As the Tour de France implodes for the second year in a row, American hopes may turn to a team that is not even in the race.
Jonathan Vaughters’ Team Slipstream is building for its leap from the U.S. continental ranks to the Pro Tour next year. According to articles published on Cyclingnews and Velonews, Vaughters has met with Tour de France organizers about having his riders at the start line next July.
Vaughters, a former U.S. Postal rider, said he will not announce until Sept. 1 the riders he has signed for next year, but speculation on the Internet sites include the names of American David Zabriskie, Scot David Millar and the retiring Belgian pro Axel Merckx as the team’s director sportif. Some months ago, it was reported that Vaughters had spoken with Floyd Landis about his joining the team if and when the 2006 Tour de France winner is cleared of doping charges.
Along with big international names, Vaughters’ team made headlines earlier this year with news that it had adopted a stringent anti-doping program in partnership with the Agency for Sporting Ethics. The program is being heralded as “the most progressive anti-doping system in the professional sports world.” Vaughters said the team will perform 1,200 doping tests on its 23 riders this year.
A new, competitive team on the pro tour stage, with interesting names and spotless anti-doping pedigree might be what cycling needs to rebuild. American cycling fans may be wearing argyle next year.
