T-Mobile trains into the New Year

By Susan Westemeyer

New Year's Eve is celebrated by pro cyclists, of course, but in Germany they must train first. T-Mobile's Steffen Wesemann will put in his round in the morning - more likely on cross-country skis than on the bike - before seeing the New Year in with his family.

It is the first time in 10 years that Wesemann will celebrate at home. "In the past years we have been either in Australia or Arizona," the German noted, but with the oldest children in school, that is no longer possible.

His teammates André Korff and Andreas Klöden and families are vacationing in Zillertal, Austria. The families will celebrate together, with a few fireworks for Niclas (4) and Luisa Korff (7), and Felicitas Klöden (4) to enjoy. It is hoped that Leticia Klöden (six months) will sleep through the excitement. On the first day of the New Year, however, the two pros will put on their cross-country skis for a training round. "We trained well in South Africa and want to stay at that level, so that we can arrive at our training camp on Mallorca on January 4 in good condition," said Korff.