Strategy
Strategically, this team is made. Vino's friendship with Ullrich is well documented. They hunt together, Vino held back for him when Ullrich won the WCRR, and Vino came out last year during the TDF and said that even though he was in striking distance of the Yellow, He would ride for Ullrich against Armstrong. And Vino is making a huge bank for this.
Cadel Evans is not going to try for a victory in his first TDF. He'll try for a stage maybe, but he's T-Mobile's man. He really owes them for last year.
Botero came out in Cycling news and said he would try for a stage but he recognizes Ullrich as the team leader. he owes them for last year.
Salvoldelli will probably try for a Giro win and ride mountain tempo in the TDF for Ullrich. Hard to say about this guy. Since T-mobile lost Danilo Hondo, their Giro focus has become blurry.
All T-Mobile has to do is let LA defend the jersey. Make him chase attack after attack. Ullrich has to mark Armstrong and make sure he's there when and if he cracks. Then and only then should Ullrich attack. Under no circumstances should Ullrich make the mistake that Beloki made last year and chase down attacks.
Beloki is going to be a lone ranger this year without the help of that great Once team. The Spanish riders will be divided in loyalty between Mayo and Beloki. Beloki will have to do most of his own work this year and this will work in LA's favor unless Beloki decides to mark LA also and try to beat him in the TT's, not an impossible scenario.
Mayo will be trying to win the mountain TT and put as much time as possible between himself and Lance in the mountains. The final TT will be his undoing. I look for Mayo, Vino, Zubeldia, Botero, and possiby a few others to be the main animators in the mountains.
If LA doesn't take the bait or doesn't crack, and USPS is marking the attacks with Rubiera, Heras, and Beltran, then someone else besides LA and Ullrich should be wearing the yellow jersey after the mountains. If T-mobile can't beat them in the mountains, then it comes down to the TT, and T-mobile is prepared for that. Ullrich and Botero can both match LA.
Last edited by don d.; 11-23-03 at 07:13 PM.