The Week That Was...
As he continues his build up to the 2006 Tour de France,
He went on to add that, "I started training in November, so I've done more than in other years."
All may not necessarily be going as smoothly as Ullrich and T-Mobile would like us to believe. There are reports that Ullrich has hurt his knee during his training, causing him some problems. A spokesman for the team has denied that there is anything to worry about.
T-Mobile team-mate and fellow GC contender, Andreas Kl?den has had his season disrupted after a fall while training last week. He fell while training last week and subsequently underwent an operation for an acromioclavicular dislocation. Carsten Temme, the T-Mobile team doctor, said on the team?s website that he is likely to have had to spend 5 days in hospital following the surgery and that he will be back on the rollers two weeks later. "We figure that Andreas can start intensive road training the end of April. But it depends on how he heals," Temme added.
Immediately following the surgery, Temme explained that, "The ligaments in the right shoulder that hold the collarbone in place were torn. Right now, we expect that Andreas will be able to return to intensive training on the road the end of April. If the healing process goes as expected, we think there will be plenty of time for him to prepare well for the Tour de France."
Having stripped race winner, Roberto Heras, of his overall victory in last years Vuelta a Espana, following his positive drug test, race organizers Unipublic were forced to cancel an award ceremony to honor Denis Menchov as the new race winner, in light of possible legal action instigated by Heras.
The ceremony was due to honor Menchov, Carlos Sastre and Francisco Mancebo as the new race podium finishers.
After being found guilty of EPO use following stage 20 of last year's Vuelta a Espana, Roberto Heras has now delayed the awarding of victory to Denis Menchov because of the Spaniard's ongoing legal action. The suspended rider has commenced proceedings against the Spanish Cycling Federation in
Unipublic stated that, "We have received notice that Roberto Heras has begun legal action against the resolution of the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) after his positive test in the 20th stage of the 2005 Tour of Spain."
They went on to add that, "Although the rider has been sanctioned as expected, Unipublic has decided to call off the ceremony scheduled for March
New Team CSC recruit, Fabian Cancellara, was feeling positive for the forthcoming northern classics after a strong showing at Milan San-Remo. He explained on the team?s website that, "I actually still felt quite fresh towards the end of Milano-San Remo and that is definitely a good sign. We had Fr?nk Schleck all the way up front so of course I wasn't going anywhere, but I did have the legs for an attack during the final kilometer,"
The 25 year old, former FDJeux.com rider add that, "the following day I was fairly worn, but during the last couple of day's training here in Switzerland I've felt that my form is right where it should be". He is definitely one of the riders to watch out for in the coming months as the riders bounce their way across Northern France,
Finally this week, Team CSC has announced a new sponsor. MAN Aktiengesellschaft are a German engineering company who have so far supplied the team with a team coach and service truck. The company?s logo will now appear on the teams? jerseys.
"We have gained an excellent partner and are very proud to be actively supported by such a major enterprise," said CSC's team manager Bjarne Riis.
Until next week?
