T-Mobile, Gerolsteiner to France

T-Mobile Team, assured of a sponsor and a future, will head to the Tour de l'Ain in France, starting Sunday. The team will be led by Canadian Michael Barry.

"Michael was hampered a little by a cold at the Clásica San Sebastián last weekend, but I think he has enough form to take on the captain's role at this race," said Directeur Sportif Valerio Piva. "This is a very challenging tour, taking in some hard climbs in the Jura mountains. Scott Davis is a strong climber and we will be hoping that he and Adam Hansen can push for strong finishes on individual stages."

The team will feature an experienced group of English-speaking veterans -- Barry, Davis, Hansen and Roger Hammond, representing three countries. The international flavour continues on to the two stagiaires on the squad, Andrej Klyuev of Russia and Dutch rider Marcel Beima.

Rival German team Gerolsteiner is also combining young and old in its team. Its squad for the 556-kilometre, four-stage race includes its oldest rider, Beat Zberg, 36, and its youngest, Carlo Westphal, 21.

Gerolsteiner's lineup for l'Ain includes Johannes Fröhlinger, David Kopp, Andrea Moletta, Carlo Westphal, Oliver Zaugg and Beat Zberg.