Durangodave said:
It's not about results. It's about preparation. Still, kind of a harsh way to stick up for your guy.
He may not be sticking up for his guy only.
He may be sticking it to a very rigid, uncreative and fairly destructive pro cycling team that has done a lot of damage to certain riders, didnt help certain riders who should have been nurtured and sent up the ranks, and just dissed others.
Julich is high up on that list.
We dont know how bad it was for him, but I would assume his comments are one barometer of how screwed up the climate was there.
But just to add to others who hace crapped out on T-Mob:
Cadel Evans, much better as soon as he left.
Botero much better as soon as he left.
ended the career of Kevn Livingston, a truly very talented rider.
and of course Julich.
Sevilla has never done anything once there.
Basically anyone not German if you get the drift.
And oh yeah, how did they treat their most succesful rider Erik Zabel?
Bobby was treated as pack fodder and as a second rate rider.
What goes around comes around.
Oh yeah I forgot to mention, after winning 1997, what was Ullrichs best year by far?
2003 when he left the T-Mob team.
What happened to him as soon as he went back?
FInished off the podium for the first time ever.
The evidence is that for the dollar spent, they have a curios knack of not getting the most out of their riders.