Phonak was to pull out as the team’s main sponsor, but Andy Rihs couldn’t help himself and decided to go on for another year. So the team’s immediate future is secure again. From being a small team in 2000, Phonak grew bigger by getting big names like Hamilton and Landis. Hamilton was sure to win the Tour de France one day, but we all know he was caught with his hands in the “cooky-jar”. So Landis will now be their main protagonist in the Giro and the Tour.


Phonak didn’t buy that many riders, but did lose a few good ones to other teams. Oscar Pereiro (Illes Balears) had a good 2005 season, but wouldn’t stay. They fired Santos Gonzalez (Murcia) during the Vuelta, suspecting doping usage (not proven). Tadej Valjavec went to Italian team of Lampre. All three riders have been proving their ability in the past, so Phonak might be missing them this coming season.


They did get Axel Merckx and Koos Moerenhout (both Davitamon Lotto). Merckx, always chasing his fathers legacy, should do well in some of the classics and probably the Tour de France where he will support Landis. Moerenhout showed his fans that he’s pretty good in the Spanish mountains and will probably show his true potential now, if he gets a chance to go for a few of his own goals. Neo-pro Steve Morabito is a Swiss talent who could emerge as a great new addition to the team. Moos, already with the team, is usually very good in the Swiss home races, but outside Switzerland he doesn’t seem to get the results as yet.


Not only Landis is a star within Phonak. Santiago Botero is an “Ullrich” styled rider in the mountains and posesses the quality to win (mountain) time trials. He came close to winning the tour the France once, but will try again for sure. Having had a bad “German episode”, he changed teams in 2004 and came to Phonak. Since then Santiago has come back to life and won the 2005 Tour of Romandy. Suddenly he’s found his legs again and will be a man to watch this coming season. But Botero is not the only big name. Miguel Martin Perdiguero is one of those guys that can win anywhere he rides. A good sprint, very attacking style, good climber, are all expressions that suit “Perdi” well. He too had many wins over the 2004 and 2005 seasons. Victor Hugo Peña never really mastered the high mountains, therefore not able to make his stance in one of the grand tours, but he is an excellent time triallist!


Spinters are in supply too. Fabrizio Guidi had a dreadful 2005 season, with injury and suspected doping usage (cleared) so he will be very eager to get a few wins on the board, to say the least. Same goes for Robert Hunter, he had a similar season to Guidi’s. Started off well in 2005, but injuries prevented him from racing. So their third sprinter, Clerc, has been in the picture more than he would’ve thought up front, getting a few top 10 placings. Also Rast and Murn are guys with a pretty fast finish, only problem being: We never know who’ll be the sprinter in the races, because often enough the last three mentioned sprinters ride the same races, therefore it’s hard to judge.


One of the problems Phonak has had in recent years is: too many raceleaders. Now, after the changes in the team, they want to get more of a teamspirit going with all the riders. One of the ways they’re achieving this is by sending them into ‘English class’. On the basis of better communication skills, teamwork should be easier for Phonak this season.


Additions to the team:
Axel Merckx, Koos Moerenhout, Florian Stalder, Ryder Hesjedal, Jonathan Patrick McCarty, Luis Fernández Oliveira, Steve Morabito, David Vitoria


Left the team:
Santos Gonzalez, Oscar Pereiro, Tadej Valjavec, Tomasz Nose, Viktor Rapinski, Niki Aebersold, Daniel Schnider