 | TEAM FACTFILE Country: Denmark Manager: Bjarne Riis Best Tour: 2004, Ivan Basso - third |
It looked like the departure of Tyler Hamilton would rip the heart out of CSC when he joined Phonak two seasons ago but far from it. Team boss Bjarne Riis turned to Ivan Basso and his decision was vindicated when Basso proved the only man to match Armstrong in the Pyrenees last year.
In the end, the Italian slipped to third overall. It remains to be seen whether he can maintain that form.
This year saw the death of his mother following a battle with cancer.
And he had an arduous Giro d'Italia after struggling with a stomach upset and slumping well out of contention when leading the race.
It remains to be seen whether he has it within him to bounce back for the Tour de France.
There's no doubting he has the support.
Carlos Sastre is an understated but impressive rider, who was eighth last year, while Bobby Julich and Jens Voigt are irrepressable.
Voigt was second in this year's Liege-Bastogne-Liege and second in the Paris-Nice, a race won by the in-form Julich.
Under former Tour winner Riis, CSC have maintained a sensational work ethic and camaraderie.
MMIX
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