If what you are trying to say is that Shimano didn't have a competitive team in peleton untill 99 that's not what I mean. Or that Shimano wasn't good enough to win a Tour untill 99 also not what I mean. All I'm saying is that it is surpising that it took so long. Shimano drove the inovations in drive train from the mid-80's on. STI has revolutionized road bike drive trains and we have Shimano to thank for that revolution.