Velochimp: Astrochimp on Cycling

Everybody is setting their goals for 2006. We have Petacchi wanting to win Flanders, Cunego ready for another Giro and a dip of the toe at the Tour.

Now, Johan Bruyneel is setting goals for 2006 and naturally he would like Salvodelli to repeat at the Giro. No big surprise since Il Falco is the defending champion and Discovery has a very formidable team to support this effort.

Salvodelli can have confidence going into the Giro since he has the guarantee of full team support. There is not 100% certainty of winning another Giro, but it has become our priority for next season, especially since the retirement of Lance Armstrong.

Says Bruyneel, who is still bothered by the snub of the seven time champion during the 2006 Tour presentation. Bruyneel is not ready to place Salvodelli as the Disco leader for the Tour de France yet.

Paolo has all of the physical characterisitics for a high GC placing in the Tour. He is a good time trialer and very good climber in the less difficult climbs of the Giro. However, he is Italian and he prefers to ride for the Maglia Rosa.

For the French race, Bruyneel is looking with much interest at the Ukranian Yaroslav Popovych:

We have to see how he goes without pressure to perform. This Tour is adapted to his skills. Last July he won the white jersey for best young rider and placed 12th overall on GC. These are signs that point to future success for Yaroslav.

Translated from Tuttobici.