Cycling Newsflash for October 28, 2004

Edited by John Stevenson

Dave Zabriskie signs with CSC

Dave Zabriskie on the way to victory in the US national time trial championships in June
Photo ©: Jason Elhardt

Twenty-five-year-old US rider Dave Zabriskie has announced he has signed with the CSC team for 2005-6, ending weeks of speculation (and enquiries from Cyclingnews readers) about his destination when it became obvious he was not staying with the majority of the US Postal team as it becomes the Discovery Channel squad.

Zabriskie is another rider whose 2004 season can be described as a roller-coaster ride. He crashed heavily at the Redlands Classic in March but determinedly worked his way back to form to win the US national time trial championships, a stage of the Vuelta a España and to take fifth place in the world time trial championships, establishing himself as a rider to watch.

While Zabriskie says he is sorry to be leaving US Postal, he is heading for CSC because "it's time for a change. I always hear that change is good and I know there is no better team for me. I like Riis' unique approach to the sport and the willingness of the guys on the team to race hard."

Zabriskie's dramatic solo escape in stage 11 of the Vuelta a Espana
Photo ©: AFP

CSC caught Zabriskie's attention when he rode the Tour of Denmark in August. "We hit the finishing circuits [of a stage]" says Zabriskie. "There was a steep hill and I dropped my chain going from the big-to-little rings. All of a sudden I am being pushed along so I could get the chain back on…I quickly realized it was Tour de France winner Bjarne Riis helping me to get back in the race! Now that's class!"

Zabriskie expressed his gratitude to the US Postal squad, which he has ridden for since 2001. "I want to thank Johan and everyone that has helped me along over the years…I'm excited for the change but will miss the Postal family," he said.

His first appointment with his new team will be a training camp in December where he will start thinking about his 2005 program. "I look forward to 2005. The new team has provided me added motivation and my 04 results have ingrained a great sense of confidence," he said. "Winning in Spain was a great feeling, one I want to feel more of."

Related story: An interview with Dave Zabriskie, December 2003

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