Sinkewitz to lead T-Mobile

The management team of Olaf Ludwig and Mario Kummer, who received criticism for their choice of tactics (or lack thereof) during the Tour de France as well as much of the blame for the doping scandals that hit the team, will be replaced from the beginning of November by Bob Stapleton and Rolf Aldag.

While it remains to be seen whether the two men, and Aldag in particular, will take a more hands-on role immediately, the German outfit would certainly be happy for a repeat of the result of 2004, where Patrik Sinkewitz took victory.

Back then, the German was riding for the Quickstep team, though his ability in the mountains persuaded T-Mobile to sign him up, and the Bonn based-outfit are now counting on him to answer recent criticism of performances by winning the event:

"Patrik had a solid Tour campaign and he was a very valuable helper to Andreas Klöden. At the Deutschland-Tour the team will ride in support of him” said sporting director Valerio Piva.

He will be ably supported by Linus Gerdemann, who could also have his sights set on a challenge to the general classification according to Piva:

“Gerdemann performed very well in his last few races, and should have the right form to play a leading role,” he said, before adding that the presence of two potential GC winners should “make things much more complicated for the competition.”

Seasoned climber Eddy Mazzoleni will support the German pair in the mountains, while Lorenzo Bernucci and Stephan Schreck could challenge for wins on the flatter stages.

Lorenzo Bernucci (26/ITA), Linus Gerdemann (23/GER), André Greipel (24/GER), Kim Kirchen (28/LUX), Eddy Mazzoleni (32/ITA), Daniele Nardello (33/ITA), Stephan Schreck (28/GER), Patrik Sinkewitz (25/GER).