Over the past several years teams have tried and failed to overtake Armstrong for the general classification in the Tour de France. T-Mobile is one excellent example, trying various tactics to beat the American in their (team) bid for a victory. T-Mobile has possibly one of the most expensive squads each year at the tour and this year is no different. Sporting no less than 3 very capable riders with Yan Ullrich, Alexandre Vinokourov and Spanish rider Oscar Sevilla.
In past years their tactics have been to beat the Texan down with quality riders and then to get one of their riders into the right breakaway without Armstrong. However it has been that without bit that has never happened in previous years.
However this year T-Mobile will rider for one leader, German cycling star Yan Ullrich who won the race back in 97. Andreas Kloden said “at this year’s Tour, we will work for Ullrich “without a second thought”. Their is no dought that the T-Mobile squad will be strong, I personally think Vinokourov is primed to do very well. I would also expect their tactics to change once Yan is dropped by Armstrong in the mountains, sure T-Mobile will be their to bring Yan back however over time I would not be surprised to see T-Mobiles tactics change as they start to think about “second” over-all.
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