Road Bike Racing - Ullrich and Zabel back together

Now that these two are back together on Telekom, I'm hoping to see this at next year's TdF:

Well you can bet the farm that Jan isn't gonna be a "Stoker". :D

Telecom needs to make a choice in order to win the tour.

Green jersey or yellow? They spread themselves too thin and a focused team with equal talent and a single goal will beat them.

But they will shoot for points with Zabel and also try and support Jan. this will spell failure for the yellow.

this will spell failure for the yellow.

well its worked ok in the past
they did win yellow that way once.

T-Mobile is definitely the favorite in the Tandem Team Time Trail :D

Zabel has always been one of the most unsupported sprinters in the TDF. In the past, he has even publicly complained about this.

Ok, imagine this: these two on a tandem (not like the one pictured, but rather a high-end road tandem with aero bars) versus Lance and Eki on the same in a 60K TT. I'd pay to see that.

Was Zabel with Telekom when Ullrich won the TdF?

well its worked ok in the past
they did win yellow that way once.


Were the teams they raced against as strong as Postal is now? Doubtful.

Were the teams they raced against as strong as Postal is now? Doubtful.

It would be even easier for them now, as they can let Postal control the race. Ullrich doesn't really need much support (besides the TTT) if LA is going for the GC, as Postal will be controlling everything. He can just get a free ride.

It would be even easier for them now, as they can let Postal control the race. Ullrich doesn't really need much support (besides the TTT) if LA is going for the GC, as Postal will be controlling everything. He can just get a free ride.

Bruyneel will be wise to this tactic since it is the same one he has used against Telecom in previous tours.

Of course I think Lance will lose the next tour anyway so it is really no big deal to me.

Bruyneel will be wise to this tactic since it is the same one he has used against Telecom in previous tours.

Of course I think Lance will lose the next tour anyway so it is really no big deal to me.

If you don't think Lance is going to win, and think Ullrich wont win because of his team, who will? Ullrich is obviously as talented as anyone (unless LA is in form, but only LA) I dont see who has a stronger team than those two.
I dont know if Zabel will get all too much support. It looks like he has generally been on his own in sprints, when compared to most sprinters and their teams.

Was Zabel with Telekom when Ullrich won the TdF?

Zabel won the Green Jersey and three stages of the 97' TDF on Telekom. He will have a great leadout man with Fagnini this year and probably Hundertmark and Kessler. He should be ok. Let's see, Ullrich, Zabel, Fagnini, Kessler, Vino, Botero, Evans, Salvoldelli, and probably Hundertmark. That's nine.

If you don't think Lance is going to win, and think Ullrich wont win because of his team, who will? Ullrich is obviously as talented as anyone (unless LA is in form, but only LA) I dont see who has a stronger team than those two.
I dont know if Zabel will get all too much support. It looks like he has generally been on his own in sprints, when compared to most sprinters and their teams.

I honestly think Beloki and Hamilton want it bad enough they might just pull off a win. Beloki's form was excellent in 2003 so I hope it is better for 2004.

I too remain watchful of Beloki. I was disappointed when he hit the pavement because he was doing so well. He emerged a contender to be reckoned with, and hopefully will be again this coming year.