This is your personal introduction to every rider on the Silence-Lotto team, including some personal and sport related facts you surely didn't know before.

Simply move your cursor over the images of the team riders and you'll immediately see that particular rider's profile.

Name:

Tom Stubbe

Nationality:

Belgian

Date of Birth:

26. Mai 1981

Frame Size:

54

Nickname:

Stubla

Domicile:

Blankenberge

What I like about my Canyon:

It looks great. Above all I like the frame geometry and the colour. What I also like is that the bike is both stiff and light.

My personal impression of the Silence-Lotto Team:

The team line-up is very strong. I believe that we have a lot of talented riders who will get a lot of wins for us.

My personal aims for 2009:

Above all it's my aim to help our leading riders, but if I get my chance I 'll also take it and maybe get that first place on the podium.

How I got involved in cycling:

It was mainly through my dad, who was an enthusiastic amateur rider. One could say that I basically grew up with cycling.

My favourite race/highlight of the season:

Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

The race I dislike most of all:

—

The car I drive:

I don't have my own car, but I sometimes drive my parents' Renault Clio or Kangoo.

My dream car:

Aston Martin DB9

My favourite food/drink:

Lasagne and coffee.

My favourite TV show:

—

My next holiday destination:

Australia

Name:

Thomas Dekker

Nationality:

Netherlands

Date of Birth:

6. September 1984

Frame Size:

58

Nickname:

Dekkertje

Domicile:

Dirkshorn

What I like about my Canyon:

It is the perfect bike for me: stiff and light, but still comfortable on long stages.

My personal impression of the Silence-Lotto Team:

We line-up really well, as we have specialists for both the one-day classics and the big tours in our squad.

My personal aims for 2009:

I've got several aims this season: The Ardennes Classics, the Tour de France and the World Championship. I want to give everything in those races and be right up there with the leaders.

How I got involved in cycling:

—

My favourite race/highlight of the season:

Tour de France

The race I dislike most of all:

I actually like all the races. There isn't one that I really can't stand.

The car I drive:

Porsche 997 4S

My dream car:

Porsche Carrera GT

My favourite food/drink:

In general I like all Italian food and my favourite drink is Cola Light.

My favourite TV show:

There are lots of TV shows which I like. Above all I like watching films, but to name them all would create a pretty long list.

My next holiday destination:

It will certainly be somewhere in the south where it's warm and I can lay on the beach, but I still not sure exactly where I want to go.

Name:

Sebastian Lang

Nationality:

German

Date of Birth:

15. September 1979

Frame Size:

58

Nickname:

Seppel

Domicile:

Erfurt

What I like about my Canyon:

What I like most is the handling. It is sporty and agile and that's just how I like it

My personal impression of the Silence-Lotto Team:

—

My personal aims for 2009:

I'd like to ride a good Tour de France together with the rest of the team. It's also important for me to recapture my former strength in the time-trials.

How I got involved in cycling:

A group of cyclists in my home town Sonnenberg fuelled my enthusiasm to such an extent that I got on my parents nerves until they allowed me to join a cycling club.

My favourite race/highlight of the season:

The World Championship Road Race and the Individual Time-Trial.

The race I dislike most of all:

—

The car I drive:

Mazda 6 Sport Sport Estate

My dream car:

Audi RS6 Avant

My favourite food/drink:

Yeast dumplings and Cappuccino.

My favourite TV show:

A Beautiful Mind

My next holiday destination:

Perhaps I'll spend my holiday on the Spanish mainland, but I'm not absolutely sure yet.

Name:

Jurgen Van Den Broeck

Nationality:

Belgian

Date of Birth:

1. Februar 1983

Frame Size:

56

Nickname:

VDB

Domicile:

Morkhoven

What I like about my Canyon:

The bike sweeps through the corners and catapults the rider up the steepest climbs.

My personal impression of the Silence-Lotto Team:

We have specialists for every type of terrain in our squad and that is something which makes us really strong.

My personal aims for 2009:

It is my main aim to support Cadel in the Tour de France as well as I can.

How I got involved in cycling:

—

My favourite race/highlight of the season:

Without doubt the Giro d'Italia.

