Zabel, Petacchi confirmed for Niedersachsen

Team Milram has announced its two star sprinters, Erik Zabel and Alessandro Petacchi, will participate in April's Internationale Niedersachsen Rundfahrt in Germany. The pair are looking forward to facing the strong competition at the five day tour, which runs from April 25 - 29, and are particularly enthused by the profile of the course which is favourable for a sprinter.

"It leads through Lower Saxony and one stage even ends in Breman. So I'm happy to start here with my team," said Zabel, who will be making his debut at the event this year. "I hope I can win a stage, but the competitors are strong and I'm sure Alessandro will try to repeat last year's success."

While one of Zabel's toughest rivals will undoubtedly come from home territory in Petacchi, the team's commercial manager, Gerry can Gerwen, stated that there's only one thing that matters: "The main thing is that the team wins. For the team, it is important to tie up to last year's success. With both captains starting our chances to repeat the fantastic results of 2006 are higher."

The decision to take its two stars to the German race was undoubtedly influenced by the team's title sponsor Milram. "The Lotto-Tour leads directly through the Milram country," explained Nordmilch marketing and sales director Martin Mischel. "Here, our farmers and employees have the chance to experience the team close by again. This is why we're especially happy that Erik Zabel agreed on his start so that both stars are in the selection."