Tom wrote:>> The Tour de France. Telekom is committed to getting the win for Jan.>> If they were smart, they'd leave Zabel at home for the Tour and>> completely concentrate on Jan. That would stink, but that's what> they>> should do instead of trying to get stage wins for Zabel. Get another>> mountain support rider in there to help out old Jan in the high>> mountains.>>
Tom
I'm not sure that they have enough faith in Jan to put everything into> his lap. I'm not sure they're willing to go take that risk of Jan> breaking again. At least with Wesseman and Zabel around they have some> damage control available if they need it.
Zabel's last stage win was 2002. He isn't a player there or in the Points competition. Part of managing your career as you age is focusing on the races where you can make a difference. JaJa and Museeuw are great examples of this. Ekimov too, with respect to the Tour. He has a defined role in the team, and he is fits that role for Discovery better than Zabel is likely to fit any role for T-Mobile.
There are great races in the fall. I'd give Zabel July off.
Judging from their performances, Ullrich was there to fall back on in case Zabel had an off year
"Bill C" <tritonrider@aol.com> a écrit dans le message de news:1116531653.511899.119310@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...>
Tom wrote:> > The Tour de France. Telekom is committed to getting the win for Jan.> > If they were smart, they'd leave Zabel at home for the Tour and> > completely concentrate on Jan. That would stink, but that's what> they> > should do instead of trying to get stage wins for Zabel. Get another> > mountain support rider in there to help out old Jan in the high> > mountains.> >
I'm not sure that they have enough faith in Jan to put everything into> his lap. I'm not sure they're willing to go take that risk of Jan> breaking again. At least with Wesseman and Zabel around they have some> damage control available if they need it. I agree that he needs more> help in the mountains but given Jan's climbing style I'm not sure that> it would really help him. What he has trouble with are the quick> attacks and changes in pace. I don't think T-Mobil can put together a> strong enough squad to keep the pace high enough to limit these. Jan's> just going to have to be able to hurt the others by going longer at his> pace, if not he's screwed near the tops of the climbs again when> someone has a little left to go.> I think that they are really close to the end as a major player unless> they find a way to retool with good young riders, and I'm not sure how> their budget is these days. If he's really in shape this should be a> good year for him, maybe the last good one. Teams and racers have been> really agressive and I think that could play right into his strength by> keeping the pace high for long periods.> Either way we're getting to watch some really great racers wind down> the ir careers. I'm really enjoying this season.> Bill C>
The Tour de France. Telekom is committed to getting the win for Jan.>>If they were smart, they'd leave Zabel at home for the Tour and>>completely concentrate on Jan. That would stink, but that's what>
they>
should do instead of trying to get stage wins for Zabel. Get another>>mountain support rider in there to help out old Jan in the high>>mountains.>
Dumbass ->
In past years, 1 extra rider for Jan would have made zero difference.>
In the meantime, in past years, Zabel was the UCI #1 rider.>
thanks,>
K. Gringioni.>
Totally agree.
Hopefully, they will not listen to Kloden's whineing, and Zabel will ride the Tour this year.
