squeegy200

Great article in Velonews about the new Director Sportiv ranting about Salvodelli's performance in the Giro. He was frustrated with his two years while he was at T-mobile. But the Velonews article also highlights numerous other athletes whos careers were excellent except when employed by the German team. Unlike CSC, Phonak, or Discovery where individuals seems to reach their potential, Jan Ullrichs best performance in the TDF in recent years seems to have been with Bianchi.

Now I'm reading an article in Cyclingnews where Vinokourov is talking about his quest to win the Tour De France. He's running out of time in his career and he wants to stand on the podium in the Yellow Jersey. He spoke specifically about denying Lance Armstrong another Yellow Jersey.

Here is an awesome team with no less than three riders capable of winning the TDF and a Sprinter capable of winning the green Jersey. So who works for whom? Are they a flat stage team working for the green or a GC team supporting the climbers?

I am confused with this team strategy. (Or lack of decisive team leadership)

Bob Gabele

Hell, this isn't the first time we've seen this in any number of sports.

I agree with you about Vino. He's ready. He has to share things with Ullrich though and that will cause "interesting" conflicts. Ullrich is on record for saying that Lance is what keeps him motivated and as long as Lance is in there, Jan wants to compete. How can you deny that desire?

It reminds me of Lemond and Hinault, both on the same team, back in the '80's. After one year of frustration, Lemond finally was afforded his time in the limelight, simply because he was the best man when the time came.

The same thing will happen with Vino and Jan. When the time comes, and if they are in contention, the best man will rise to the top. TMobile is a very talented team...

Laggard

It's the same situation as the Simoni-Cunego duo. Let 'em be co-leaders and see who's riding better.

oneradtec

Vino will be a very very dangerous man in this year's TDF!

squeegy200

I agree.

Was interesting to see Kloden and Ullrich last year. There was one stage where I thought if they worked together, One of them would have won. However, neither worked for the other because they were both in fine form. So they both individually attacked.

They both lost.

Vino, Jan, and Andreas are amazing individual riders singlehandedly challenging teams like Discovery. They'll still do well without the team support. But I doubt they'll win overall without it. In the same fashion--If Zabel was on a squad like Fassa, I'm confident he would be winning more often too. What amazes me is his individual talent gets him into position but without all of the team helpers. The other 8 teammates of Fassa Bartolo train put's Petachi where he should be and Zabel (Without TMobile support) is left to continually come in second.

Jakey

The only person that will beat Jan this year is Lance. In fact, I hope Jan wins... I'd like to see Lance, Jan, Vino and Basso battling it out right through the final TT...

roadgator

youde think the mutal desire to unseat lance would compel these guys to work together. if they truely cooperated, a t-mobile podium sweep isnt out of the question, especialy considering lance's form so far this year.

lotek 

And that is the key statement here folks.
I don't think Vino will be all that cooperative, he does like to go out
on his own. Kloden has said he will work for Jan this year.
I agree this is going to be a repeat of the Hinault/Lemond power
struggle, only someone else (not necessarily Lance) will take
the top step.

just my 2 centimes worth

JungleCat

I don't think this is even remotely possible. First, it takes so much sacrifice in the GC by other team members to get one of their own on the podium. Second, Kloden is a good time trialist but I haven't seen enough to think he's got enough to knock Armstrong off the podium. Third, remember when Vino and Ullrich were on the podium in 2003, they were on separate teams.

I doubt anyone can attest to what Armstrong's true form is. Remember last year when he got his clock cleaned on Ventoux during the Dauphine, everyone thought Mayo had sealed up the TDF as well. That said, I sure hope Jan makes a good run at it for a dramatic tour.

Keith99

Getting all 3 podium spots is pretty tough. As Best I can remember only one team has come close and they might just have done it if they could have co-operated. And this year does not look like a good one for that. The one who beats Lance will be remembered. If Lance finishes out of the money who will remember who was second?