Slipstream: Dave Z, Van de Velde, and Millar
 

all officially signed.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?...l07/jul30news2

The post-Armstrong post-doping American cycling era finally begins.

Lots of other names have been rumored. Vaughters better get somebody to lead, however, as these guys are just good domestiques and a specialist.

there are no big international names in cycling. so it's not *that* important.

If they could sign Julich that might be good.

Julich is done. That would not be a good move, unless he signs real cheaply and makes quasi-celebrity appearances.

He needs somebody that can win a big race. It will do him little good to have a great drug free program if they are all buried so deeply on the GC that no one cares. It might even be counterproductive, making people think you must use drugs if you want to win.

I say choose the best American cyclist available. Might be Horner, if Leipheimer is still with Lance's beast.

Horner is a good rider but he will never do better than he did this year unb a grand tour. He nmight be aleader, but it will be seen as a B team if he is the man.

how many A teams were there in this tour? Of the 21 teams.

At least half thought they couold podium. If Horner is your big fish, then you need to adjust your expectations. Vaughters wants to ride the tour next year. Who is oging to podium? VandeVelkde?

who are these 10 GC men?

Rabobank - Menchov
Discovery - Leipheimer
CSC - Sastre
Ag2R - Moreau
Predictor-Lotto - Evans
Caisse d Esp - Valverde
Astana - Vino/Kloden

Which are the three other team?

I don't have time to gop back over it, but you should also include the Poiunts guys, who gets lots of pub for sponsors, like Boonen, Hushovd, Bennatti, and can also take a leaders role. The point is that if you fill your team with good, but not distinguished, clean riding americans you may end up having a tema no one cares about.