All teams (with the exception of Astana and, of course Unibet) are preparing themselves for a big couple of weeks with the Eneco Tour imminent not to mention a host of one-day races in Italy and Belgium. Team announcements have been made and I suggest you visit team websites (click the links over there on the right) for the latest team selections. 

The Astana Team have announced that they intend on getting back to business in September starting with the Pro Tour event, the Grand Prix de Plouay in France. Once again, as part of the announcement the Astana Team Management have assured all who will listen that they are determined to set up a system of independent and external anti-doping measures for the team.

The rumours about Milram's main sponser Nordmilch pulling their backing after Joerg Jaksche's allegations have proven to be unfounded. The boss of Nordmilch, Martin Mischel has said, "I don't see why we shouldn't continue". Their current contract is in force until 2009.

Credit Agricole have announced that Laszlo Bodrogi has renewed his contract with the team for the 2008 season. They have also announced their Vuelta a Espana team with the leader being Pietro Caucchioli and he will be led through the mountain passes by Alexandre Botcharov and Remi Pauriol.

The Lampre-Fondital team are still basking in the glory of Alessandro Ballan's victory in Sunday's Vattenfall Cyclassics in Hamburg. "We've been perfect and we obtained the victory even if some accidents happened - Guido Bontempi commented, talking about the crash suffered in the last 2 kilometres by Claudio Corioni. Bontempi does admit that Corioni's crash probably had a big influence over the final result which is true considering it took out Thor Hushovd.

Quickstep - Innergetic have assured us that, apart from a few cuts and bruises, Tom Boonen looks to have suffered no major ill effects after the fall with 20km to go that he suffered during the Vattenfall Cyclassics.

Team CSC experienced Dane Nicki Sørensen's season is over after he suffered an accident at home in which he broke three bones in his foot. "He's really upset, because he' been looking forward to doing Tour of Ireland, Vuelta a España and of course the World Championships," said CSC sports director Kim Anderson. On another note, the team has signed 24 year old Lasse Bøchmann from the Glud & Marstrand Horsens as new team stagliare.