News for August 9

Rabobank signs Zabel

The german sports magazine "Sportbild" reports in its newest issue that Erik Zabel will sign a three-year contract with the Rabobank team. Zabel is quoted with the words: "With Bjarne Riis and now Jan Ullrich Telekom has two riders who are able to win the Tour de France. So the whole team will be straightened to win the Tour. For me, this constellation isn't ideal."

Austrians aim at the Tour

The Austrian "Kleine Zeitung" reports in its 7th August online issue that also the Austrian Peter Luttenberger and Georg Totschnig will each sign a two years contract with Rabobank. It is said that Luttenberger will get 13 Million Shillings (1.9 Million Marks) for his two year contract and that his actual Carrera team couldn't offer him a similar paid contract. The major target for both Austrian riders: 1997 Tour de France.

Kindly sent by Kai Uwe Bohn (kbohn@presse.uni-bremen.de)