The race I dislike most of all:

—

The car I drive:

Audi A5

My dream car:

Audi RS6

My favourite food/drink:

Pasta and Cola Light

My favourite TV show:

—

My next holiday destination:

—

Name:

Mario Aerts

Nationality:

Belgian

Date of Birth:

31. Dezember 1974

Frame Size:

58

Nickname:

—

Domicile:

Molenstede

What I like about my Canyon:

The Ultimate CF Team is a super ride and also light and stiff.

My personal impression of the Silence-Lotto Team:

t is one of the strongest teams in the peloton and has an excellent line-up for all types of races.

My personal aims for 2009:

I'd like to ride a great Tour de France for the team this year.

How I got involved in cycling:

I took my passion for cycling from my dad, who was himself an enthusiastic cyclist.

My favourite race/highlight of the season:

Tour de France

The race I dislike most of all:

Vuelta Ciclista al País Vasco

The car I drive:

Volvo

My dream car:

Audi R8

My favourite food/drink:

Good Italian Pasta and a glass of wine.

My favourite TV show:

In de Gloria

My next holiday destination:

—

Name:

Bart Dockx

Nationality:

Belgian

Date of Birth:

2. September 1981

Frame Size:

54

Nickname:

—

Domicile:

Retie

What I like about my Canyon:

It is simply a superb racing bike. Handling, weight and comfort are all optimally combined.

My personal impression of the Silence-Lotto Team:

The Team is stronger in all areas than it was in 2008.

My personal aims for 2009:

I want to give everything in the period from Brabantse Pijl until the Giro.

How I got involved in cycling:

:I got the idea from a nephew of mine, who was a racing cyclist himself.

My favourite race/highlight of the season:

Brabantse Pijl

The race I dislike most of all:

Tour of Qatar

The car I drive:

Peugeot 307

My dream car:

I don't have one. My Peugeot is for me simply a means of getting from A to B.

My favourite food/drink:

Chips with a dark Leffe beer.

My favourite TV show:

My favourite film is Silence of the Lambs and my favourite TV series is Lost.

My next holiday destination:

Any country where it's sunnier than here in Belgium.

Name:

Christophe Brandt

Nationality:

Belgian

Date of Birth:

6. Mai 1977

Frame Size:

54

Nickname:

Remy

Domicile:

Olne

What I like about my Canyon:

I the like the bike very much. It is both light and stiff but still comfortable.

My personal impression of the Silence-Lotto Team:

Red with grey and just a touch of lilac;)

My personal aims for 2009:

I'd like to make an impression in the Ardennes Classics and the Giro.

How I got involved in cycling:

I started off with a mountain bike and then moved up to racing bikes.

My favourite race/highlight of the season:

Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

The race I dislike most of all:

Paris-Roubaix - but I like watching it on TV.

The car I drive:

Audi Q5

My dream car:

Aston Martin

My favourite food/drink:

Italian cuisine in general.

My favourite TV show:

Pulp Fiction

My next holiday destination:

I hope to take my next holiday on one of the Pacific islands or in Australia.

Name:

Wilfried Cretskens

Nationality:

Belgian

Date of Birth:

10. Juli 1976

Frame Size:

56

Nickname:

Willy

Domicile:

Belgium

What I like about my Canyon:

In a race you can feel how the bike catapults you forward, but you still appreciate the comfort the bike offers after several hours in the saddle.

My personal impression of the Silence-Lotto Team:

The team is one of the strongest in the peloton.

My personal aims for 2009:

Above all I would like to support the captain in whatever race I am competing.

How I got involved in cycling:

I used to go with my dad to many professional races and was immediately hooked.

My favourite race/highlight of the season:

The Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.

The race I dislike most of all:

There isn't a race I really dislike. Every race has its own special charm.

The car I drive:

Form Mondeo Titanium X

My dream car:

Cars are not so important to me.

My favourite food/drink:

Italian food and a good glass of red or white wine.

My favourite TV show:

I like action films such as the Rock or Con Air.

My next holiday destination:

Mexico

Name:

Mickaël Delage

Nationality:

French

Date of Birth:

6. August 1985

Frame Size:

—

Nickname:

Micka

Domicile:

—

What I like about my Canyon:

I like the bike very much. It is a super ride. It is both light and stiff but still comfortable on longer rides.

