Record number of Aussies in Tour (again)

chickasmith

So the lists are not finalised but there looks as though there could be as
many as 8 or 9 (or even more) Aussies in this years tour:

Definites ?
Bradley McGee fdj.com - prologue favourite, especially now as it seems David
Millar will not go due to his admission of EPO use (to be continued ...)
Baden Cooke fdj.com - green jersey in 2003 and will go for it again plus a
few stage wins.
Stuart O'Grady Cofidis - two spells in the yellow jersey in previous tours,
he may want it again in the first week, plus one or two stages.
Matthew White Cofidis - finally to get a start in the Tour after three years
with the US Postal Service where he was constantly denied the chance to ride
the race.
Michael Rogers Quick Step-Davitamon - potentially the best hope for overall
now unless Cadel Evans surprisingly obtains a tour call up.
Robbie McEwen Lotto-Domo - green jersey in 2002 will be going for it again.
Nick Gates - former Australian road champion to help McEwen in the sprints.
Hopefully can make the finish in his second tour after last year abandoning
with bronchitis.
Scott Sunderland - can you believe that this will be only Scott's second
tour appearance after last riding the race in 1996?

Probable?
Matthew Wilson fdj.com - current Australian champion, eliminated last year
when failed to take his asthma pump ...

Maybe?
Allan Davis Liberty Seguros - young sprinter recently won a field sprint in
the Tour of Germany and had several good sprint finishes. Probably too
young this time and with possible winner Heras in the team, it would be a
surprise if he was brought along ...

On the beach already ...
Cadel Evans - T-Mobile. Its been all downhill really since he took the
maglia rosa in the Tour of Italy in 2002. Was scheduled to ride the Tour
last year but injury forced him out (he broke his collarbone three times in
2003 - ouch!). Was scheduled to ride this year too, but with 'ginger nuts'
back in the fold, has been designated to stay at home in Switzerland (and
look for other employment as he is wasting his time there ... just like
Botero and Savoldelli)

I think Scott Sunderland's recent diary mentions how Telekom signs up talent
and then 'smothers' them as they ride for 'pork pies' ...