BiciRace.com :: 2006 Eindhoven Team Time Trial

2006 Eindhoven Team Time Trial, Preview

Eindhoven Team Time Trial, Netherlands

18 June, 51K

TTT and the ProTour

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2005 Winners: Gerolsteiner, photo: Capture-The-Peloton.com

Team time trials are on paper usually one of the more exciting stages to see in a stage race. The sight of a squad replete with matching skin suits, shoe covers and aero helmets hammering in perfect unison across the countryside in a team time trial is one of the most inspiring images of cycling.

On paper, the Eindhoven Team Time Trial should be one of the more interesting events on the calendar. After all, it is the only stand alone team time trial competition in the ProTour. Unfortunately, last year's debut didn't make quite the impact the organizers had hoped for. The problem was most teams took their "B" squads and left their aces at home to train for the Tour de France.

Eindhoven, Holland will again play host to cycling's elite for the 2nd edition this event. Joining the 20 ProTour teams will be wild card invitees, Skil-Shimano and Unibet.com.

Gerolsteiner won the inaugural running last year, but don't bet on the boys in blue to repeat the win. Team CSC is packing their roster with some big time TT guns in the form of Basso, Zabriskie, Julich, O'Grady and Luke Roberts. Discovery Channel, as you might expect, will present the most likely threat to the Danish squadra. Lining up for Discovery are Hincapie, Popovych, Ekimov and Hoste, among others.

In a departure from last year's setup, race organizers have this year opted for an eight-man team instead of six. This should help to closer replicate the TTT of a Grand Tour, which uses a nine-man formation. The net result will be higher speeds and hopefully a more attractive event.

Stay tuned to BiciRace.com for post race results and analysis.
- Paco