2014 was an annus horribilis for Gert Steegmans who achieved virtually no results and had to leave Omega Pharma-Quick Step in a painful way. Having signed a contract with Trek, the 34-year-old Belgian wants to get back on track as a domestique for Fabian Cancellara.

At his new team Trek Factory Racing, Gert Steegmans has a clearly defined role: "In the classics, I will be riding in support of Fabian [Cancellara], and then I will be with the young sprinters: Stuyven, the Van Poppel brothers and Nizzolo. And when I feel good, I will definitely get my own chance," he tells Het Nieuwsblad.

After this season, the 34-year-old Belgian will leave Omega Pharma-Quick Step. The relationship between the team and Steegmans had turned sour, especially after the disappointment at the Belgian Championships. "I was not happy with the way we handled the situation but I have turned the page.

"I don't want more controversy. The atmosphere around me and Omega Pharma-Quick Step in the media was negative," said the former Tour stage winner. "I do not want to hit back. I owe a lot to the team and I had a nice time, but now it's done."

Thanks to his many years an an employee of Patrick Lefevere, he can provide his new leader Cancellara with a few extra tips. "It's about the position on the bike. From that I can see if someone is feelig good or bad. Unfortunately, they know me too."