Erik Zabel has been left off the T-mobile TDF roster
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Erik Zabel has been left off the T-mobile TDF roster
Looks like T-mobile is going to focus its efforts on its three GC contenders. Erik didn't make the short list
https://velonews.com/race/int/articles/8218.0.html
https://velonews.com/race/int/articles/8218.0.html
Last edited by squeegy200; 06-16-05 at 03:55 PM. Reason: Erik Zabel's been left off TMobile TDF Roster
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T-Mobile's serious about taking podium. Vino's in great shape and so is Ulle. Kloeden looks to be nearing Tour form. Ullrich's been quoted as saying that the team will ride for whoever looks to have the best chance to win. Their short list has mostly climber domestiques besides the three I mentioned.
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That is too bad. But it has to end somewhere. Zabel has been offered a contract with the team after he finishes as a racer, so will probably stay there. But as one of the class acts of the peloton, I am sorry to see him waning.
One has to wonder whether starting in the Soviet bloc helped or hindered his career.
One has to wonder whether starting in the Soviet bloc helped or hindered his career.
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Telecom is finally getting serious about trying to beat Lance...unfortunately it will be rare to have 1 team competing for multiple categories of a single GrandTour. Various teams will target differen't jerseys
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ok so there are 3 guys that are better then him...but there are 9 spots. why doesn't he still get to race?
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Originally Posted by ChAnMaN
ok so there are 3 guys that are better then him...but there are 9 spots. why doesn't he still get to race?
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Originally Posted by jkoman
Telecom is finally getting serious about trying to beat Lance
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Originally Posted by jkoman
Telecom is finally getting serious about trying to beat Lance
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Zabel is one of the best sprinters when it comes to getting over the high climbs..
Damn.
Damn.
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It's never too late if you win the TDF...and to beat LA would be even better if someone were to be so lucky and talented
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That is a bummer, but he should not have been on that team in the first place IMHO. Other sprinters have teams dedicated just to the sprinters. (ie Petacchi, Boonan, McEwen, and O'Grady) Lately, Zabel has not had the lead outs that he did 3 or 4 years ago because T mobile is trying to be a GC team instead of supporting Zabel.
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Telekom have been hedging their bets for too long and with Zabel now past his prime, there is no sensible reason to continue to do so. Having two or three GC contenders on a team can be a blessing or a curse, as well................. a strong Directeur Sportif is essential.
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Originally Posted by jitteringjr
That is a bummer, but he should not have been on that team in the first place IMHO. Other sprinters have teams dedicated just to the sprinters. (ie Petacchi, Boonan, McEwen, and O'Grady) Lately, Zabel has not had the lead outs that he did 3 or 4 years ago because T mobile is trying to be a GC team instead of supporting Zabel.
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Originally Posted by Flaneur
............ a strong Directeur Sportif is essential.
For instance, Jan never shows up for team bike fittings. T-Mobile last year leased the Audi wind tunnel to design and tune their TT bikes. Jan didn't show up. Did his own fitting on his own time on his own bike.
Another reason that last Director resigned.
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Two man race for the maillot vert? Boonen and McEwen. Who else can contend?
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Originally Posted by gcasillo
Two man race for the maillot vert? Boonen and McEwen. Who else can contend?
Julian Dean
Robbie Hunter? he's no slouch just needs to come into his own.
Marty
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There was speculation that he may be with Gerolsteiner next year. I find Erik's persistent placings in the last two years despite not having a dedicated sprinters team like Fasso Bartolo, yet he is still in the bunch sprint at the end of each race.
Vino as well has been in negotiations.
Vino as well has been in negotiations.
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Originally Posted by lotek
Thor?
Julian Dean
Robbie Hunter? he's no slouch just needs to come into his own.
Marty
Julian Dean
Robbie Hunter? he's no slouch just needs to come into his own.
Marty
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Originally Posted by gcasillo
Two man race for the maillot vert? Boonen and McEwen. Who else can contend?
What about Petacchi? Didn't he abandon last year as the points leader? If he can keep up in the mountain stages, he should be a contender. Also, Di Luca is on fire this year. I don't think he can beat Robbie, but I do think he will help make things interesting.
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Originally Posted by gcasillo
I've read somewhere that Petacchi isn't doing the Tour this year.