Who Deserves to Be on Team Radioshack

Ben Bartenstein by Contributor Written on September 13, 2009

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CLONMEL, IRELAND - AUGUST 22:  Mark Cavendish of Great Britain and Columbia HTC chats to Lance Armstrong of the USA and Astana at the start of Stage Two of the 2009 Tour of Ireland from Clonmel to Killarney on August 22, 2009 in Clonmel, Ireland.  (Photo
Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

With Lance Armstrong forming the new Team Radioshack and cyclists already joining his team, I look at who deserves to be on his team. These cyclists add new dimensions to Lance's team that no team in the history of cycling has ever put together. They might not be the individuals who join Armstrong's team, but they definitely would make Team Radioshack the team-to-beat.

Lance Armstrong

MONTELIMAR, FRANCE - JULY 25:  Lance Armstrong of the USA and Astana in action on stage 20 of the 2009 Tour de France from Montelimar to Mont Ventoux on July 25, 2009 in Montelimar, France.  (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

Still one of the best cyclists in the world- if not the best- Armstrong looks for a change of scenery, creating his own team.

Andy Schleck

ANNECY, FRANCE - JULY 23:  Andy Schleck of Luxembourg and team Saxo Bank rides in the individual time trail during stage 18 of the 2009 Tour de France on July 23, 2009 in Annecy, France.  (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

Second place finisher in this year's Tour de France, Schleck will be the definite leader of the team after Armstrong retires in a year or two.

Levi Leipheimer

MONACO - JULY 03:  Levi Leipheimer of the USA and Astana train on the time trial course for 2009 Tour de France which begins on Saturday, on July 2, 2009 in Monaco.  (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

A good friend of Armstrong, Leipheimer is a talented rider and a lock to make the team.

George Hincapie

COLMAR, FRANCE - JULY 18:  George Hincapie of USA and team Colombia - High Road rides during stage 14 of the 2009 Tour de France from Colmar to Besancon on July 18, 2009 in Besancon, France. Hincapie cycled to the third place in the overall standings in s

Is an extremely important person, as he is the only rider to assist Armstrong in all seven of his Tour de France victories. Also, is a talented sprinter.

Andreas Kloden

VERBIER, SWITZERLAND - JULY 19:  Andreas Kloeden of Germany and team Astana crosses the finish line at the end of stage 15 of the 2009 Tour de France from Pontarlier to Verbier on July 19, 2009 in Verbier, Switzerland.  (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Image

Extremely talented cyclist, who is selfless enough to be a domestique. Kloden is another important member of this team.

Carlos Sastre

ANNECY, FRANCE - JULY 23:  Carlos Sastre of Spain and the Cervelo Test Team in action on stage 18 of the 2009 Tour de France, a 40km Time Trial around Lake Annecy, on July 23, 2009 in Annecy, France.  (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

Has previous experience winning the Tour de France as he won the 2008 race. He didn't have the best performance in this year's Tour, but he is still an elite cyclist.

Christian Vandevelde

CHOLET, FRANCE - JULY 08:  (EDITORS NOTE: THIS IMAGE WAS CREATED USING A WIDE ANGLE LENS) Christian Vandevelde of the USA and team Garmin-Chipotle in action during the first time trail of the 2008 Tour de France on July 8, 2008 in Cholet, France.  (Photo

Another extremely talented domestique, who has prior experience helping Armstrong win the yellow jersey.

Franco Pellizotti

TOULON, FRANCE - MARCH 11: Bram Tankink of Netherlands in action during the ascent of Mont Faron at the fifth stage of the Paris-Nice cycling race on March 11, 2005 in Toulon, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

One of the best climbers in cycling, Pellizotti won the polka dot jersey in this year's Tour.

Mark Cavendish

KILLARNEY, IRELAND - AUGUST 22:  Mark Cavendish of Great Britain and Columbia HTC celebrates winning Stage Two of the 2009 Tour of Ireland from Clonmel to Killarney on August 22, 2009 in Killarney, Ireland.  (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

Top sprinter in the world, would give Armstrong's team additional points and an added dimension.

Taylor Phinney

PRUSZKOW, POLAND - MARCH 27:  Taylor Phinney of the USA rides in the 1km TT at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships at the BGZ Arena on March 27, 2009 in Pruszkow, Poland.  (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

Development rider on Armstrong's Youth Trek-Livestrong team, Phinney could be the heir apparent to Armstrong. For now, he could be plugged in for different smaller races throughout the season.

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written on September 13, 2009 Opinion

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