Has Zabel lost the kick?

It's a long way from July and the pursuit of the green jersey, but Zabel has been beaten by Rabobank's Oscar Freire the last two days. Are we seeing a changing of the guard? Or did we see it in le Tour last year?

Just who are the top sprinters going to be this year?

 

He's getting older, he's getting better up hills and in the classics.
Thats partly a choice and partly time which make him slower the last years. As a sprinter he's already on the way back a time, he's very consistent but he's rarely number one.

That are choices he made which earnt him nice results in the World Cup and other.

Cipo is also slower then a few years ago. But he compensates with a team which is a great machine that gives him the edge. Although when you consider pure speed and acceleration, the old cipo is gone and will never be back.

 

I find it very well said of you, Maarten. I think Zabel is still a great racer. But because of his age he isn't that fast anymore.
But when he is racing he is still finishing high in the ranking.

Kaj