Cycling4all is reporting that a bunch of riders including Zabriskie have contracts with Slipstream for next year. Also reporting that Slipstream has a new co-sponsor ABN AMRO, which is a global banking group, and along with restaurant chain Chipotle's sponsorship, the budget will be 8 million Euros.

USA Professional team Slipstream has big plans for next year and gives some hope for a new future of pro-cycling. Under the management of ex-pro rider Jonathan Vaughters, assisted by a.o. ex-pro Frankie Andreu, the team seems to have (pre-)contracted already several top-riders for next year. Named are  a.o.

Marcus Backstedt (Swe) = Liquigas; David Cañada Gracia (Spa) and David Millar (GBr) = both Saunier; Christophe Laurent (Fra) = Crédit Agricole; David Zabriskie (Usa) = Team Riis; Martijn Maaskant (Ned) = Rabo Continental, who should have signed for 2 years leider, while also Jérôme Pineau (Fra) and Thomas Voeckler (Fra) = both Bouyges Telecom seems to be contracted.

New sponsor of the team will be Chipotle (a Mexican restaurant chain) and as co-sponsor ABN AMRO is named. The budget should be around 8 million Euro next year.

They aim for a doping-free cycling world. Each year - each rider will go through 50 bloodtests and 50 urine tests; which seems to be much more (5 times) than the average team is doing. The costs (around 20.000 dollar per rider) are payed by the Agency for Cycling Ethics, which got their money from gifts and (co-)sponsors.

This team will not apply for a Pro Tour licence as - in their opinion - the participation in the 3 Major Tours it too much for the team. But they are now lobying already for a wild-card in the biggest event, The Tour de France.