While the rest of the Omega Pharma-Quick Step lead-out train are riding - and winning - in the Tour de Suisse, Alessandro Petacchi will finalize his Tour de France preparations in the Ster ZLM Toer which starts today. The Italian may get a rare chance to sprint for himself in the mostly flat race but could also ride in support of Andrew Fenn, Gianni Meersman or Nikolas Maes in the sprint finishes.

Omega Pharma – Quick-Step has announced the selection that will participate in Ster ZLM Toer GP Jan van Heeswijk, a five-stage race from June 18th until June 22nd. The race includes a 7.2km prologue, and stages all less than 200 kilometers in length.

“This will be a good race,” Sport Director Tom Steels said. “We go with a group of riders who will have the possibility to play their own chances. Gianni Meersman will return after his abandon at Dauphine, so it will be perfect to prepare for the Belgian Championships. We can also count on Alessandro Petacchi. But in any case we will have riders with more freedom than usual to get into the action and try to get more results.”

Line-up:

Alessandro Petacchi, Nikolas Maes, Julien Vermote, Guillaume Van Keirsbulck, Petr Vakoc, Gianni Meersman, Andrew Fenn and Iljo Keisse