A few years ago, Jurgen Van den Broeck was the Belgian pride in the stage races. After a few bad years, he is again optimistic for his future at Katusha. "It was time to change. I no longer had the drive at Lotto," he told De zevende dag.

Can he still return to his former level? That is perhaps the most important question that cycling fans ask themselves when it comes to Jurgen Van den Broeck. "I think I can be as strong as I was a few years ago and my coach says that too," he said.

"Katusha also believes in me. It motivates me greatly that guys like Azevedo and Ekimov (team leaders) still believe in me."

Van den Broeck has a free role at Katusham at least occasionally. "I need to help Spilak in the small stage races and Rodriguez in the Walloon classics, but in the grand tours I can take my own chance.

"Ww have not yet discussed whether I will do the Tour. I have not left Lotto (where he spent nine years, ed) because I was not allowed to do the Tour. It was just time for a change. In the last two years, I no longer had the drive at Lotto.

"It does not matter what grand tour I will do. I'll still go for it 200%. Of course, everyone wants to ride the Tour. I've had great moments (he finished in the top five twice, ed.), but also some very bad ones."

Van den Broeck only signed a one-year contract with Katusha. "They did not give me a lot of security, but a lot of confidence. Financially it is no improvement, but that doesn't matter I especially want to to have fun again.

"Last year I said that I prefer not to ride for too long. Now I want to ride as long as possible. I still train as much during the winter, but now with much more pleasure."