team.   Savoldelli will be hunting for his third victory in the race.

Matt White, the Australian domestique extraordinaire, last week announced his return to the Discovery Channel team.   White previously rode for the organisation while under the guise of US Postal.   He left to join the French Cofidis team in search of a start in the Tour de France and to join up with close friend and compatriot Stuart O?Grady.   Having signed for Giancarlo Ferretti?s Sony-Ericsson squad, both riders were left without contracts following the withdrawal of the sponsor.   While O?Grady found a new home with the Danish CSC team, White found sanctuary back with his previous employer.

While initial discussions proved to be unsuccessful because of the 2006 Discovery Channel roster being full, a change of sponsor and some surplus funds led manger, Johan Bruyneel, to call White and offer him a ride on the team.   White has signed a 12-month contract.

Finally this week, having left the Fasso Bortolo team, sprinter Alessandro Petacchi is hoping to make a mark on the Classics next year.   The new Team Milram sprinter told
La Gazzetta dello Sport . " My future lies in the classics.   I've got nothing to lose.
Flanders is a race that for me is on equal terms with Milan-San Remo. "

Partnering with Petacchi is aging German sprinter, Erik Zabel.   Petacchi went on to add that, " It is a great honour to have Erik Zabel as a pacemaker in
San Remo - that gives me a feeling of security.   When he gives me tips, then I will have a lot to learn from him. Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, HEW Cyclassics in Hamburg, and Paris-Tours will be the focus of my attention next year ."

As always, keep in touch with your thoughts and opinions.   Send them to me at ian@roadcycling.com and post them in our discussion forums .

Until next week,

Ian