U.S. Postal Service

In the peloton since 1995

Sponsor: American postal service
Budget: $5.6 million
Manager: Mark Gorski
Directeur sportif: Johan Bruyneel
Assistants: Dirk Demol, Frankie Andreu

Riders
ARMSTRONG Lance (USA)   September 18, 1971
EKIMOVOV Viatcheslav (Rus)
HERAS Roberto  (Sp)   February 21, 1974
HINCAPIE George  (USA)   June 29, 1973
JOACHIM Benoît  (Lux)   January 14, 1976
LANDIS Floyd  (USA)   October 14, 1975
PADRNOS Pavel  (Cz)   December 17, 1970
PEÑA Victor Hugo  (Col)   July 10, 1974
RUBIERA José Luis  (Sp)    January 21, 1973

Primed and ready
U.S. Postal was built slowly but surely with input from the formerMotorola team. In this 2002 season, the priority of priorities is, as always,the Tour de France and a fourth consecutive coronation for Lance Armstrong.Every effort has been made to reach this goal, and not a single observerwould dare place a dollar on the defeat of the American champion. All themore since he has already demonstrated his power in the early-season racesand appears primed and ready. The team’s motto for the 2002 Grande Boucleis therefore: “All behind Lance.” Even though Tyler Hamilton and Levi Leipheimerhave departed for other teams, the squad will not be much weakened. Withinthe team, George Hincapie will also have to play his game well on the flats,as will Roberto Heras in the mountains.TEAM WINS
2001
ARMSTRONG: Tour de France, overall and four stages; Tour ofSwitzerland, overall and two stages.
EKIMOV: Tour of Valencia, one stage.
HINCAPIE: Ghent-Wevelgem; San Francisco GP.
KJAERGAARD: Vestfold-Horten.2002
PEÑA: Tour of Murcia.
ARMSTONG: Midi Libre; Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré
HERAS: Tour of CatalunyaINTERVIEW
Johan Bruyneel, directeur sportif:
“It’s no secret, Armstrong is aiming, obviously enough, for a fourthconsecutive Tour. But as in before the start of the Tour, nothing is wonin advance, even though Lance has taken great care with his preparation.Still as meticulous, he has explored most of the big stages, especiallythe individual and team time trials. Without doubt, he will make it a pointof honor to win this year’s event, for last year we were hit with bad luck.Lance will be very strong again, and the man who wants to defeat him willhave to chase him down.”