My personal impression of the Silence-Lotto Team:

—

My personal aims for 2009:

—

How I got involved in cycling:

—

My favourite race/highlight of the season:

Paris Roubaix

The race I dislike most of all:

—

The car I drive:

—

My dream car:

—

My favourite food/drink:

—

My favourite TV show:

—

My next holiday destination:

—

Name:

Gorik Gardeyn

Nationality:

Belgian

Date of Birth:

17. März 1980

Frame Size:

56

Nickname:

Gorki

Domicile:

Egem

What I like about my Canyon:

It is simply great - light, stiff and agile.

My personal impression of the Silence-Lotto Team:

My personal aims for 2009:

I'd like to hit form at exactly the right time.

How I got involved in cycling:

Cycling was my hobby for a very long time. My first ever race was a local time-trial here in my home town.

My favourite race/highlight of the season:

Paris-Roubaix

The race I dislike most of all:

Paris-Roubaix

The car I drive:

Lotus Elise and a Peugeot 406

My dream car:

Fort GT 40

My favourite food/drink:

Grilled fish, rice, fried potatoes and Canada Dry to drink.

My favourite TV show:

Walk the Line and all productions from Woestijnvis, a small Flemish production company.

My next holiday destination:

In the upper Ardennes or by the sea.

Name:

Olivier Kaisen

Nationality:

Belgian

Date of Birth:

30. April 1983

Frame Size:

64

Nickname:

Oli

Domicile:

Noville-sur-Mehaigne

What I like about my Canyon:

It is a light and stiff bike and that is exactly what I like.

My personal impression of the Silence-Lotto Team:

—

My personal aims for 2009:

—

How I got involved in cycling:

My dad is a cyclist and I developed my passion for cycling through him.

My favourite race/highlight of the season:

Tour de Wallonie

The race I dislike most of all:

—

The car I drive:

VW Passat

My dream car:

Audi Q7

My favourite food/drink:

I eat everything.

My favourite TV show:

La Tour Montparnasse Infernale

My next holiday destination:

I think I'll probably be flying to Greece this year.

Name:

Matthew Lloyd

Nationality:

Australian

Date of Birth:

24. Mai 1983

Frame Size:

—

Nickname:

Ghost

Domicile:

Melbourne

What I like about my Canyon:

It is both a light and stiff bike.

My personal impression of the Silence-Lotto Team:

We have many top riders for nearly every race of the season.

My personal aims for 2009:

I'd certainly like to win a few races this year. This year I want to give everything in the Ardennes Classics, the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia.

How I got involved in cycling:

I started riding my racing bike locally as a hobby when I was 22 years old. The feeling of riding fast was so great that I continued training until I finally joined a cycle racing team.

My favourite race/highlight of the season:

I don't yet know what the highlight of my season will be.

The race I dislike most of all:

I like speed and I like racing. There isn't a race I especially don't like.

The car I drive:

I drive an Opel Corsa - I like driving fast, but this car really isn't so fast.

My dream car:

I would like to drive a 1/4 mile dragster.

My favourite food/drink:

I love Thai food and good red wine.

My favourite TV show:

I like watching documentaries about various regions of the world as well as about wildlife on the Discovery Channel.

My next holiday destination:

I'm not quite sure yet where I'll be going next, but I'd like to see the Inca temples in South America at some point.

Name:

Jürgen Roelandts

Nationality:

Belgian

Date of Birth:

2. Juli 1985

Frame Size:

58

Nickname:

JR

Domicile:

Sint-Martens-Bodegem

What I like about my Canyon:

The bike is very agile and manoeuvrable on narrow roads.

My personal impression of the Silence-Lotto Team:

The team is very strong. We have several top-favourites in every race and can operate flexibly.

My personal aims for 2009:

I'd like to win at least one race wearing the jersey of the champion of Belgium.

How I got involved in cycling:

My family is a family of racing cyclists. That is why I became involved in cycle racing from a very early age.

My favourite race/highlight of the season:

Paris-Roubaix is the most important event on the racing calendar for me

The race I dislike most of all:

There isn't a race I really dislike.

The car I drive:

I don't have a car.

