There's no way I see that happening. Lance will not ride the Tour for someone else, especially how strong he is now.

If he starts the Tour as the team leader and starts to falter badly, well then that's another story.

The interesting thing is how people that leave US Postal can't seem to ride the next year. What is up with Heras? He can't climb to save his life in this Tour. And then Azevedo is a total stud climber because he's with Postal.

Basically Postal can get these boys to ride their hearts out. Is it the preparation, Bruyneel? I'm impressed.

I think if Lance retires, guys like Basso should be all over the new Discovery team to ride for Bruyneel. This is clearly now the smartest and strongest organization in professional cycling.

...and the skuttlebut I hear is that Floyd Landis may be replaced by Levi Leipheimer (spelling?) next year. Seems like a net loss for Team Discovery, but they can't keep Floyd against his will... (nothing against Levi, but he's not Floyd - OR - maybe he will be after the postie boys get finished with him (again).

I suspect Team Discovery will be strong and will be working for Lance next year. He's still too dominant to pass the torch.

Lance will ride again 2005 Tour.

He loves to win and in this Tour, he's brilliant.

[b]Must be magic to be on his team.[/b]
His team-mates ride with all their heart, and great discipline.

It's American Levi Leipheimer who rides for Rabobank. He used to ride for Postal in 2001 and got third in the Tour of Spain that year and was touted as the next great Tour rider.

He's had some bad luck in 2002 and 2003. I think he crashed in stage 1 last year where Tyler broke his collar bone and that ended his 2003 Tour.

But at Levi's age (he'll be 31 in October), I see him as a very good addition but never a Team Leader or the next great American. Moving back to Postal would probably be a very wise move.