Van Petegem joins Garmin-Cervelo as classics advisor

Belgian former pro rider Peter Van Petegem will take on the role of 'classics advisor' for Garmin-Cervelo during the forthcoming spring classics season.

Van Petegem will help to orchestrate Garmin's Classics campaign with world champion Thor Hushovd, Heinrich Haussler, Tyler Farrar and Britain's Roger Hammond.

"I am very excited to work with such a talented group of riders," said Van Petegem. "I am sure that our combined expertise will strengthen the team and I can't wait to get back on the road with Garmin-Cervelo." 

On Friday afternoon the team confirmed that Paris-Roubaix and double Tour of Flanders winner Van Petegem will work with the them on a short-term contract for Milan-San Remo, Dwars Door Vlaanderen, Ghent-Wevelgem, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix (April 10).

Garmin-Cervelo team boss Jonathan Vaughters added: "We've said all along that we've wanted to become stronger in the Classics and now we're coming 2011 with one of the strongest Classics line-ups in the peloton, with one of the best advisors.

"Having ridden the Cobbled Classics myself, I thought it was important to have someone else in the car with that experience. Van Petegem's expertise on the roads, the tactics, the equipment and Classics strategy will be invaluable for us as a group."

Van Petegem announced his retirement from professional competition in September 2007.

Earlier this year, Garmin directeur sportif Matt White was sacked from the squad for violating the team's internal code when he referred former Garmin rider Trent Lowe to Dr Luis Garcia del Moral without consent from the team's medical staff. Van Petegem will help to fill part of the role left vacant by White's departure.

Peter Van Petegem: Career highlights

2003

Tour of Flanders

Paris Roubaix

2002

Het Volk

Three Days of De Panne

2001

Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne

GP D'Isbergues

Paris Nice (stage two)

2000

GP D'Isbergues

1999

Tour of Flanders

GP E3 Harelbeke

Three Days of De Panne

1998

Het Volk

1997

Het Volk

1994

Scheldeprijs Vlaanderen

Related links

Lowe threatened to expose information in Slipstream case

Matt White sacked from Garmin-Cervelo team

Van Petegem calls it a day