Pollack looking and frustrated

By Susan Westemeyer

Olaf Pollack would have liked to remain with Team T-Mobile. "I would have liked to have gone with them on the new way that the team has introduced, because I think it's the right way," said the 33 year-old German. But T-Mobile had told him in August that they were planning for 2007 without him, and the sprinter is now looking for a new team.

Pollack is not altogether satisfied with his two years at T-Mobile, and notes that if had been possible to foresee Danilo Hondo's suspension, he "might have decided otherwise" and remained at Gerolsteiner, to become their top sprinter. But, he admits, he made mistakes, without going into specifics, saying "I opened my mouth when the young riders didn't and should have. That may have bothered some people."

He also explained to Lausitzer Rundschau Online that his biggest disappointment was Erik Zabel, his fellow T-Mobile sprinter in 2005. "He is doubtless a world class rider with a perfect eye for the situation. I had hoped to learn from him. But Erik only took -- he never gave," said Pollack on the German, who has since moved to Milram.

"I believe I am the most underestimated sprinter in Germany," Pollack continued. "I never had the trust of others, always had to prove myself." Self-critically, he notes, "Perhaps I needed a little more self-confidence."

In his search for a new team, he doesn't eliminate the possibility of going to a continental team. He notes, too, that, "I should have looked after my contract negotiations more myself. I left that too much to others." He also noted the possibility of returning to the track. "Yes, I've thought about that. I can time trial; I've proved that often enough."