Giro d'Italia - Gerolsteiner Team Preview
Pro Tour Leader Davide Rebellin leads the "water boys" of Team Gerolsteiner with
a team with a few surprises in the hunt for stage wins and who knows maybe a top
placing in the G.C.?
By: Andrew Kappes
Pro Tour leader Davide Rebellin will lead his Gerolsteiner squad into this
year's Giro D'Italia. He is having a spectacular season so far, winning Fleche
Wallone, finishing second at Paris-Nice, and finishing second at Amstel Gold. He
will always be remembered for what he did in 2004, winning the Ardennes triple,
Amstel Gold, Fleche Wallone, and Liege-Bastogne-Liege on his way to victory in
the World Cup.
Vittoria David Rebellin in a return to glory in the race he won in 2004.
Photo c. Fotoreporter Sirotti
The aging Rebellin has already answered his critics that said he was to old,
but I don't think an overall win is in the cards for Rebellin. However, a stage
win is very likely if his early season form is any indication.
Robert Forster, Maximiliano Richeze, Olaf Pollack and Paolo Bettini gesturing
"ala Fonzerelli... 'eh' " cross the finish in the final sprint on Stage 21 in
Milan. Photo c. Fotoreporter Serotti
Robert Förster will lead the Gerolsteiner sprint at this year's Giro. Förster
already knows what it takes to win a stage in the Giro, he won a
Stage 21
taking the line honors as the race finished in Milano. 2006 was a breakout year
for the 29-year old German, in addition to his Giro Stage win, he won a stage in
the Circuit de la Sarthe, two stages at the Danmark Rundt, and a stage at the
Vuelta a Espana.
Team Gerolsteiner Giro d'Italia Squad
141 Davide Rebellin Italy
142 Robert Forster Germany
143 Thomas Fothen Germany
144 Oscar Gatto Italy
145 Tim Klinger Germany
146 Sven Krauss Germany
147 Volker Ordowski Germany
148 Matthias Russ Germany
149 Oliver Zaugg Switzerland
Young Sven Krauss will provide Gerolsteiner with some bright youth at this
year's Giro. The 24-year old got his Pro Tour win when he rode on the squad that
won the 2005 Eindhoven Team Time Trial. Krauss already has a Giro campaign
underneath his belt, and with Rebellin as captain, this could be a good learning
experience for the young German rider.
Lacking a true Maglia Rosa contender, this diverse Gerolsteiner squad will be
looking for stage wins and maybe a good sprint campaign for Robert Förster.
Rebellin has surprised us all so far this season, and he could very well do it
again with a stage victory at the Giro; but what other surprises the team may
have in store we can only watch and see.
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