Predictor-Lotto considers Leipheimer

Belgium-based squad Predictor-Lotto is interested in having the signature of American Levi Leipheimer, third in the recent edition of the Tour de France. The 33 year-old is looking for a new team after it was announced that current team Discovery Channel will be folding its operations at the end of 2007.

Predictor-Lotto Team Manager José De Cauwer confirmed in an interview with La Dernière Heure that the team is motivated in having a strong general classification rider to help Australian Cadel Evans, second in the Tour. "We would like to have a second man at the side of Evans who has the capacity to ride for the classification in Grand Tours, and Leipheimer would be an ideal man," noted the Belgian.

"The negotiations are open but I believe there are good possibilities that we can find an agreement."

Leipheimer spent three years with Rabobank and two with Gerolsteiner before signing with Discovery for 2007 and later being designated as a reinforcement to Ivan Basso. Discovery and Basso parted ways when the Italian was linked with Doctor Eufemiano Fuentes and this opened the door for Leipheimer to push for the podium in the Tour while helping younger teammate Alberto Contador vie for the eventual win.