Speaking
with the Europa press last week, Basque rider Iban Mayo said that despite recent
speculation, there have still not yet been any approaches from other teams for
his services in the 2005 season. "If there were offers we (Euskaltel-Euskadi)
would listen to them," said Mayo. "If
there are other teams willing to negotiate we will see what happens. But
listening does not mean anything." Since the departure of David
Etxebarria from the Basque team, Mayo’s position has seemed increasingly
uncertain. The stumbling block for any prospective employer is likely to be
the reported 900,000 Euro buyout clause in Mayo’s
contract.
Following
a disappointing 2004, former World Champion, Mario Cipollini, has signed a
one-year contract with the new Liquigas team. In a final attempt to leave
the sport on his terms, the 37 year-old will ride alongside fellow country-men
Stefano Garzelli, David Dario Cioni and Franco Pellizotti. Cipollini has
failed to win a major race since he won his 42nd and record breaking Giro stage
last year. This season has seen the Lion King drop outside the top 600
ranking riders in the world following a bust-up with his Domina Vacanze team,
management and riders.
Whilst at
the official Tour de France presentation last week, Discovery Channel Director
Sportif, Johan Bruyneel, used the opportunity to announce the teams 26th rider
for 2005 Fumiyuki Beppu from Japan. Bruyneel
explained that the team’s new sponsor is increasing its profile within the
Japanese market and that the former U23 Japanese road champion was the best
rider available. Beppu has riden for leading French amateur team VC La
Pomme Marseille for the past two seasons.
The new
French Bouygues Telecom team announced its roster for the 2005 season.
Director Sportif, Jean-Rene Bernaudeau explained that his new 26 rider squad
aims to promote and focus on the young talent within the French
peloton. "At the Pro Tour, we
will have to match the best teams. But our goal is to prove that the French
are as good as anybody else.”2004 Tour de France revelation, Thomas
Voeckler, and France’s
leading rider in the UCI classification, Jerome Pineau, are both signed to ride
for the team.
The
complete Bouygues Telecom line-up is: Walter Bénéteau, Giovanni Bernaudeau,
Olivier Bonnaire, Franck Bouyer, Laurent Brochard, Anthony Charteau, Sébastien
Chavanel, Mathieu Claude, Pierre Drancourt, Pierrick Fédrigo, Yohann Gene,
Anthony Geslin, Maryan Hary, Christophe Kern, Laurent Lefèvre, Frédéric
Mainguenaud, Rony Martias, Alexandre Naulleau, Mickaël Pichon, Jérôme Pineau,
Anthony Ravard, Franck Renier, Didier Rous, Mathieu Sprick and Thomas Voeckler
(all French), Unai Yus (Spanish).
Another
team finalising its 2005 line-up is the Danish Team CSC. Bjarne Riis last
week said that, "I am very pleased with
the team we are now able to present as the Team CSC 2005." Riis added that
"It's a strong and diverse team, tailor
made for the Pro Tour. A lot of work has gone into selecting each rider on the
team, and there are no coincidences among these 25 riders. I know we can achieve
good results through the entire season with this team. This year has been
a turning point for us, and we have shown, we belong among the absolute best in
the world. We have every reason to be proud of what we have achieved so far. We
came very close to finishing the season as number one in the world rankings, and
this is thanks to our ability to put together a team, which is able to work
together and perform at a high level for the whole season in all kinds of
races...We possess the potential to win both the classics and the greatest race
in the world - the Tour de France in the coming seasons." Riis also
said that he was still negotiating with another co-sponsor and said that he
hoped that the team would be able to increase its budget and further improve the
team.
Team CSC
will line-up next year without German rider, Jorg Jaksche. The former ONCE
rider has left the team to join former Director Sportif, Manolo Saiz, at Liberty
Seguros. Riis explained that, “In
order to gain some space in our budget we have chosen to let Jörg sign for
Liberty Seguros.
He has had a super season with us, and that has made him attractive to a lot of
other teams. It was a necessary decision.”
The full
CSC line-up is: Ivan Basso (Ita), Carlos Sastre (Spa), Jens Voigt (Ger), Bobby
Julich (USA), Michele Bartoli (Ita), Jakob Piil (Den), Kurt-Asle Arvesen (Nor),
Frank Schleck (Lux), Andrea Peron (Ita), Fabrizio Guidi (Ita), Nicki Sørensen
(Den), Lars Michaelsen (Den), Tristan Hoffman (Ned), Peter Luttenberger (Aut),
Michael Blaudzun (Den), Manuel Calvente (Spa), Thomas Bruun Eriksen (Den),
Vladimir Gussev (Rus), Brian Vandborg (Den), Christian Vandevelde (USA - Liberty
Seguros), David Zabriskie (USA - US Postal), Lars Bak (Den - BankGiroLoterij),
Giovanni Lombardi (Ita - Domina Vacanze), Matti Breschel (Den - neo-pro), Andy
Schleck (Lux – neo pro).
Think you
have what it takes to make it as a Pro? Former Team Saturn rider, Rahsaan
Bahati, is putting the finishing touches to a brand new professional team and is
accepting resumes from all interested riders. You can email Bahati at rahsaanbahati@yahoo.com.
