March 31, 2005

CSC's Bobby Julich Wins Paris Nice and Criterium International

NICE, France – With the 2005 road season barely underway, Bell-sponsored Team CSC has already landed on the podium in two major early-season stage races. And 34 year-old Bobby Julich also proved that Lance Armstrong isn’t the only American who can win in Europe.

In the seven-stage Paris Nice, things got off to a good start for CSC when Jens Voigt stormed to victory in the prologue. Then Bobby Julich made it into a critical stage 4 breakaway and moved up to third overall as the race headed into the mountains. In stage 5, climbing specialists Gilberto Simoni and Cadel Evans stole the day, but Julich stole the overall lead with just two stages to go. With familiar roads ahead (Julich’s European home is in Nice) and a strong team at his side, Julich had no trouble defending the lead to take one of the biggest victories of his career.

Two weeks later, Julich would find himself poised for victory in the three-stage Criterium International. CSC had intended to put Jens Voigt in the overall leader’s jersey, but Julich’s third-place finish in stage 2 (ahead of his CSC teammates Ivan Basso in fourth and Jens Voigt in sixth) had him within reach of overall victory.

CSC riders dominated the wet, cobblestone roads of the stage 3 final time trial, with Julich, Voigt and Kurt-Asle Arvesen sweeping the podium. Julich edged past stage 2 winner Thomas Dekker of Rabobank to take the overall victory, and CSC placed another four riders in the overall top ten.

Bobby Julich and Team CSC ride the Bell Sweep.