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Freire enjoying one of the few wins he had last season, this one at last February's Mallorca's Challenge.

M-SR in 2004 was one of Freire's most memorable wins... and one Zabel would rather forget.

Davide Rebellin hopes to turn back the tide in 2006, put his largely forgettable 2005 campaign behind him and return to his winning ways of 2004. The 34-year-old believes it’s possible to return to form that saw him win the Amstel Gold Race, Fleche Wallone and Liège-Bastogne-Liège in one fabulous run nearly two years ago. “I will start racing in February in Portugal at the Tour of Algarve to arrive in good condition for Milan-San Remo,” Rebellin told TuttoBici. “I’ll try to do something to prevent it from coming down to a bunch sprint.” The Italian veteran, who won just one race in 2005,

Tyler Hamilton, still trying to clear his name after receiving a two-year suspension for blood-doping, has a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hearing in Denver on Tuesday. After closing submissions are made in Hamilton's appeal of a U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) ruling, the panel will begin final deliberations and render a decision, a process that could last a few weeks. Hamilton tested positive for illicit blood transfusions during the Vuelta a España in September of 2004, just weeks after winning Olympic gold. Last April, USADA imposed a two-year suspension. Hamilton wants CAS

The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.Millar’s welcome; what about Hamilton?Editor:I'm excited about David Millar's return to cycling. His honesty was impressive and he's earned this opportunity to ride again. I'm curious about Tyler Hamilton. Were he to admit at this point that he did indeed dope, what would

Herbalife has signed on as a founding partner and official nutrition company of the inaugural Amgen Tour of California, according to race organizer AEG. The race from San Francisco to Redondo Beach is scheduled February 19-26. Herbalife also will serve as the exclusive presenting sponsor of the race’s final stage in Redondo Beach and of Autograph Alley, where the riders will sign in at the start of each stage. The company also supports cycling events held at the ADT Event Center, an indoor velodrome located at The Home Depot Center. "The Tour of California is another of our initiatives to

Rebellin at last year's Amstel Gold Race, in which he finished third.

Sven Nys (Rabobank) defended his Belgian national cyclo-cross title on Sunday in Tervuren. The reigning world champion collected his fourth Belgian crown ahead of Erwin Vervecken and Bart Wellens. It was his second consecutive triumph. In other racing over the weekend: Netherlands — Gerben de Knegt outsprinted Richard Groenendaal to take the Dutch ‘cross crown Sunday in Huijbergen. It is the second title for Knegt, who first won in 2002. Wilant Van Gils was third at three seconds back. In the women’s race, Daphny van den Brand handily defeated Marianne Vos and Reza Hormes, who finished at

A month ago in Paris, the organizers of the three grand tours made a very public statement by holding a press conference in which they said they were going to extract the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España and their eight ancillary races from the UCI ProTour system. In a direct challenge to the Union Cycliste Internationale, the organizers [ASO in France, RCS in Italy and Unipublic in Spain] said they would create their own Grand Tour Trophy competition and offer the 20 ProTour teams a package of prizes and bonuses that would total almost $5million. “I find it hard to imagine

Luis León Sanchez, the surprise winner of last year’s Tour Down Under, will defend his title later this month as the third-year pro kick-starts the season for Liberty Seguros. The tall and lean León Sanchez - whose physique reminds many observers of five-time Tour de France champion Miguel Indurain - said he had planned to start his season at the Tour of Malaysia, but the team decided it was better to return to Australia after León Sanchez lost his brother in a tragic "quad" accident last year. "Manolo Saiz and I thought it would be better to start my season as soon as possible," he said.

Patrice Clerc

Refusing to throw in the towel after failing to win selection to the2005 Tour de France, Agritubel decided to keep slugging away in the professional peloton until the end of the 2007 season. And this year, the Continental team’s main goal remains unchanged: racing the Tour. "It is now or never," said Agritubel president Jose Fornes during the team’s presentation Friday in Poitiers, France. "If we are not invited this summer, it is clear that the future of the team would be seriously compromised." A promising indicator is an invitation from Amaury Sport Organization(ASO) to race Paris-Nice

