Rabobank

If they manage to remain on top of their bicycles, Team Rabobank has two serious candidates for the yellow jersey at its disposal: Denis Menchov and Robert Gesink.

Menchov dominated last year's Giro d'Italia, and also gave everybody a good scare with his last minute crash in the closing time trial. It all turned out good for the Russian. This season Menchov will concentrate on the Tour de France again, which - after the successful Giro - turned into a big disappointment last year. Even though Menchov is a contender for the Tour win, the Team's future lies in the hands of Robert Gesink. The young Dutchman climbs better than the Russian and may someday put the screws on Alberto Contador. Pressure will increase on Langeveld and Nuyens in the spring classics, now that Flecha has left the team.