Eleven of the Etixx – Quick-Step team are ready and motivated to kick-off their season this week in Mallorca
![]() |
Team News: Etixx – Quick-Step in Mallorca
Trofeo Felanitx-Ses Salines-Campos-Porreres (176.8 km), Trofeo Pollença-Port de Andratx (153 km), Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana (143.9 km) and Trofeo Playa de Palma-Palma (161.5 km) are the four races scheduled in the second half of this week – between the 28th and 31st of January – that will come with a mix of flat and hillier terrain, two of them being suited to sprinters, while the other two will provide a fair chance to the climbers and puncheurs to steal the show.
Pic: ©Tim De Waele
The Challenge Mallorca will also see many of the Etixx – Quick-Step riders open their 2016 account under the Spanish sun. Julian Alaphilippe, Maxime Bouet, Gianluca Brambilla, Laurens De Plus, Iljo Keisse, Yves Lampaert, Gianni Meersman, Zdenek Stybar, Niki Terpstra, Matteo Trentin and Julien Vermote will form the team’s contingent for the four races, which they will ride after previously training in the Balearic Islands in the past two weeks, under the supervision of Tom Steels, himself a winner of three races of the event (Trofeo Calvia twice and Trofeo Soler), back in 1997 and 1998.
The 45-year-old Etixx – Quick-Step sport director talked about the riders’ preparation ahead of the start of the European season and why the first appointments of the year are important: “After Calpe, the riders had a week of recovery, and then returned to Mallorca, where during the past two weeks we did distance training, but also small and intense effort behind the motorbike, so that they could easily get into race speed.
Everybody showed a really good condition, worked hard and now awaits the start of the season with huge motivation. I noticed the riders are keen to prove themselves early, and that’s always an encouraging sign. These first races will show how everything is going, and although you have to be competitive for them, it doesn’t mean you have to be at 100%. Of course, everyone wants to win as soon the season starts, but we aren’t going to put any pressure on our guys.â€
Of the riders lining-up for the Spanish races, Laurens De Plus will be the one making his debut in pro cycling. The youngest World Tour rider in 2016, he came to Etixx – Quick-Step recommended by top results in some of the toughest U23 events, such as Ronde de l’Isard, Giro della Valle d’Aosta and Tour de l’Avenir. Now, after getting integrated in the team and attending the winter’s three training blocks, he is ready to pin a number and finally taste pro racing.
“The camp was hard, but nice in the same time. I enjoyed it a lot, even when I was suffering, because I really love what I’m doing. Must say I can’t wait to wear my Etixx – Quick-Step jersey in a race. I am a little bit nervous, but the older guys have been super nice to me and gave a lot of advice and tips, which made me more relaxedâ€, said the 20-year-old Belgian ahead of his debut in Spain, a country he’s never raced before as a junior or U23.
