11 WorldTour teams have joined forces in the Velon group which tries to make cycling more exciting and accessible. Omega Pharma-Quick Step manager Patrick Lefevere is one of the key players. In an interview with Spora, the Belgian elaborates on the plans and criticizes the organizers of the Tour of Flanders.

Patrick Lefevere tries to explain Velon, a joint venture of 11 World Tour teams, simply. 

"11 teams have come together to make cycling even more professional and to be in a better bargaining position against the race organizers," the Omega Pharma-Quick Step manager told Sporza.

Velon is based on 3 pillars: more excitement, new technology and sustainable, credible teams. 

"A modified calendar can provide more excitement. We want fewer race days. In that way the better riders won't try to avoid each othe rbut will be riding more against each other.

"The spectators have the right to see best riders compete against each other. For a long time, I have asked to shorten the grand tours. A grand tour of 21 days is no longer modern. 17 days suffice for me.

"Regarding the technological changes I think of cameras on bikes and in the cars but also microphonoes. We have already tried it and it was impressive. In your living room you can follow the sprint preparation. You sit on Cavendish's bike as he fights against Kittel and co."

And what does Lefevere and Velon mean by credible and sustainable teams?

"There is too much talk about doping. Well-structured teams can prove that it is not necessary. You can never avoid that lone riders do something. There are thieves everywhere in society.

"But sustainability also means that the teams do not exist for a few years and then disappear. This sport needs to survive. We can't afford to lose the young fans. With Velon, we follow the development and we try to anticipate. It is our responsibility to think about the future. "

Patrick Lefevere and Velon advocate for more excitement and yesterday the organizers of the Tour of Flanders announced that the course will be even harder in 2015, with the addition of two additional climbs. Lefevere criticizes the decision harshly.

"19 hellingen in De Ronde? I think not a good development. Cycling is a TV sport and is beautiful to watch. But if it gets boring because the riders don't attack, then it has to do with the difficult nature of the course.

"People swear off drugs and want to bring out the truth, but we do nothing against organizers who always make the races harder.

The riders are better athletes than before. The level is higher. But there is no reason to make the races harder than necessary.

"De Ronde has to stay like De Ronde has always been and in Milan-Sanremo there is no reason to add that extra climb (Pomepiana, ed.). Look at Liège-Bastogne-Liège. In the 70s there were 11 climbs on the course and there was excitement. Now there are 27 climbs and there is no longer exciting."