My dream car:

Aston Martin

My favourite food/drink:

Pasta and red wine.

My favourite TV show:

Le fabuleux destin d’amelie poulain

My next holiday destination:

Dunnow

Name:

Jonas Ljungblad

Nationality:

Swedish

Date of Birth:

15. Januar 1979

Frame Size:

52

Nickname:

—

Domicile:

Luxembourg

What I like about my Canyon:

It is a nice bike and the overall concept really impressed me. The think I like most is that the bike is both light and stiff.

My personal impression of the Silence-Lotto Team:

It is a strong team with a great deal of potential.

My personal aims for 2009:

—

How I got involved in cycling:

My brother rode a racing bike and got me interested in the sport.

My favourite race/highlight of the season:

Amstel Gold Race

The race I dislike most of all:

I can't really highlight one as they all have their individual allure.

The car I drive:

Audi A4 Quattro

My dream car:

I don't have a dream car, but it must be fast.

My favourite food/drink:

Italian food with a glass of wine.

My favourite TV show:

At the moment I like watching the Danish TV show Klovn.

My next holiday destination:

I don't know yet, but my last holiday was in Sicily and I liked it very much there.

Name:

Pieter Jacobs

Nationality:

Belgian

Date of Birth:

06. Juni 1986

Frame Size:

56

Nickname:

—

Domicile:

Loenhout

What I like about my Canyon:

It's my favourite bike - I rode it for two years when I was with Team Unibet and I am pleased that I now have the chance to ride a Canyon Ultimate CF.

My personal impression of the Silence-Lotto Team:

It's more or less a new beginning for me here and I hope it's also a good one.

My personal aims for 2009:

Above all I want to improve and maybe even get a win. Moreover I'm also aiming for the World Championships in Mendrisio.

How I got involved in cycling:

I took part in races with my friends even when I was a young boy and my dad was also an active racing cyclist.

My favourite race/highlight of the season:

Liege-Bastogne-Liege

The race I dislike most of all:

I dislike the Tour of West Flanders three-day.

The car I drive:

Renault Clio

My dream car:

Lamborghini

My favourite food/drink:

I love eating chips and drinking Cola Light.

My favourite TV show:

My favourite film is Gladiator and my favourite TV show is called Heroes.

My next holiday destination:

—

Name:

Johan Vansummeren

Nationality:

Belgian

Date of Birth:

4. Februar 1981

Frame Size:

64

Nickname:

Summie

Domicile:

Lommel

What I like about my Canyon:

It's a great ride, is both light and stiff.

My personal impression of the Silence-Lotto Team:

—

My personal aims for 2009:

My focus will be on the Spring Classics and the Tour de France.

How I got involved in cycling:

I have just always loved riding a bike…

My favourite race/highlight of the season:

—

The race I dislike most of all:

I dislike the Germany Tour most of all. I wouldn't mind if it disappeared from the racing calendar.

The car I drive:

VW Golf GTI

My dream car:

Nissan GTR, Porsche and Ferrari - I'd really like to have one of those cars in my driveway.

My favourite food/drink:

I eat almost everything. The most important thing for me is that the ingredients are all fresh.

My favourite TV show:

Top Gear

My next holiday destination:

I don't know yet.

Name:

Philippe Gilbert

Nationality:

Belgian

Date of Birth:

5. Juli 1982

Frame Size:

—

Nickname:

Phil

Domicile:

Monaco

What I like about my Canyon:

I feel at home on the bike, even on long rides.

My personal impression of the Silence-Lotto Team:

We have a strong line-up. I think that we will have a big say in many races this season.

My personal aims for 2009:

I'd like to be at the top of the podium in a few one-day races this year.

How I got involved in cycling:

I took part in my first race when I was 15 years old. From then on I just continued training and a few years later I got my first professional contract.

My favourite race/highlight of the season:

Liege-Bastogne-Liege and the World Championship.

The race I dislike most of all:

I don't particularly like the races in the Netherlands.

The car I drive:

I don't have a car.

My dream car:

A Subaru WRC - The performance and road-holding of this car are awesome and it would be really tempting for me to drive this car.

My favourite food/drink:

Pasta and salmon and a Glass of light Leffe beer.