The first American to ride in the Tour de France is seeking early release from probation after pleading guilty to molesting an 11-year-old girl in 2002. Jonathan Boyer, a U.S. Cycling Hall of Famer who competed in the Tour de France in 1981, appeared in court Thursday in Salinas, California, to ask a judge to lift the last two years of his probation. His lawyer said Boyer was a model inmate and has successfully completed therapy. The 51-year-old Boyer now runs a cycling shop. "He's done everything and his probation officer thinks it's probably time to terminate probation," lawyer

Now or never, says Agritubel president Jose Fornes

Boyer, upon his arrest in 2002

The 2006 Rabobank team met the press on Thursday in Rotterdam, its framework primarily Dutch and young, but bolstered by some old hands. Dutch veterans Erik Dekker, 35, and Michael Boogerd, 33, are the elder statesmen of the team, which boasts several promising young riders, among them Thomas Dekker, 21; and Pieter Weening, Joost Posthuma and Theo Eltink, all 24. Back for 2006 are Oscar Freire, the former world champion who suffered a disappointing 2005 season with injuries to the back and recurring saddle sores. "I really hope that all these problems are now behind me," said Freire, 30.

I want to begin by wishing everyone a somewhat belated holiday season. I hope you all had as great a season as I did. That’s right, I was lucky enough to spend Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, Saturnalia, New Year's and, of course, Festivus clad in shorts pushing the pedals in unseasonably, pleasantly awesome weather. While the past two weeks saw frigid temperatures on the East Coast and Northern California drowned under feet of water, Colorado was not only spared, but gifted with enough fresh powder in the mountains to keep the local bro-bra snowboarder community feeling

The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.Bare-legs ban seems a little strictEditor:In Wednesday's online installment of "Ask the Doctor," Dr. Richardson stated: "I was a junior back when disco was king and all we had to go by was the CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) cycling manual. The good book strictly forbade riding in

Rabobank meets the press in Rotterdam

Friday's EuroFile: Rabobank '06 unveiled; Saunier Duval for California, wind tunnel

Jealous?

MHP had a lot to smile about in '05.

Gettin' dirty with Canada's best

Lookin' for work in '06.

Every picture tells a story

Ivan Basso might be pegged as the man to replace Lance Armstrong in the peloton’s power structure, but it appears the Italian won't be taking a page out of the Texan’s playbook this year. Armstrong was known for his methodical, precise preparation for the Tour de France, with training camps that kept him away from the racing scene during a good part of the season. Armstrong typically would arrive to the Tour with only about 20-25 days of racing in his legs. It appears Basso likes bumping shoulders in the peloton just as much as intense training. According to Tutto Bici, Basso will be

The founder of the 7200-mile, 100-day Tour d’Afrique, has added another adventure race to his quiver — the Temple to Temple, a seven-day, 450-mile jaunt across Belize. Michael de Jong’s newest race, slated for January 29 through February 4, is billed as Central Americas longest adventure bike race, crossing jungle, mountains and the ruins of Lubaantun and Caracol. The field will be limited to 100 riders. Registration is $1495 and covers meals, services and pre- and post-race stays at the Placencia Hotel in Placencia. Support vehicles will ferry medical personnel, hospitality staff and

Basso has a full schedule for '06

Is it the model year?Dear Lennard,I have a 1999 Cannondale CAAD 5 equipped with Campy Record 9-speed.It has never shifted to my liking. I just read on Campagnolo's web sitethat there is a difference between 1999/2000 Record shifters and post-20009-speed record shifters and derailleurs. This has me totally confused.They say there is a way to tell the difference but I am not sure how todo it.What I do know is that last year out of total frustration I purchaseda new 9-speed shifter, cable set, 9-speed chain and new Record rear cassette(12-23). It now shifts better but still not

The doctor gives advice on getting ink for endurance athletes

The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.Biting the hand that feeds youEditor:I seldom feel compelled to write letters to the editor any more. I guess over the years I’ve become a little jaded by all of the cynicism and sanctimonious posturing among my brother roadies, but I have finally reached the point where I feel like I

Alejandro Valverde, the rising star who’s pumping excitement back into Spanish racing, admits he dreams of winning the Tour de France. The Illes Balears captain said winning a stage at Courchevel ahead of Lance Armstrong last July was a "dream come true," but said his ultimate goal is to win the Tour outright. "I’m only 25 years old and I have a lot of time to try to win, but I don’t pretend to try to break Armstrong’s record, but to win one Tour," Valverde said in an interview with Marca. "If I can win two, even better." Valverde’s Tour debut last July was cut short with a knee injury,

Ask the Doctor: Tattoos and beauty are skin deep

Large, but easily hidden.

