Gerolsteiner checking out Tour's mountains

The Giro d'Italia has just started, but Team Gerolsteiner is already turning its attention to the Tour de France. Fabian Wegmann, Markus Fothen, Bernhard Kohl and Sebastian Lang are in the Pyrenees, riding the mountain stages.

They are accompanied by a mechanic and a soigneur, as well as by Directeur Sportif Udo Bölts. "Because of his 12 times riding the Tour, Udo knows the region like the back of his hand and is therefore an important guide and advisor," said Wegmann on his website, fabianwegmann.de.

"We will ride the complete 14th and 15th stages, but we will probably spare ourselves the first flat kilometres of the 16th stage," he said, preferring to concentrate on the finish at the Col du Aubisque.

"Climbs like the Plateau de Beille (14th stage), or the Col de Portet d'Aspet, Cole de Menté and Col de Peyresourde (all from the 15th stage) are all special difficulties and therefore worth checking out. Let's see what our visit show us, and hope that the weather stays good and that we all stay healthy."