JuanMotr - Well, I'll give him glory, then

tovhol - Thanks!

sutty68 - It wasn't easy, but we made it, thanks

Jesleyh - Luckily it were their first races of the season, but I'm extremely happy about this result! Thank you.

Atlantius - Ventoso was just too overwhelming in the first two stages

rogi97 - Thanks

FreitasPCM - They have to, now!

Jakstar22 - He really did. He's growing stronger and stronger!

PCM rulezz - Thanks a lot! We were lucky to have had San Luis in the legs already, but we're very happy about the result nevertheless

Stromeon - Usually I stick with Qatar and the two French races, but this time I went for Mallorca. You're definitely right, those two races really make for exciting racing!

Stijn Van Gent and Willy Wouters are the two new names on the scene. They are both young, 22 to be exact, and we look at them as the future of Belgian cycling. In the Belgians constant attempt to find new heroes to look out for, many believe they have found a new Tom Boonen, a new Lucien Van Impe, a new Eddy Merckx. They are like brothers, both on and off the bike. Today we have both of them for an interview.

Stijn, Willy, thanks for welcoming us into your home here in the Netherlands. Let's start at the beginning. Last season we saw you at Lotto Belisol, now you're at new Pro Tour team, Argos - Shimano. What was the reason for changing contract?
Willy: The reason was a question of morality. Last year there's been an episode, a matter of whereabouts. I'd rather not talk about it, but the team didn't give me the support I deserved, and therefor I decided to leave.

And, of course, where Willy goes, Stijn goes, right?
Stijn: That's right. We've known each other for ever, and some things are more important than cycling. And I have to say I haven't regretted it so far.

Team Argos - Shimano is a Dutch cycling team. How did you experience the move from Belgium?
Stijn: Upon signing the contract, they assured us we could remain housed in Belgium. But we wanted to show a gesture of commitment. So we rented this house together.
Willy: Cycling is a team sport. We wanted to fit in with the team and get to know our colleagues. Besides, the Netherlands are an amazing country, and we both feel perfectly happy here.

Let's get to business, then. Stijn, you started the season in San Luis, directly over-classing Hushovd in a sprint finish. That shows a lot of class. Are you Belgium's new Boonen?
Stijn: [laughs] Well, that's a tricky question. Tom Boonen finished 3th in Roubaix at the age of 21, I didn't do that yet. I hope I can get a few top 10 places this year. But yeah, I'm his type of rider. If I share his talent, that's something to be seen in the future.

You're making a name for yourself in Belgium, and that's getting people's hopes up. How do you handle the pressure?
Stijn: I think... I think it's a good thing I moved to the Netherlands. I realize I'm getting myself noticed with my recent results, but I can perform best if I'm without any pressure. Here at Argos, they're coaching me perfectly. I can go my own way in the cobbled classics, but there's no pressure. I've been given the time to develop.

Does that mean a longer contract for the future?
Stijn: I couldn't really say anything about that. For now, a contract is a contract, and I'll just be trying my best all throughout the season.

Willy, you've known some bad luck in your career already, but you, too, have been building a positive name in the Belgian household families over the last couple of months.
Willy: I don't worry about it. Every young Belgium cyclist goes through that. People are always looking for new heroes to enter the scene. I'm not thinking about that. I'm just doing my job.

I've heard people say Lucien Van Impe...
Willy: And I've heard people say Popovych. Like I've said, I'm just doing what I can. Van Impe was one of the greatest climbers of all times, I'm not him. I'm a whole other type. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to be Van Impe, or any great Belgian cyclist, but I'm going to have to go my own way about it.

Willy Wouters, a household name?
Willy: [laughs] something like that. But that's way in the future, if it's even going to happen at all. But, you know, that's typical Belgian cycling fans, they're always overreacting. I guess that's also the beauty of it.

Your recent win in Mallorca was big news here in Belgium. For the first time, Sporza decided to air the final race. We saw you countering Schleck, holding down Gilbert... How did you do it?
Willy: Firstly, I didn't do it alone. The entire team was there. It was mostly a matter of form. But I have high hopes for the future, and I hope to be fighting for a Grand Tour win, one day.

You race a lot together, doesn't it restrict you in your careers, being so different types?
Stijn: Not at all. We're complementary, we don't get in each other's ways [laughs]
Willy: I think it's a perfect combination. I can lead him out in the sprint, and he can keep the head of the pack a very long time in working position.

So what's next for you two?
Willy: We'll both be racing at Oman. Then I'll be targeting my big goal of the season: Tour de France. Of course, in the mean time we'll be racing at Tirreno - Adriatico and other races.
Stijn: This season is special for me. I'll be leading the cobbled classics, starting in Milan - San Remo, and I'll be going to the Tour, for the first time.

Will we see Van Gent or Wouters winning a stage in the Tour?
Stijn: Well, never say never, but it'll be our first Tour. I'll be leading out Marcel Kittel.

One final question, who are your favorite all-time cyclists?
Stijn: Tom Boonen, I respect him so much. Besides that... [thinks] Monseré, Leman... Rik Van Steenbergen. I almost feel obliged to say Eddy Merckx. [laughs]
Willy: Van Impe, Jiménez, Bahamontes, Indurain, Coppi. I can go on forever like this. [laughs]

Thank you very much for this interview. We hope to hear a lot from you this season!

the Netherlands are an amazing country