|
Find out more about James: James, a journalist since 1976, is co-author of Tour de France For Dummies. He owns several websites, contributes to many print and online publications and is also the Monterey Peninsula Examiner. A long-distance runner for nearly 30 years, Raia also rides his bike -- to nearby coffeehouses. E-mail: james@byjamesraia.com. |
Like predecessor George Hincapie, Jose Luis Rubiera of Spain appears to have assumed the “First Lieutenant’s” role for Lance Armstrong — at least during the seven-time Tour de France champion’s first comeback race.
Rubiera, 35, who rode with Armstrong during five of his Tour de France titles, was considering retirement after the 2008 season. But he remained with the Astana team for 2009 to compete with Armstrong.
Hincapie was the only cyclist to ride with Armstrong during all of his seven Tour de France titles.
In addition Rubiera, who's most often called "Chechu," and Armstrong, the Astana roster for the Tour Down Under will include: Assan Bazayev, Jesus Hernandez, Michael Schar, Maxim Iglinskiy, Steve Morabito. Bazayev, Iglinskiy and Morabito all rode in the 2008 Tour of Italy.
"We all know that Lance Armstrong is a champion, but the rest of his Astana teammates heading Down Under should not be underestimated," race director Mike Turtur told the French news agency, AFP. "With experienced grand tour riders like Bazayev, Morabito, Iglinskiy and Rubiera, I predict fierce competition from Astana from day one.”
The Tour Down Under is scheduled Jan 20-25 and will begin in Adelaide.
If you like this post, you may also enjoy:
Versus announces Tour Down Under broadcast schedule
Lance Armstrong gets permission to race Tour Down Under
Comment
RSS
Email
Print
