiss said. "You know he will be where he needs to and he is super motivated.”