Riders
Julian Alaphilippe (FRA)
Maxime Bouet (FRA)
Gianluca Brambilla (ITA)
Laurens De Plus (BEL)
Iljo Keisse (BEL)
Yves Lampaert (BEL)
Gianni Meersman (BEL)
Zdenek Stybar (CZE)
Niki Terpstra (NED)
Matteo Trentin (ITA)
Julien Vermote (BEL)
Sports Director Jan Schaffrath (GER)
Stages
28.01.16 1. TROFEO FELANITX – PORRERES Felanitx – Porreres 176.8 km
29.01.16 2. TROFEO POLLENÇA – ANDRATX Pollença – Andratx 153.0 km
30.01.16 3. TROFEO SERRA DE TRAMUNTAN Sóller – Deià 143.9 km
31.01.16 4. Trofeo Playa de Palm s’Aranjassa – Palma 161.5 km
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- Result: Forge Valley Crits #3 P/B YBC
- Result: Hove Park Crits #2
- TT Result: VTTA (London & Home Counties) 10
- Result: CCA Summer in the City Crits #11
- Result: AIRC Course de Deux #1
- Result: Castle Combe Summer Series 9
- Result: Cream First Criterium Series 10
- Result: Chorley CC UCLAN Series 3
- Result: Cowley Road Condors Road Race (women)
- TT Result: AeroCoach Midland Championships
- TT Result: North Devon Velo 10
- TT Result: Jubilee Rumble Strip 10
- TT Result: Muckle CC TT
- TT Result: Cleveland Wheelers CC 18
- TT Result: Wyre Forest Cycle Racing Club 10
- Result: White Rose Youth League R7
- Result: Surrey League/London Dynamo RR
- TT Result: RTTC National 100 Mile Championship
- TT Result: Zak Carr Memorial 10
- TT Result: Yorkshire Cycling Federation 50
- TT Result: Port Sunlight Wheelers 10
- TT Result: Lindsey Roads CC 10
- TT Result: Lea Valley CC 10
- TT Result: Alltrax 10m TT
- TT Result: Epsom CC 10
- TT Result: Shropshire CCA Championship 10
- Result: King and Queen of the Bowl Crit Series #11
- Result: RL360 Isle of Man Youth League Rd 12
- GB Team for Track Euros
- Result: West Thames League Rnd 13
- Result: RCR Goodwood Series #8
- Result: Portsmouth Evening Circuits
- Result: Thank Crit it’s Friday 4
- Result: Swindon Summer Race Series 3
- Result: Full Gas Summer Circuit Series 14
- Result: National Circuit Series – Guildford
- TT Result: Westerley Cycling Club 25
- TT Result: Ross on Wye & Dist CC 25
- TT Result: Northampton & District CA 12.7m TT
- TT Result: Border City Whs CC 25
Other News on VeloUK
- GB Team for Track Euros
- Opening of Sir Mark Cavendish Raceway
- Bike News: Ribble Cycles Alloy Bikes
- This Weekend: Junior Road Championships
- Wednesday: Otley Cycle Races
- Mid Shropshire Wheelers celebrates 100 Years of Cycling
- Team Feature: Prologue Junior Racing Team Spring Review
- New: Ribble Cycles Ultra-Grit & Allgrit Ranges
- START LISTS FOR BRITISH ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS
- STARTLIST: Two day Giant Tugby Ronde van Wymeswold
- NEWS: MAJOR JUNIOR TEAMS TO MERGE FOR 2026
- Entries Wanted: Ilkley Town Centre Races
- Report/Result: Women’s Tour of Britain Stage 2
- Report: Women’s Tour of Britain Stage 1
- STARTLIST: Owen Blower Memorial Road Races
- Events: Halesowen Academy Road Race
- News: May Pedal Club Lunch
- RIBBLE PARTNERS WITH THE BIKE FITTERS
- Monday: Witham Wheelers Road Races
- British Stars for Women’s Tour of Britain
- Women’s Tour of Britain Riders 2025
- BIKES: RIBBLE UNVEILS ULTRA-RACE
- Women’s Tour of Britain Routes
- STARTLISTS: 2025 Lincoln Grand Prix
- STARTLIST: The Witham Hall Grand Prix
- Startlist: Timmy James Memorial Grand Prix
- FEATURE: PEDAL CLUB LUNCH REPORT (APRIL)
- 2025 BRITISH ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS – ROUTES
- STARTLIST: Sloan Trophy (April 27)
- News: Teams Revealed for the Women’s Tour of Britain
- Startlist: CiCLE Classic International
- Sunday: CiCLE Classic UCI Road Race
- News: Women’s Tour of Britain Stage Hosts
- PERTH GRAND PRIX (SCOTLAND)
- April 19: PNE National B Road Race
- STARTLIST: East Cleveland Classic
- Startlists: Witham Hall Junior Two Day (Men & Women)
- Startlist: Totnes-Vire Two Day
- STARTLISTS: Cold Dark Capenwray Road Races
- News: CiCLE Classic – Volunteers Wanted