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T-Mobile plot Ullrich's success
21/06/2006 13:06 - (SA)
Bonn - German cycling team T-Mobile on Wednesday unveiled an experienced line-up to spearhead lead rider Jan Ullrich's bid for his second Tour de France title next month.
After winning the Tour of Switzerland for the second time at the weekend, T-Mobile are confident that Ullrich will step out of the shadows at the Tour de France from July 1-23 following the retirement of seven-time champion Lance Armstrong.
Competing for the ninth time in the world's most prestigious cycling race Ullrich, 32, will be assisted by fellow German Andreas Kloden, the 2004 runner-up, who missed most of this season because of a right shoulder injury.
Experienced riders Giuseppe Guerini, 36, and Eddy Mazzoleni, 32, of Italy will also be helping him along with up-and-coming Australian Michael Rogers.
Ullrich has warned that he is aiming for Tour de France success this summer.
He won the French race in 1997, but has failed to break the domination in recent years of seven-time champion Lance Armstrong.
The former Olympic champion has finished runner-up five times, three times behind Armstrong, and finished third last year and fourth the year before.
T-Mobile:
Jan Ullrich (GER), Andreas Kloden (GER), Matthias Kessler (GER), Patrik Sinkewitz (GER), Giuseppe Guerini (ITA), Sergei Gontchar (UKR), Eddy Mazzoleni (ITA), Michael Rogers (AUS), Oscar Sevilla (ESP)
- AFP
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