This one doesn't really encourage second thoughts

Valverde relished winning stage 10 of the 2005 Tour ahead of Armstrong; now he wants the whole enchilada

"Cycling in the News" is a regular service of VeloNews.com. Readers,reporters and friends are encouraged to send links to current stories aboutcompetitive cyclists and cycling that appear in the mainstream media. Ifyou come across a news item that you believe may be of interest to otherVeloNews readers, we would be grateful if you choose to send it to Rosters@InsideInc.com.Cyclist killed in storm identifiedSan Jose Mercury NewsJan. 3 — Eric Saltzman heard a loud snap as he and a friend rode their bikes on a familiar narrow road in the Los Altos Hills. He turned around and saw a eucalyptus

T-Mobile is confident Jan Ullrich can deliver another Tour de France victory in 2006. With longtime nemesis Lance Armstrong securely in the retirement home, Ullrich is the hand’s down favorite to win another Tour. T-Mobile team manager Olaf Ludwig is quietly confident Ullrich can win his second Tour and enters the upcoming season with newfound optimism. In an interview published on the team’s web page, Ludwig said the top rival will be Team CSC’s Ivan Basso. “Ivan Basso will be the man to beat. However, he has to handle being the Tour favorite fort he first time. That’s a huge pressure not

This morning I reached into my bag of supplies and pulled out my last two Clif Shots, which means this must be my last race in the cyclo-cross motherland. Today’s event took place in Saint Niklaas and once again, it was a memorable one. The course was pancake flat and extremely fast, very similar to the Hoofstade World Cup, minus the hellacious sand. And, like the World Cup, the fans were out in full force. Tens of thousands, young and old lined a majority of the course to see the Sven Nys show. Yes, there was music. Yes, there was beer. Yes, it was a party. I think I inhaled more

In a few weeks I will be back with the team, training in California. The off-season is nearly over, although it seems that it was only yesterday that I was pinning my numbers on at the Championships of Zurich in early October. My training has transitioned from hikes, runs and mountain-bike rides to strength work in the gym, endurance rides in the mountains, and now, to daily road rides, during which I work on my lactate threshold and test myself in anticipation for the new season. I return home from training feeling tired, my legs sore, and a good meal and an afternoon nap are a necessity.

A fund-raising dinner to help send Bjorn Selander to the UCI cyclo-cross world championships will be held Saturday, January 7, in Hudson, Wisconsin. The fund-raiser will be 5-9 p.m. at Alwins Northside Service, 413 6th Street North. It will include a 2005-season recap by Selander; dinner catered by Mama Maria’s; and a silent auction for items donated by sponsors and the local community. Tickets are $12. All proceeds will go to pay Selander’s expenses — estimated at more than $4000 — for the trip to world’s January 28 in Zeddam, Netherlands. For more information, call

Will '06 be Ullrich's last good shot at the Tour?

Sven and his son doing a little pre race warm up.

These are just a few of Belgian fans that called in sick to work today.

One member of the Sven Nys Supporters Club.

All the members of the Erik Tonkin Supporters Club.

Belgain fans are never far from the beer tent.

Elisabeth, cooking up another fabulous meal.

Stella, the Belgain version of Budweiser.

Our latest reader-submitted Photo Gallery is now up for your viewing pleasure. Of course, a new gallery also means the naming of the winner of ourmost recent contest. Take the time to wander through that gallery and see if you agree or disagree with our choice of winner. It was a tough choice for us last week, be we settled upon Eric Clemensen’s “Afghan Peloton,” a photo that just had us looking through and appreciating an interesting set of details. Congratulations Eric! Drop us a note at Rosters@InsideInc.com to work out the details and we’ll send you a copy of Graham Watson's

The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.Dwight’s column is a present you can unwrap again and againEditor:The best Christmas present has been Brandon Dwight's columns. I really enjoy reading them. Thanks. Jim KirsteinFolsom, California But he may have gotten his beers mixed upEditor:Add me to the list of those enjoying

