Has Zabel lost the kick?

[easyrider]

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?

 

[steve]

How old is Zabel now? 34? 35?

Remember it is early in the season, he could come good later on

 

[maarten]

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.

 

[kaj1973]

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