Boonen replacement named

Jun 30th, 10.  Team Quick Step has announced Francesco Reda as the replacement rider for injured Tom Boonen in this year's Tour de France

Francesco Reda (c)QSI/Tim De Waele.

Reda, a second year rider for Quick Step, wasn't the team's first choice as replacement but Tour de France rules caught the team out.

"Wouter Weylandt, with his skills as a sprinter would have been a natural substitute for Tom Boonen," said Team Manager Patrick Lefevere.

"Unfortunately, Wouter was not on the list of 15 riders that was initially submitted to the ASO, so he can not take the start. However we have loads of confidence in Francesco and his athletic freshness."

Reda, who the team call a fast finisher, hasn't had a successful season to date - he fractured his clavicle after falling in Tirreno-Adriatico.

The 28 year old has ridden the Giro d'Italia twice, but this is his first time competing at the Tour de France.

"I'm very excited," said Reda. "I've always dreamt of competing in the Tour de France. My only regret is that I made it on to the team because of Tom Boonen's misfortune. I hope he gets better as soon as possible."

"The Grande Boucle is one of the great stage race that I have never gone for. I'm starting out with the goal of riding my best stage after stage and, if I get the chance, I'll try to take advantage of my chances to capture the best results."

"We're absolutely sure that Francesco will prove his worth during the race," said Sports Director Wilfried Peeters. "We're starting out with an aggressive team made up of experienced riders who have already ridden on the roads of the Grande Boucle, supported by a very motivated group of young riders. We're definitively counting on standing out in the stages in which we do best, and we'll be pushing for at least a partial success."