With a season of near anonymity behind him, Thomas De Gendt is ready to start over with Omega Pharma - Quick Step. After a 2012 in which he had finally shown his talent and his imagination, in 2013 the former rider from Vacansoleil-DCM could not repeat his stellar 2012 due to some physical ailments, but mainly because of too much pressure placed on his shoulders.

"My main goal is to demonstrate that my performance last year should not be attributed to my laziness, but injuries - he told RTBF - Last year I was the leader at Vacansoleil, I can now work in the shadows, where I feel more at ease.”

During my first years with the Dutch team in which I was not the leader, I did well. I prefer to be the second or third man in the hierarchy, to create some surprises."

In a few days he will debut at the Tour Down Under, where he can immediately test his legs: “If I compare my winter training this year to last year with Vacansoleil in preparation for the Tour Down Under, I have to say that this year I did a lot more climbs. This is absolutely necessary in view of the season ahead. Moreover Omega Pharma works much more professionally than Vacansoleil. Everything we do here has a purpose. Each workout has a clear objective."