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Driver's seat: The Scott Sunderland diary 2006
Everything's under control
Italy/Belgium, March 24, 2006
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Ok, better say it right away - yep, we do still have enough riders for the coming weeks, so no, no need for you to start training and apply for a job!
Fans have been really worried and expressed their concern about the injuries and fractures the team has suffered since the start of the season. We did have a few unexpected changes to make to our line-up for the coming races, but no more than other teams, really. Last year, Team CSC had a fluent run with very few unfortunate crashes happening, but in general, during the first races on the programme there's always a nervousness to be felt within the peloton.
At times like this, the team spirit is more important than during the injury-free periods. And the team is really sticking together, with the riders lifting each other's spirit when necessary. Christian, Bobby, Stuey, Lars, Matti and Andy are supported and remain positive; they're working hard on their rehab and with the stimulation they receive from the rest of the team, I'm convinced they'll be back in the thick of things in a matter of weeks. Lars and Bobby will come back already in Criterium International. Christian's collarbone is mended and he will be riding Route Adélie. Stuey and Matti's healing process will take a while longer.
Tirreno-Adriatico was very cold, and due to the weather less enjoyable for the riders, but it was good preparation for the coming classics. I was happy to see the guys' form improving daily. Fabian (Cancellara) winning the individual time-trial was proof that the training camps and different approach to the start of the season are starting to pay off at the targeted moment.
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For Milan-San Remo, it would have been great to have Stuart there of course - judging from the way his form was going before the crash, I really believe he would have done an awesome result, and Lars Bak was missed as well. But in all, the team performed solidly in the first big classic. Frank Schleck rode a fantastic race. Frank himself was happy with his performance and Bjarne, who followed in the car with me, was pleased with how the team as a whole functioned.
Stuey came to see the team at the hotel after the race, which was really cool of him and we all agreed he's looking good. The ribs still occasionally remind him of what happened, and the arm is strapped in a brace, but his eyes look hungry and show his eagerness to get back to racing.
The team's lining-up for the coming races here in Belgium and we're also racing the Settimana Ciclista in Italy. Next weekend there's also the Criterium International in France. Look for us in the results on Cyclingnews and on the team's website: www.team-csc.com.
There's some fun stuff planned for CSC fans on the home pages, so do have a browse!
ciao,
Scott
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Scott & Sabine Sunderland
- Administration is a rut that someone has to go through
- Lots of kilometres in the car is what it's all about
- Allan Johansen getting all the attention from Danish Television as sole Danish rider starting Milan-San Remo
- Andrea Peron is always smiling
- Marcus Ljungqvist looks relaxed around training time
- Stopover in Montreux on the way home/enjoying a moment of quiet and reflection after the Italian races
- Having something to eat at the stopover in Montreux on the way home
- Karsten Kroon: So where does this piece go on the bike?
- Fabian Cancellara taking advantage of the available tools to give his car a bit of a wash
- Having a minute out from a pretty crazy schedule
- Out training with Karsten Kroon and Fabian Cancellara around Lake Como on the Thursday before Milan-San Remo
- Fabian Cancellara in good spirits ahead of Milan-San Remo
- Karsten Kroon flying in training
- Talking to Volodymir Gustov before a training ride
