|
Zabel: Ullrich still favourite
15/06/2006 13:49 - (SA)
Berlin - Former Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich's ex-teammate Erik Zabel has tipped his fellow German to regain cycling's top prize next month.
It is nine years since T-Mobile's Ullrich climbed the top step of the final podium in the Grand Boucle, due in no small part to the seven year domination of the event by American Lance Armstrong.
But now Team Milram's Zabel believes Ullrich, currently riding strongly in the Tour of Switzerland, is back to his best and ready to recapture the Tour crown.
"Looking at his physical abilities, Ullrich is the favourite. He should not be beaten," said Zabel.
Ullrich is just one of several riders believed to be in with a chance of succeeding seven-time champion Armstrong, most notably CSC's recent Tour of Italy champion Ivan Basso, who has finished one place higher than Ullrich in the last two Tours.
"With his excellent performance at the Giro d'Italia, you also have to fancy Ivan Basso's chances of winning the Tour," added Zabel.
Ullrich, 32, has finished runner-up in the Tour five times, three times behind Armstrong, and finished third last year and fourth the year before.
After an injury-delayed start to the season, he came back in the Tour of Italy but did not figure among the leaders, however he has shown his potential by riding at the front of the pack at this week's Tour of Switzerland.
The time-trial specialist will have to find an extra gear in the mountains, though, if he is to overcome Basso, third in 2004 Tour and second last year, who demonstrated his fine climbing abilities in decimating the field time and again in the tough mountain stages of the Tour of Italy.
- SAPA
|
