With the 2003 bike season concluded, cycle racing teams are building their rosters for next year, and the riders are considering their options for fat salaries and winning high-profile races.

This week it was announced that Roberto Heras -- one of US Postal's finest climbers and super domestique for Lance Armstrong -- is leaving the American team for the new Liberty Seguros team.

Heras, the winner of two grand tours in his Spanish homeland, will now be a rival to Armstrong as Lance seeks to win a record-breaking sixth Tour de France in 2004.

Other notable contenders include:

Joseba Beloki, who has signed to ride for the French Broiche la Boulangere team;

Tyler Hamilton, who left CSC to become team leader for the Swiss Phonak team (Tyler placed fourth in last year's Tour de France), and who will be supported by Oscar Sevilla from the defunct ONCE team, veteran Alex Zulle and former CSC teammate Nicholas Jalabert; and

Jan Ullrich, who has returned to Team Telecom (to be known as T-Mobile in 2004) where he will race alongside Alexander Vinokourov (Ullrich and Vino placed second and third in last year's Tour de France) and veterans Erik Zabel and Santiago Botero.

The 2004 Tour is seven months away, but I think we can say already that it will not be an easy ride for Lance.

[ December 12, 2003, 08:09 PM: Message edited by: dasher ]

The T-Mobile team will have many well known members. That will set up Ullrich has a strong contender. I wonder if all his team mates are willing to work for him in putting his interest first. Sometimes big egos together don't make a cohesive team.

You guys are great. I was laying in bed last night not sleeping, and all I could think about was how long away the biking season was... both the pros and my own. I got my bike out of the closet this morning and just sat on it, closing my eyes, remembering a warm sunny day on a country road.

Ah, anticipation.

The best news is that my local cable company is putting OLN in the main package, and you don't have to pay extra for the "sports package" anymore to get it.

[ December 11, 2003, 08:37 PM: Message edited by: Rickpw ]

I know this is sacrilege, but I am Armstronged out and hope that somebody beats him in 2004, ex-teammate or otherwise.

Zeno, I too wonder if the new T-Mobile team will gel. I think Vino has more discipline and drive than Ullrich. Vino will still be thinking of his fallen friend Kivilev, and that will give him even more determination.

The biggest problem, however, is the team manager. If I remember correctly, he wanted Ullrich off the team several years ago when Ully had his hit-and-run accident after taking the drug Ecstasy. He also insisted that Ullrich's coach leave if Ully returned to T-Mobile. That could create resentment later on.

And that manager was the idiot who claimed Tyler Hamilton was faking his collarbone injury. It's no surprise to you, Zeno: I'm pulling for Tyler to take the yellow jersey in 2004. And I forgot to mention Iban Mayo and Gilberto Simoni as other rivals for Armstrong. It's going to be one hell of a battle this July.

Rick, have you considered getting an indoor trainer for your bike? I have a Cycle Ops Fluid2 Trainer, and it makes riding indoors pretty decent. You get a good smooth ride and you can keep your heart rate up uninterrupted for a long time. You also get a video featuring a very young Tyler Hamilton.

Dasher, I tried the trainer. I just can't get into it. An hour on it feels like forever. Four hours out on the bike can feel like a breeze, but that all in one place thing makes me feel like a prisoner.

Show me any long time champion, and there will be no shortage of people wanting to see him fall. It's some kind of base reaction in humans. As for me, I say this about Lance: do I like absolutely everything about him as a person. Probably not. But he is a great, great champion, and if he can pull off another TDF victory, it will be an amazing accomplishment.

It will indeed be an amazing accomplishment if Lance wins number six.

For me, as a fan, the 2004 Tour de France can't help but be exciting. If Lance wins, we see history made. If another rider denies him, we witness an historic upset.

With the field of challengers so deep next year, there should be plenty of competition and not a boring day in the Tour.

[ December 17, 2003, 07:11 PM: Message edited by: dasher ]

I noticed a report today on cyclingnews.com that Lance announced he intends to ride the Tour de France in 2004 AND 2005. Perhaps he wants to end rumors about his retirement after this season. Could be he's overconfident, or maybe just playing head games with his rivals.

I also noticed that cyclingnews.com has an interview with a god.... Thor.

Thor is riding for Crédit Agricole. Always good to have supreme powers on your team. I hope Zeus is not on another team... wink

It seems early for Armstrong to have already made the decision to race in 2005. It could depend how he does and feels in 2004.

Some bike even in harsh winter environment. Someone mad the ice bike to bike in Antarctica. Large wheels on this bike!

Ice bike

Ice bike? Wild! And I can't even work up the will to bundle up in all the gear and go out when it's 30 degrees. Riding in the winter isn't much fun, but maybe if I keep that ice bike picture in my mind it will be motivation.

As 2003 comes to an end, there's a lot for cycling fans to anticipate in the first months of 2004.... team presentations in January, the announcement of the teams selected to ride the Tour de France (with the wild card teams announced later), the Spring classics in Europe.

For the next month, I won't be running until my plantar fasciitis heals.... so I will be riding indoors on the CycleOps trainer instead.

It's been a real pleasure discussing cycling with you guys. Have a great New Years, and keep the rubber side down!

Associated Press named Lance Armstrong male athlete of the year for 2003. Barry Bonds finished second.

Continue to keep us updated on the cycling news.