US Postal rider and winner of eleven races already this year, Max van Heeswijk, has called an end to his 2004 season citing personal problems and a lack of motivation as the reason behind the move.  His last success was in the first week of the Vuelta where he wore the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 /?>
Amarillo jersey for a day.  The Dutchman told Algemeen Dagblad that, ?I?m going on holiday a little earlier this year, because I am really in need of a rest.  I would have loved to have gone to the World?s?  I?ve said more than once that there is a big gap between want and can.  The difficulties that I have have been going on for a while, but now they are getting on top.  It?s very hard to handle everything, especially because I don?t have the energy for it.? <?xml:namespace prefix = o /?>

Team Director, Dirk Demol, said that, ?It?s a good decision that he will skip the World?s.  Under these circumstances, there?s no point in him going. It?s disappointing for Max; he?s such a nice guy.?

Former Australian Pro, Allan Peiper, will be joining the new Davitamon-Lotto squad for next season as a Director.  Peiper will increase the Australian contingent from four to five with the team having already secured the services of Aussie riders Robbie McEwen, Henk Vogels, Cadel Evans and Nick Gates.

Since retiring from the peloton in the mid 90?s, Peiper has had spells working for British TV and could often be found selling hamburgers at the top Belgian classics throughout the year ­- a delicacy which has now attained legendary status amongst those riders spending the season racing in his adopted homeland of Belgium.

Top Italian teams Lampre and Saeco have announced their amalgamation for 2005.  The agreement was finalized and announced at the World Championships in
Bologna.  The team will be managed by Giuseppe Saronni and Claudio Corti and will be led by Damiano Cunego, Gilberto Simoni and Igor Astarloa.  A name for the new team is yet to be announced.

Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme?s leading rider, Alejandro Valverde, was last week confirmed to have been priced out of a possible move to the Rabobank team, according to De Telegraaf.  Rabobank will instead rely upon Denis Menchov to lead them in the major tours.  Just days later, todociclismo.com announced that Valverde was expected to sign for Saunier Duval.  The team was in negotiations with Murcia Turistica to join the team as a co-sponsor whilst leaders from the organization were in discussions with their counterparts at Comunidad Valenciana over the two million Euro cancellation fee in the Spaniards current contract.

Speaking shortly before yesterday?s World Championship road race in
Verona, Italian team manager, Franco Ballerini, was preparing himself to face his critics should Davide Rebellin have succeeded.  Following his omission from the Italian Olympic team, Rebellin had opted to compete in
Verona for
Argentina, as previously reported on Roadcycling.com.  ?I can understand his desire to ride the World?s, but I was going to include him anyway,? said Ballerini to AFP.  He continued, ?Rebellin is a great