Velochimp: Astrochimp on Cycling

The first A.L. (After Lance) Tour de France will be unveiled Thursday in Paris. Among those on hand will include Ivan Basso who is looking to take over the mantle of Tour winner. Basso and Team CSC Director Sportif Bjarne Riis are very serious about the 2006 Tour where they will take an Armstrong-like approach. It looks as though Basso will not race the Giro in 2006 and instead scout out the major climbs that will be revealed Thursday. CSC was trying to sign Gilbert Simoni to take on the GC Giro duties, but he instead went to Saunier Duval. Surprisingly, Jan Ullrich will not be present at the route presentation as he is on vacation.

There is abundant speculation of a mountain TT up Mt. Ventoux and a final day Time Trial in Paris a la 1989. Whatever the route, the race will probably be a bit more exciting since Armstrong won’t be there, and there will be a new winner for the first time in seven years.

Tour de France 2006, The Start : welcome on the official website