Well, as the start of the Tour approaches there are a couple of updates.
First, there are reports that LiquiGas rider Danilo DiLuca is going to ride for the Spotty Jersey. It seems that the LiquiGas director (i.e.-coach/manager) read my blog from a few days back and decided that riding for a lower place in the overall wasn't as good as contending for another jersey like I said. DiLuca was one of the favorites to win the Giro de Italia and had what might be termed a disappointing performance against Basso. DiLuca's teammate Stephano Garzelli has tried to ride for the overall in the past at the Tour and has finished tenth. I think he'll be shooting for a stage win in the mountains and an higher placing but that's about all. DiLuca's a pretty good spinter and a strong man so he could definitely give Rasmussen and Mayo (if he decides to go for it) a run for the jersey I think he'll have a good shot at it. So here's my revised eidtion of the Spotted Jersey prediction:
What I think I'd like to see: (1) Mayo, (2) DiLuca, (3) Rasmussen (I keep hearing that all Simoni is shooting for is a stage)
What I think we'll see: (1) DiLuca, (2) Rasmussen, (3) Basso, (4) Mayo, (5) Landis (I've taken Voekler out because I think DiLuca's going to go for a lot of early points to create a lead before the race hits the mountains
Secondly, Ullich's definitely in according to the ASO folks (the race organizers). Vino won't know until Friday but his team's not been invited to the team presentations this evening. ASO is required to allow the team in according to UCI rules but they've appealed to the Court of Sports Arbitration to supercede the rule. I think a compromise will reached where the team will be allowed to race but not with any of the individuals named in the Operation Puerto report. They may have a hard time fielding a team but I think they'll sign one off contracts with a couple of riders if they have to. Astana, a Kazahk company really wants to see Vino contend for this thing so they'll pull whatever strings they need to. There are rumors that the president of Kazahkstan will be calling French preime minister Chirac to apply pressure. Given the French tendancy to roll over to foreign powers on any number of issues I expect this will work nicely. If LeBlanc was still the Director over at ASO he'd probably dig his heels in but I think he's stepped aside.
More updates over the next couple of days.
