squeegy200

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

Guest

Man, that's terrible! I am so used to hearing his name at the Tour that it's going to be strange not hearing his name being screamed in the final sprint. Too bad for Zabel.

Koffee

sh_wn

That's rough... I'll bet he's not happy...

sh_wn

I wonder if there's some internal problems...

jbonus

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.

gmason

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.

jkoman

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

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?

kubla khan

Supposedly because he is not as good in the mountains and not a fast enough team time trialist. I call bullshỉt on all this though.

gmason

T-Mobile, however, seems to have two people trying for the GC. Vino says he will go for it regardless of Ullrich's attempts. Ullrich has actually said that if Vino is stronger, he will support Vino. That almost sounds like Ullrich has already set up to avoid making excuses later by making them before. That would be different.

ChAnMaN

It's alittle late for that now isn't it?. Last year was the year to beat lance, this year it wont matter if he wins or loses.

Smoothie104

Zabel is one of the best sprinters when it comes to getting over the high climbs..

Damn.

jkoman

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

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.

Flaneur

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.

squeegy200

I agree.

squeegy200

This has always been a problem there. These guys have their own individual programs and their own trainers. None of them work together.

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.

gcasillo

Two man race for the maillot vert? Boonen and McEwen. Who else can contend?

lotek 

Thor?
Julian Dean
Robbie Hunter? he's no slouch just needs to come into his own.

Marty

squeegy200

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.

gcasillo

Yeah, Thor. He's only one of my favorites. Hunter's capable of notching a couple of stages too. He's had a real nice season so far for a real nice Phonak squad. I'd like to see O'Grady mix it up too.

jitteringjr

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.

gcasillo

I've read somewhere that Petacchi isn't doing the Tour this year.

jitteringjr

You happen to remember where you read that? I did a simple browse looking for that kind of info before I posted it, but didn't find anything.

Laggard

I also read that Peta won't be attending. Something about resting up for the worlds.