What about Zabel?

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Why hasn't Zabel been able to get the green jersey this year? Is he getting too old? He seems to have the speed, but he always comes up a little short in the sprints. I think if Ullrich is going to just hide in the pelaton and shadow Armstrong in the flats, T-Mobile should be working for Zabel till Ullrich feels ready to attack.

I can't quite figure out why they have Zabel in the mix at all. T-Mobile is committed to helping Ullrich win the Tour. That's their big goal this year. They have not committed to win sprints. I don't see how having a sprinter helps them in the GC. At least Zabel has proven himself capable of making it through the mountains, unlike many sprinters. But I'm still not sure.

I remember reading somewhere that Zabel said he does not care about the green jersey - been there, done that kind of thing.

I think that T-Mobile would still appreciate a stage win or two during the Tour. No team turns down that kind of publicity!

I love Zabel, he has been a hero of mine for years, but bringing him was a mistake. The team need to focus purely on JU. To waist energy on flat stages pulling a sprinter up is just silly.

Originally posted by Cam the Ram
Why hasn't Zabel been able to get the green jersey this year? Is he getting too old?

Yes.

Originally posted by Cam the Ram
Why hasn't Zabel been able to get the green jersey this year? Is he getting too old?

Yes.

Is he getting too old, well that may be part of it. The other probably bigger part is that none of his team mates are at the front setting pace for him at the end of the stages, as their all reserving themselves for Ullrich. With that being the case then it probably was a mistake to bring him. If they had replaced him with a pure climber like USPS has, then things might be different. I think it just goes to show how really focused USPS is and how Ullrichs team has not been, allthough this year they are much more focused on Jan winning than in the past.

If they (T-Mobile) had Vino and he dedicated himself to Jan the way the USPS riders do for Lance then just imagine how different things could be. Phonak is looking really good this year also. It will be very interesting to see how each team is able to keep their GC contenders at the front when we hit the Pyrenees.

Vino would have been a great asset for T-Mobile if he would have been sure to dedicate himself to Jan. I wouldn't be so sure about him, however, as I do about the USPS riders. It seems that USPS support has no urge whatsoever to veer from its goal of getting the win for Lance. A Vino similarly dedicated may have been a Tour win for Jan.

I think Zabel could be an asset if Ullrich would attack on the flats! Zabel has the speed and could easily lead Ullrich out on a attack in the flat-stages. I have only watched the Tour for a couple years, but I wish the style of GC riders would change. I wish all GC contenders would give it all they had on every stage and just not wait for the mountains.