Cycling for Kelshara

noel · Post by **noel** » December 3, 2003, 5:04 pm

Think you might like to see this news:
http://www.velonews.com/race/int/articles/5306.0.html

It appears Heras is in negotiations to leave US Postal and go to Manolo Saiz's new Liberty Seguros team.

It would definitely be a blow to US Postal's bid to get Lance Armstrong a 6th tour title, but I honestly think it's the right move for Roberto. He's shown himself to be very capable in the mountains, and I expect that if he leaves postal, and can limit his losses in the time trials, he can be a serious challenge to Lance.

Between the arsenal T-Mobile (formerly Telekom) is putting together around Ullrich, CSC is putting together around Basso, and Phonak is putting together around Hamilton, next years tour could be extremely interesting.

Edit:

Lancearmstrong.com wrote:UPDATE: The USPS-BerryFloor.com web site is reporting that "Vuelta-winner Roberto Heras has decided to sign for Liberty Seguros, the new team of Manolo Saiz, former director sportif with Once-Eroski. Earlier on, Saiz had unsuccessfully tried to sign Alejandro Valverde and Joseba Beloki."

{Developing} - Multiple sources are reporting that USPS's climbing star / 2003 Vuelta winner Roberto Heras may be leaving Team USPS presented by Berry Floor. CNN reports that "The 29-year-old Spaniard... has been approached to lead the Liberty Seguros team." CyclingNews notes that "...Liberty Seguros team manager Pablo Antón recently said that the squad hoped to complete its line-up with "the acquisition of a very important rider" before the end of the year. That rider was originally world championship silver medalist Alejandro Valverde, but attention has now turned to Heras..."

The Boston Globe quoted USPS Director Sportif Johan Bruyneel as saying "A few days ago his lawyer told us that he wanted to leave the team. Apparently he has received an offer of a three-year contract to lead another team - we aren't happy with the situation, but if Roberto wants to leave there is nothing we can do to stop him." - more as available

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » December 3, 2003, 6:35 pm

Hum that's interesting indeed. I am all for anything that makes it a more even playing field with more contenders. Makes it more interesting to watch for sure.

I must admit though.. even though Lance won, CSC impressed me the most. Hot damn that team might be dangerous! And what is happening to Once? I haven't been able to pay ANY attention at all since teh Tour basically...

noel · Post by **noel** » December 3, 2003, 6:45 pm

Once no longer exists. The sponsor pulled out. Beloki initially tried to bring everyone from the former Once team to an Italian team who's name escapes me, but was unsuccessful. After that he signed a deal with the French team that was La Boulangerie (yes I butchered the spelling to hell there) that included his brother being signed.

Ullrich is back to Telekom since Bianchi has basically not paid anyone for... ever. Tyler Hamilton left CSC to lead Phonak, and Ivan Basso replaced Tyler as CSC's team leader.

The competition this year will definitely be interesting, but I think Beloki, Heras, and Tyler have forgotten the Team Time Trial.

T-mobile (formerly Telekom) by far is the scariest team this year. With Vinokourov, Botero, and Cadel Evans riding for Jan, the team has a LOT of depth, and should really give Armstrong a run for his money.

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » December 3, 2003, 7:24 pm

Holy shit a lot happened without me reading about it.. will teach me to not read up on stuff! Thanks for the good info.

I am surprised and find it kind of a shame that Hamilton left CSC, that team was really starting to look good. And yeah, T-Mobile sounds pretty impressive. I like Viokourov and although I've never really liked Ullrich he is one damn fine cyclist.

I still say it was a shame Beloki went down last year. I don't think he would have won, but he was aggressive and it was fun as long as he was in it. He spiced things up a bit.