Everything's under control

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Having something to eat(Image credit: Scott & Sabine Sunderland)

Index of 2006 updates

Fans have been really worried and expressed their concern about the injuries and fractures the team has suffered since the start of the season. We did have a few unexpected changes to make to our line-up for the coming races, but no more than other teams, really. Last year, Team CSC had a fluent run with very few unfortunate crashes happening, but in general, during the first races on the programme there's always a nervousness to be felt within the peloton.

At times like this, the team spirit is more important than during the injury-free periods. And the team is really sticking together, with the riders lifting each other's spirit when necessary. Christian, Bobby, Stuey, Lars, Matti and Andy are supported and remain positive; they're working hard on their rehab and with the stimulation they receive from the rest of the team, I'm convinced they'll be back in the thick of things in a matter of weeks. Lars and Bobby will come back already in Criterium International. Christian's collarbone is mended and he will be riding Route Adélie. Stuey and Matti's healing process will take a while longer.

For Milan-San Remo, it would have been great to have Stuart there of course - judging from the way his form was going before the crash, I really believe he would have done an awesome result, and Lars Bak was missed as well. But in all, the team performed solidly in the first big classic. Frank Schleck rode a fantastic race. Frank himself was happy with his performance and Bjarne, who followed in the car with me, was pleased with how the team as a whole functioned.