From www.cyclingnews.com interview with Johan B.:
CN: What about Leif Hoste? He exploded in the 2004 Spring Classics with
great rides in Flanders (2nd) and Paris-Roubaix [12th].
JB: People have seen his talent for a long time; when he was junior, he won
the GP Eddy Merckx TT and rode faster than the amateur winner. Then he was
pro with Mapei's U23 team and had a difficult start in the pro's. But he
showed his talent this season and we jumped at the opportunity to bring him
on the team for the classics. Leif will be focusing on classics like
Flanders, Gent-Wevelgem and Roubaix. He'll be part of the core with George
[Hincapie], Max [Van Heeswijk], Eki and Roger Hammond. For the Ardennes
classsics, that's where Lance will focus.
CN: So it looks like Lance won't ride the Tour Of Georgia [April 19-24],
which conflicts with the Amstel Gold race, Flèche Wallonne and
Liège-Bastogne-Liège?
JB: No, but the [Discovery Channel Pro Cycling] team is scheduled to
participate.
--
Bob C.
"Of course it hurts. The trick is not minding that it hurts."
T. E. Lawrence (of Arabia)