My favourite TV show:

I have no real favourite TV show or film.

My next holiday destination:

I'd like to go to San Remo.

Name:

Roy Sentjens

Nationality:

Belgian

Date of Birth:

15. Dezember 1980

Frame Size:

60

Nickname:

Sanchez

Domicile:

Neerpelt

What I like about my Canyon:

I like the bike very much. It rides really well on cobbled roads, but remains rigid when sprinting.

My personal impression of the Silence-Lotto Team:

It's a strong team. We've got the right specialists for virtually every type of race.

My personal aims for 2009:

I want to give everything and be as successful as possible.

How I got involved in cycling:

My dad introduced me to bike racing, as he took part in races himself.

My favourite race/highlight of the season:

Die The Tour of Flanders.

The race I dislike most of all:

Every race can be a nightmare when your legs hurt.

The car I drive:

BMW X3

My dream car:

Audi R8

My favourite food/drink:

Pasta and a glass of red wine.

My favourite TV show:

Pulp Fiction

My next holiday destination:

I'd like to go to Florida on my next holiday.

Name:

Cadel Evans

Nationality:

Australian

Date of Birth:

14. Februar 1977

Frame Size:

54

Nickname:

—

Domicile:

Barwon Heads in Australia and Stabio in Switzerland.

What I like about my Canyon:

—

My personal impression of the Silence-Lotto Team:

The team gets better every year and 2009 will be no exception.

My personal aims for 2009:

In the 2009 Tour de France I'd just like to go one better than in 2008.

How I got involved in cycling:

I started off mountain biking and later started riding racing bikes. When I was 14 I started exploring the local trails with a few friends.

My favourite race/highlight of the season:

Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Tour of Lombardy and many others.

The race I dislike most of all:

—

The car I drive:

A Mini, a Ford Mustang, Holden Ute and a Lotus Elise.

My dream car:

Mini, Ford Mustang and Lotus.

My favourite food/drink:

I like any kind of Italian food and a glass of Coopers Pale Ale.

My favourite TV show:

The film Snatch and Top gear - that's a really cool British car show.

My next holiday destination:

Perhaps I'll go to Thailand, but I don't know for sure.

Name:

Glenn D’hollander

Nationality:

Belgian

Date of Birth:

28. Dezember 1974

Frame Size:

56

Nickname:

Dolly

Domicile:

Berlare

What I like about my Canyon:

The bag is damn good - above all it handles really well.

My personal impression of the Silence-Lotto Team:

It's a really great bunch of guys and we all get on really well.

My personal aims for 2009:

I want to help the team and its leaders to fulfil their aims.

How I got involved in cycling:

A few friends of mine infected me with the cycling bug.

My favourite race/highlight of the season:

Omloop het Nieuwsblad

The race I dislike most of all:

Hel van het Mergelland

The car I drive:

BMW

My dream car:

BMW M5

My favourite food/drink:

Chips with a delicious Jupiler

My favourite TV show:

24, Lost and Heroes

My next holiday destination:

Italy

Name:

Francis de Greef

Date of Birth:

02. February 1985

Weight:

77 kg

Height:

1,92 m

Professional since:

2008

Nationality:

Belgian

Name:

Michiel Elijzen

Date of Birth:

31. August 1982

Weight:

77 kg

Height:

1,92 m

Professional since:

2006

Nationality:

French

Name:

Leif Hoste

Date of Birth:

17. July 1977

Weight:

79 kg

Height:

1,85 m

Professional since:

1998

Nationality:

Belgian

Name:

Staf Scheirlinckx

Date of Birth:

12. March 1979

Weight:

77 kg

Height:

1,93 m

Professional since:

2000

Nationality:

Belgian

Name:

Greg Van Avermaet

Date of Birth:

17. May 1985

Weight:

74 kg

Height:

1,81 m

Professional since:

2007

Nationality:

Belgian

Name:

Jelle Vanendert

Date of Birth:

19. February 1985

Weight:

63 kg

Height:

1,84 m

Professional since:

2007

Nationality:

Belgian

Name:

Charles Wegelius

Date of Birth:

26/04/1978

Weight:

62 kg

Height:

1,80 m

Professional since:

2000

Nationality:

British