The Week That Was(n't The Tour de France)
By Ian Melvin
Jul 12, 2004, 23:04

With the announcement last month that the Discovery Channel will be taking over the title sponsorship from the US Postal Service, Director Sportif Johan Bruyneel has been busy trying to strengthen his squad with a view to meeting the requirements of the new UCI Pro Tour that requires all teams to compete in the Tours of France, Italy and Spain.  One reported target is Landbouwkrediet-Colnago rider Yaroslav Popovych.  The Ukrainian finished third in last year’s Giro d’Italia.  “I’ve discussed it with him but it hasn’t gone any farther than that,” commented Bruyneel.  The team presently only have four riders under contract for 2005.  Team leader Lance Armstrong is not one of these so far but it is expected that this will be completed shortly after the Tour finishes.  According to De Telegraaf, one of Armstrong’s key lieutenants, Floyd Landis, may be on his way to join former Postie, Tyler Hamilton, at Team Phonak.  The new Discovery Channel team is thought to be lining up Rabobank’s Levi Leipheimer as a replacement.

As his legal teams continue to pursue the authors and publishers of ‘LA Confidential’, Lance Armstrong faces another legal battle.

As his legal teams continue to pursue the authors and publishers of ‘LA Confidential’, Lance Armstrong faces another legal battle, this time against him.  Domina Vacanze rider Pippo Simeoni confirmed that he is pressing ahead with plans to sue Armstrong for defamation of character for comments made by the American about Simeoni after he testified against Dr Michele Ferrari.  “My lawsuit for defamation against Lance Armstrong is going forward,” said the Italian.  “(Armstrong) publicly insulted me and took advantage of his media power.  That really bothered me so I’m seeking legal recourse for this.”

Ex-Kelme rider, Jesus Manzano (Amore e Vita), was thought to be missing in action last week as his new team manager, Ivano Fanini, admitted he was, “very worried about the state of Jesus Manzano.  After the team presentation at the end of March and after being questioned by the district attorney’s office in Turin, Manzano has gradually ceased being in touch with our team.”  Spanish daily Marca reported that Manzano was in fact in a clinic to treat depression following the publicity generated from his allegations of drug use whilst with his former Spanish employers.

The Europa Press later reported that Manzano was indeed well and had been away, dodging the throngs of press who waited daily to interview the rider at the centre of the Kelme doping allegations.  It added that Manzano had indeed visited a clinic but it was not for depression, his girlfriend, Marina, is pregnant with their first child.

Although I know I promised no Tour talk for the next few weeks, I couldn’t resist revisiting a moment of poetic beauty from Italian climber, Gilberto Simoni.  After finishing behind the leading five riders from his Saeco team in the Team Time Trial, Simoni lashed out after finding himself over three minutes behind the race favourites because of the new race rulings. “I came here to win the race but my morale is in my boots.  I’ve never liked the Tour anyway.  I feel really bad. I just want to go home.”  Is this the attitude of a champion?  A potential Tour winner?  Could you imagine Armstrong or Ullrich reacting like this?  Maybe they’re just the desperate words of a desperate champion, beaten in his home tour by a younger team mate and now for a second year running, realizing that he doesn’t have the form to compete with the very best stage race riders in the world outside his own country.

Here's a tip for you: Speedplay is running a contest where you can win a pair of Speedplay Zero pedals that were used by Team Phonak's Tyler Hamilton in this year's Tour. Click here to enter the contest and be sure to enter "Roadcycling.com" in the "How did you hear about this contest?" part of the contest entry form.

Till next week, enjoy the Tour de France on Roadcycling.com.

Ian

ian@roadcycling.com