Davis leads Quickstep in Tour Down Under

Two more European teams, Quick Step (BEL) and Team Milram (GER),haveconfirmed their place on the start list of the 2009 Tour DownUnder.

Tour Down Under Race Director, Mike Turtur, announced today thatQuickStep’s lead rider for the event is Australia’s Allan Davis.

“Allan is the only rider to compete at all 11 Tour Down Under events(1999 –2009). It will be great to see him back at the race in Adelaidein January,”said Mike Turtur.

Allan Davis finished first on Stage 3 of the 2008 Tour Down Under, taking his Tour Down Under achievements to three stage wins.

“Allan Davis has twice finished second overall at the Tour Down Under,in 2005 and 2008, so 2009 may be his year”, said Mike Turtur.

Davis will be joined by Matteo Tosatto, a Tour de France stage winner.

Team Milram will again return to the race, led by rider Christian Knees who won the 2008 Tour of Bavaria (Bayern Rundfahrt).

“Knees has had a strong season, finishing 29th overall at the Tour de France,” said Mike Turtur.

Milram’s Martin Muller finished first in the Mountains Classificationin the 2005 Tour of Denmark, making him one to watch fight for pointsfor the Skoda King of the Mountain jersey.

The Quick Step team includes: Allan Davis (AUS), Matteo Tosatto(ITA),Dries Devenyns (BEL), Davide Malacarne (ITA), Francesco Reda(ITA),Hubert Schwab (SUI) and Kurt Hovelijnck (BEL). Quick Step’sTeamManager for the Tour Down Under will be Rik Van Slycke (BEL).

Team Milram will be led by Team Manager Vittorio Algeri (ITA) forthe 2009 Tour Down Under and the riders include: Christian Knees (GER),Luca Barla (ITA), Martin Muller (GER), Markus Eichler (GER), WillemStroetinga (NED), Thomas Rohregger (AUT) and Ronny Scholz (GER).