Cannondale is joining forces with the Barloworld squad for 2006 — not as a mere bicycle supplier, but as part owner of the team. "We have no intention of just supplying product," said Cannondale CEO Matt Mannelly. "With Barloworld we’ll be rewriting the rules on traditional sponsorships. Our goal is to create a full-blown ‘experience’ that will touch consumers on many levels." Cannondale will provide Six13 and Slice Aero TT bikes as well as team kit for the squad, which will be managed by Claudio Corti, who was instrumental in bringing Cannondale into the pro peloton with Saeco in

On the first of day of 2006 we entered the tiny nation of Luxembourg for the second-to-last ’cross race of my Belgian lactic-acid donor program. The much larger and men’s only GP Sven Nys took place today in Belgium. We opted for the race in the neighboring country so Lyne could compete in the women’s event. She got second, so it was well worth the trip — although she didn’t win any beer this time! The days seem to go by so quickly here. The sun rises around 8 a.m. and sets around 4:30 p.m., but when it’s raining and the skies are gray, it seems like morning and evening just blend together.

Francisco Mancebo is packing his bags and heading to Switzerland, all part of a larger strategy to make a move for the Tour de France podium. The hard-working Mancebo will rent an apartment in Geneva to be closer to the headquarters of his new Ag2r team. Mancebo – who left Illes Balears to join the French team after finishing fourth in last year’s Tour -- hopes the move will accelerate his push toward the Tour podium. "It’s going to be a year of changes," Mancebo told the Spanish daily Marca. "I feel good with the change. After so many years I needed a motivation to continue training and do

The Afghan Peloton

Belgium: gray and beautiful

Watch out for that tree!

A tribute to Bim

Where's the fire?

Another day, another load of laundry

Mancebo

Right now I’m in the car on my way back from the Hooglede World Cup and I still have mud caked to my legs and butt. Today was one of those days when you would give someone a hundred bucks for a long, hot shower just after finishing. Yes, it was another epic race in Belgium. It snowed last night, but today it warmed to a few degrees above freezing so the Belgian mud was very, very ripe. While loading up the car this morning I asked Michel, “How’s the weather out there?” He replied in a thick Belgian accent, “ It eez rain. It eez snow. It eez wind. It eez shit!” How’s that for a pep

Aside from the streamers, the midnight revelry and the inevitable morning-after hangover, New Year’s does serve a few other purposes. For one thing it lets us stop and look back at all that’s happened since the planet passed through the same spot 12 months ago. In the world of cycling, few others have been to as many places and seen as much as our own Casey Gibson did in 2005. Whether it was sweating his way through the jungles of Malaysia, cruising through the back roads of Georgia or waiting for the peloton in rural France, Gibson was there (racking up more frequent flyer miles than anyone

Completing what must be the strangest week of his cycling life, Jonathan Page (Cervélo-Mavic-adidas) became the first ever American to win an Elite UCI cyclo-cross race in Europe with a victory in Sunday’s event in Pétange, Luxembourg. Page’s win comes on the heels of solid third-place result in Thursday’s Nordzeecross in Middelkerke, Belgium, but as has been the case all during the month of December for Page, bad luck always seems to accompany any stretch of good fortune for the former three-time U.S. champ. Page’s week started off on a low note, with his return to the European

US Junior champ Danny Summerhill had a top ten finish.

Start 'em young.

Lyne Bessette cleans up before her podium appearance.

With mud like this...

...power washers are a necessity.

This blonde definitely has more fun.

Discovery Channel rolls through the green hills of California, with their best season ever ahead of them.

A young Malay girl entertains the crowd with music at the start of a stage of the Tour of Langkawi.

Michael Barry toils in the fog on the climb to Genting Highlands.

The San Dimas Stage race provided a great opportunity for crit photos, and Gord Fraser the perfect subject.

The peloton rolls past a reservoir during the classic stage of the Redlands Classic, the climb to Oak Glen.

Mike Sayers leads the Health Net team to a dominating performance, one of many, in the Sunset Stage of the Redlands Classic.

Don't try this at home, campers. Crystal Yap gets seriously aero on the very smooth track at Laguna Seca during the Sea Otter Classic.

Andrea Tafi rode his last race at the Tour of Georgia, and made it classic Tafi. Attacking at every opportunity and giving it his all.

The peloton rolls through a pecan grove in central Georgia, one of the many beautiful panoramas in the spring time race.

With teammate Tom Danielson tucked under his arm, Lance Armstrong sets the pace up the mountains in Tour de Georgia's Stage 5.