Ullrich planning for 2006 TdF

T-Mobile's Jan Ullrich is already laying his plans for winning the Tour de France 2006 - everything from a new Director Sportif to a new diet. In an interview with www.sport1.de, Ullrich says he sees Basso, Vinokourov and Heras as his greatest rivals for the coveted Tour victory. "It's a lot more open without Armstrong. I really have to be careful that I have everything in hand. Basso is always getting better, Heras has to bring his Vuelta performance to the Tour, and Vino has already announced his intentions."

Ullrich's personal advisor Rudy Pevenage is expected to become a Director Sportif with the team. "But Pevenage will only lead the team in stage races in which Jan is riding. No other races," says Ullrich's manager Wolfgang Strohband.

Ullrich also announced his intention to make changes in his personal life, cutting back on the disco visits and the glasses of wine. "Every day I have so many people around me - I don't need that. Plus I'm getting older and I notice that in many ways." He also hopes to conquer two of his recurring problems, overweight and frequent infections, through a diet and nutritional plan. He will be working with the Reha-Zentrum Medical Park in Bad Wiessee, Germany, which will also supervise his "active regeneration".