T-Mobile notes

Alexander Vinokourov, whose contract expires at the end of the season, confirmed that he has "a number of offers from other teams," with rumors circulating that he has already decided on Cofidis. He is flying back to Kazahkstan for the national championships this weekend, a decision greeted by team management with little enthusiasm. "It's a long trip," says T-Mobile spokesman Luuc Eisenga, shrugging his shoulders.

Jan Ullrich will not be competing in the German championships. "With 200 riders, the risk of crashing is too high," he notes. Andreas Klöden will be riding the road race this weekend, although the flat course is expected to favor a sprinter.