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29 June 2005

30 June News ...

Tour de France Provides Security for Lance Armstrong

For the fourth consecutive year the Tour de France organization will provide a security detail for Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel). The Texan will benefit from the constant protection of two civil employees of the French police. The police are set to cover his moves from hotel to the stage departure, and then from the stage arrival and back to the hotel. It is security that is needed for Armstrong, who is a world-wide mega-star.

Tour Challengers, The Dust Devil's Inside Look

The Dust Devil is back and he is putting the odds on all the Tour de France favorites. Here's a comprehensive look at how the competition stacks up for this year's bid to dethrone Lance Armstrong. The Dust Devil rates each man's skills (from 1 to 10, 10 being the best) in each of the key disciplines required for victory. The final odds, according to the Dust Devil, are given for each of the riders' chances for overall victory in Paris. It is all here, from Armstrong to Ullrich, and from Evans to Heras, take a look. Read more: Tour Challengers, The Dust Devil's Inside Look

Floyd Landis Believes Phonak Has Several Options

Floyd Landis believes Phonak has several options to play this year in the Tour de France. No-Fuss Landis is realistic and he plays down his chances of an overall victory. But many are marking him as a possible 2005 winner.

Checking in with Phonak, Landis had this to say: "It's every rider's dream to win the Tour de France - mine as well. Victory this year will probably go to Lance Armstrong again. Actually, I came to Phonak as a helper. Now I'm one of the leaders. ... We trained two weeks on Tour de France routes. We know that the second part of the course will be very difficult. But our Phonak team has a lot of good riders. Therefore, we have several options for a top result."

Liquigas-Bianchi: Tour de France Plans and a New Yellow Bianchi

There are three days to the start of the 92nd Tour de France and the Italian team, Liquigas-Bianchi, are ready. They are bringing a solid line up that will figure in stage wins. Stefano Garzelli had this to add: "It is difficult for me to indicate a precise objective for the Tour. I will not be able to aim for the general classification, because there are athletes that have been working strictly for this race, while I arrive after not finishing the Giro d'Italia. I will perfect my condition during the first stages and hope to be competitive in the last 8-9 days."

Franco Pellizotti would be happy with a stage win, he added: "If I win a stage it will be a beautiful Tour. If then I am able to apply myself well in the general classification, even better! The presence of Garzelli gives me tranquility, we will be able to give each other a hand."

Finally, before departing to France, the Italian team was presented with a set of new bikes. Bianchi, long time classic frame maker, presented the team with new Tour de France inspired frames. Each Italian bike now has a touch of yellow to inspire the squadra.

Quick-Step Name Their Nine for the 2005 Tour de France

Quick-Step Innergetic have named their nine riders for the upcoming 2005 Tour de France. It is a team of fast-men combined with overall hopeful, Michael Rogers. Rogers proved his form in the recent Tour de Suisse and will be a threat. Tom Boonen will be lead out by a group of tough-men, who will die to get Boonen to the line first. Be on the look out for Boonen to get a few stages and the green jersey. Here are the nine: Tom Boonen, Michael Rogers, Patrik Sinkewitz, Wilfried Cretskens, Kevin Hulsmans, Servais Knaven, Bram Tankink, Guido Trenti, Stefano Zanini. (D.S. Wilfried Peeters, Luca Guercilena)

Smart Money Goes On 6X Tour Champion, Lance Armstrong

Still confused on how much to bet and where to put your savings. Here are the odds for you, to help with betting against your friends. Smart money is with 6X winner, Lance Armstrong, at 1 to 1.25. However, playing your money safe returns a small pay out, bet on a long-shot and maybe win big money. Put your savings on Vino and watch it gain ten fold, if he wins.

The Odds:
Armstrong Lance - 1:1.25
Ullrich Jan - 1:5
Basso Ivan - 1:9
Vinokourov Alexandre - 1:10
Mayo D. Iban - 1:20
Klöden Andreas - 1:28
Botero Santiago - 1:30
Leipheimer Levi - 1:55
Heras Roberto - 1:60

Erik Zabel Maybe Upset With T-Mobile

Erik Zabel might be upset with T-Mobile, and indirectly Jan Ullrich. The T-Mobile sprint stallion was left off the 92nd Tour de France team this year. Zabel has been a long time fixture in the green jersey competition, and has always come through with wins and UCI points. Zabel, reported by Bild, had some hard words for his team, "I would have not prevented the victory of Jan Ullrich ... If I finish second or third, it is a loss. Other German cyclists are celebrated for it." The Fast-man does not clarify the names of the other German cyclists.

Checking in with T-Mobile, Zabel had this to say about watching the Grande Boucle on TV: "If a sprint stage heads into the critical last five kilometers and my heart is pumping at 160 - then I will probably switch off the TV." Zabel is always good humored, but is not saying his future is with T-Mobile. "I have a good offer from Olaf Ludwig [of T-Mobile]. I hope that we can reach a solution that suits both parties. It is also good that I have four weeks to think about it." BiciRace.com wishes Erik Zabel luck, he is a true champion.

Walter Godefroot Happy With Jan Ullrich

T-Mobile Man, Walter Godefroot, is happy with Jan Ullrich's condition. "Jan Ullrich is much improved over the last years ... everyone around Ullrich is full of enthusiasm," Godefroot noted. Ullrich was on super form in the Tour de Suisse, finishing on the podium. Godefroot attributes the 1997 Tour champion's training, "Training has been long and uninterrupted."

92nd Tour de France:
Startlist, Classifications, Tour Challengers, Discovery Channel Profile
Key Stages, Key Stage Descriptions, Stages and Maps, Overall Map

28 June News ...