Phonak Hearing Systems has announced its team for the 2005 Tour de France.

After conferring with the two directors sportifs Juan Fernandez and Jacques Michaud, Phonak?s general team manager John Lelangue today announced the team?s line-up for the Tour de France 2005.

The following Phonak riders are expected to line up for the 2005 Tour de France prologue in Fromentine on July 2.

Santiago Botero (COL)
Bert Grabsch (GER)
Enrique Gutierrez (ESP)
Robert Hunter (RSA)
Nicolas Jalabert (FRA)
Floyd Landis (USA)
Alexandre Moos (SUI)
Oscar Pereiro (ESP)
Steve Zampieri (SUI)

Floyd Landis and Santiago Botero will fight for the overall Tour win ? with Landis being the team leader ? possibly because Botero quite often has an off-day or two when a major Tour hits the serious climbs. In general, Landis and Botero are both strong and powerful time trialists and climbers and we expect both riders to finish relatively high in the overall rankings, with Botero probably located a bit lower in the rankings because he has peaked earlier this year than Landis.

Enrique Gutierrez, Alexandre Moos, Oscar Pereiro and Steve Zampieri are all expected to be able to offer the two team leaders support in the mountains. Pereiro is also a good time trialist and can act as an overall classification backup in case Botero and Landis fail. Pereiro finished 10th overall in last year?s Tour de France. Enrique Gutierrez is former Spanish time trial champion and performed well in last year?s Dauphin? Lib?r?.

Robert Hunter will battle with riders such as McEwen, Hushovd, and Zabel in tough sprints, while Nicolas Jalabert and Bert Grabsch can offer general support in flat stages and take part in long breakaways.