With Basso coming on and Levi and George already there, who is going to take Lance’s role as “leader” That is a pretty strong team they have put together.
I’d have to imagine it’s gonna be Basso. Levi is not quite at that level. George has proven that he’s the most amazing domestique on the planet and I’ll bet he’s gonna be happy returning to that role. Are Salvoldelli and the young Russian guy (can’t remember his name) still on the team for '07? Don’t forget Danielson, either. He came on strong at the end of the Vuelta.
If and when Discovery wins again, I don’t think they will care who there TOP DOG is as long as they are cashing their bonuses for wininng.
Methinks Basso will be the leader for Le Tour but it looks like they are trying to put a team together to take a run at all of the Grand Tours. George will not be the man though, he’s a great classics rider and domestique as mentioned.
If I was DS.
Basso for the Giro/Tour double. Danielson and Levi for domestique at tour. Popo domestique and Giro. Leader of Vuelta depends on who is freshest and has most potential.
Danielson will never live up to expectations placed on him. George will go back to his old role of domestique at grand tours and as a one day spring classics specialist.
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I think you’ll see a more balanced Discovery team at many races next year - but the main emphasis will always be the Tour - that’s all the Discovery sponsors care about. So with that in mind I think we’ll see a strong spring stage race performance from Popovich . George will be able to focus 100% on the Spring Classics and should see him close to being on the podium at Flanders and Roubaix again. Popo will probably support Basso at the Giro and then Danielson and Levi will support him at the Tour. Brajkovic will get some freedom to ride and potentially we could see Danielson at the Vuelta again. Levi could win Tour of Germany and the Dauphine again, but he ain’t winning the Tour thats for sure.
I think they will do much better next year with a strong focus on Basso for the Giro / Tour and the freedom for other riders in the rest of the races.
Basso is the undisputed leader for the Giro and Tour; Levi will get a chance at shorter stage races and maybe the Vuelta along with Danielson.
BUT, Levi needs to get himself in top shape for the Tour, because Basso’s legal issues may come to the fore again once the criminal aspects of Operacion Puerto wrap up in the spring. I wouldn’t be surprised if Levi and Popovych share leadership at the Tour while Basso returns to legal limbo.