Gerolsteiner rummage sale draws crowds

A large crowd stormed the Team Gerolsteiner warehouse in Herrenberg, Germany, in search of bargains and souvenirs on Saturday, when the team held a sale of all its remaining assets. Everything from bikes to energy bars were on offer, and while the crowd was enthusiastic, reactions from team riders, staff and management were less festive.

Team manager Hans-Michael Holczer watched the proceedings from a distance. "I have had time to get used to the idea," he told the dpa press agency. Reflecting on his time in the sport, he said, "I have failed in my goal, there is no way around that. I now know that in these ten years I was just made a fool of."

Soigneurs and mechanics helped the crowd to make their selections of components, clothing or even one of the 120 bikes. "There is a lot of regret, that we have to get rid of all this," said soigneur Peter Raffeiner.

At least one rider was on hand, Holczer's son-in-law, Ronny Scholz, who has not yet announced his future plans. "There are a lot of memories here. I haven't really accepted it." Concerning his teammates Stefan Schumacher and Bernhard Kohl, who both tested positive for CERA during the Tour de France, Scholz said, "They spoiled everything, because they thought only of themselves. I don't want anything to do with either of them."