Unlucky Zabriskie aims at a third Tour de France

By Jean-François Quénet in Milan

After losing the potential leadership of the CSC team to Andy Schleck, David Zabriskie did his work and completed the second part of the Giro with one race in mind: the final time trial in Verona. The US National time trial champion hoped to put the stars and stripes on the top of the stage podium, but he only came third after riding in a massive downpour. The man from Utah rode in heavy rain while the only two riders who beat him, Astana's Paolo Savoldelli and Eddy Mazzoleni, had dry conditions.

"I'm not God," Zabriskie said at the start of the final stage in Vestone. "I can't contest the weather. It's a game at 100%. Sometimes you hit the bar, sometimes the bar hits you." Generally speaking, Zabriskie seemed happy with his Giro. Although he didn't win a stage like two years ago, he was pleased to be racing in support of Schleck. "Andy's performance has been a good experience for all of us", he said.

Now the winner of the inaugural time trial of the 2005 Tour de France is aiming at a third participation at the French event. "I want to do it but I don't make that decision," he added. "Everyone in the team wants to do it." CSC is expected to ride the Tour de France with Carlos Sastre as a captain and Fränk Schleck as an alternative.