Mitsubishi-Jartazi gathered in Waregem (Belgium) for the first time yesterday. Although the training ride was shortened because of heavy showers a satisfied sports director Jef Braeckevelt  saw that Frank Vandenbroucke (VDB) worked hard this winter. Vandenbroucke cracked all of his teammates at the Tiegemberg (10%).

Vandenbroucke feels very well with Mitsubishi-Jartazi. The winner of the 1999  edition of Liège-Bastogne-Liège will start his season with the French opener 'La Marseillaise' in France.

Former team mate Chris Peers attended at the Mitsubishi-Jartazi gathering as well. Vandenbroucke told the Sunday edition of Belgian daily newspaper 'Het Nieuwsblad': "I am glad to be re-united with Chris here." Vandenbroucke continued by saying: He was there for me in good- and bad times." An optimistic Vandenbroucke said: "For the first time in three years I had a winter free of sorrow without illnes and injuries."

Tomorrow the Mitsubishi-Jartazi riders will travel to the south of France for a training camp in Brassargues. The training camp will end at January 16.

Yohan Cauquil, Vytautas Kaupas, Sven Nevens, Maxime Vantomme, Grégory Habeaux and James Vanlandschoot will leave the training camp three days earlier. These riders will travel to Gabon to race the La Tropicala Amissa Bongo. Dutch rider Jens Mouris will arrive a few days later. Mouris is racing with Niki Terpstra (Milram) at the Rotterdam Six Days.