Davide Rebellin hopes to repeat his 1997 victory in the Championship of Zürich this coming Sunday. "That's why Davide is our captain. He knows how you win in Zürich," said Gerolsteiner directeur sportif Christian Wegmann. But the team has another option, and that is his brother: "With Fabian, we have an ace in our sleeve, who can also be captain."
Gerolsteiner is sending an experienced team to Switzerland, with Wegmann and Torsten Hiekmann, both 26, being the youngest. Beat Zberg, Georg Totschnig and Rebellin are the other end of the scale, all of them being 35 years old - and all three of them rode in the World Championships.
The race also sees the end of an era at Gerolsteiner. It is Sven Montgomery's last race. He is retiring after nine years as a pro rider, and will work in the future as the coordinator of the Swiss women's team, Bigla Cycling-Team.
Gerolsteiner for the Championship of Zürich: Torsten Hiekmann, Andrea Moletta, Sven Montgomery, Davide Rebellin, Georg Totschnig, Fabian Wegmann, Peter Wrolich and Beat Zberg.
Saunier Duval has also announced its rider roster for the Züri-Metzgete. David Millar, who rode an excellent finale at the World Championships road race last Sunday, will be captain of the team further including Oliver Zaugg, Riccardo Riccò, Guido Trentin, Juan Jose Cobo, Alberto Fernández, Javier Mejías and Manuele Mori. Pietro Algeri will act as sports director at the classic in Switzerland.
Italian team Liquigas heads to Zürich with four riders who have taken part in the World Championships in Salzburg. Three of them have worn the Italian jersey: Danilo Di Luca, Luca Paolini and (in the time trial) Vincenzo Nibali. The fourth athlete will ride at home: he is Swiss Michael Albasini.
The squad is completed by: Franco Pellizotti, Dario Cioni, Andrea Noè and Alessandro Spezialetti. In the team car will be team manager Dario Mariuzzo.
