Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team asked fans following the team Twitter account @opqscyclingteam to submit a question they want our riders to answer. We managed to get some responses from the team! Check out the answers below.
1. What is Chavanel's favorite "real" food item (not gel, bar, etc) to eat both on bike & after race? Thx!
Sylvain said he likes to eat seafood! Oysters and mussels are a couple of his favorites, but also "crevettes" (French for shrimp). Even during the Tour, to satisfy his taste for seafood, he will eat some. But he has to be careful as one can get sick. He tries to eat as much seafood as he can when he is home. He is not the only one on the team who enjoys seafood! Tony Martin's favorite dish is Tagliatelle with scampi.
2. What is the favorite dish of @LeviLeipheimer?
Levi said his favorite dish is pizza. He particularly enjoys the pizza, and other Italian food, of Ristorante la Riviera in Santa Rosa.
3. What's the best way to clean your kit after a hard day in the saddle? #OPQS#LOVETORIDENOTSMELL
Our soigneurs will wash the clothes of each rider daily, paying close attention at all times and using hypoallergenic products. There is a washing machine in the team bus, so we wash the clothes of our riders, let them dry, and then give them back to the riders that same evening. We make sure we clean our kits immediately.
4. What is the meaning of the tattoo on Chavanel's right leg? Why does he have this tattoo? #TDF12#OPQS
According to Chava, the tattoo is of a dragon. He got it because it is a symbol of fire and power. He did it in 2000, his first year as a professional. He also has a surprise for the future. He will be changing the tattoo, so wait and find out how he will change it!
5 What is the hardest thing about getting up and starting again every day for 3 weeks?
According to Peter Velits, It is a question of habit. It's not so much a problem when a rider is fit, and in good condition. But maybe the last days, they might be tired or a little injured. That is when it becomes difficult, so the riders try to sleep as much as possible and try to recover 100 percent. The riders try to optimize their time and do everything possible to earn a little bit of time and have more time to relax after the stages.
6. What is the favorite meal of Peter Velits?
Peter said his favorite meal is a Slovakian specialty: Bryndzove Halusky. There are three basic parts:
A. Pasta, made of potatoes and flour
B. Cheese, resembling a sauce, which is put on the top of the pasta. It is made of sheep cheese, mixed with a little bit of whipping cream
C. Small pieces of fried bacon which is put on the very top of the dish
Sometimes, people even drink buttermilk with this meal!
As you can imagine, this is a very high calorie dish Peter prefers. It's important to note that riders follow a healthy diet when racing. That's why OPQS has its own kitchen at the Tour. Mitch from Kookeiland prepares every day a healthy breakfast and dinner for our riders.
