Word that I hear is that Roger Hammond will sign with T-Mobile next year, and that Discovery did not offer him a new contract. As I said before, I am sorry to see him go. And another great guy who is leaving, Max Van Heeswijk, won the first stage of the Tour of Poland yesterday.

Thanks to the heads-up from a reader that I was forgetting Max - that brings my count up to eight riders who are leaving Discovery Channel... so far.

Are you reading Michael Barry's diary on VeloNews? He's a good writer and really keeps us up-to-date on what's happening with the team at the Vuelta. Yesterday, at rest day, Michael said that Chechu and Benjamin took the team for a sight-seeing ride around Gijon and then out for drinks on a terrace overlooking the water. Now that is the way to spend Rest Day! If Chechu is involved, it's bound to be classy....