Do you have words or phrases that annoy you? Soulmate is one of those words for me. The word strikes me as a new age, touch feely word. When I see a personal ad with or hear someone use the word I immediately am wary of the woman. It's just reflex. People that use the term are probably perfectly nice people but it is a hurdle I set up that they would have to clear at some point.

News of the Day
A couple days ago Jose Maria Jimenez died at the age of 32. Jose was a very good climber who some had tabbed as a threat for Grand Tour victory. He never realized those somewhat lofty expectations but was often an rider who animated stages once they reached the mountains. Two years ago he suddenly retired because of depression with hopes to make a possible return.

Jimenez though died of heart problems. His death is disturbing since he is the 4 euro pro to die this year. Three of those deaths were heart related. You cannot help but wonder what part that performance enhancing products may have played in those heart problems. He was never caught cheating so I do not wish to imply that he did. Three deaths in one year is enough to raise suspicions about what products professional cyclists might be taking and what those products might be doing to the short and long-term health of the athlete. Let's hope that he truly did pass away due to "natural" causes.

Postal replaces Heras
--from ProCycling
After numerous rumours all through this week, both Roberto Heras and the US Postal team have confirmed that the Spaniard has accepted an offer to join Manolo Saiz’s Liberty Seguros team on a three-year contract.

The official confirmation came on the US Postal website. The indications are that 29-year-old Heras will continue to earn his current salary of 1.2 million euros a season for the next three years. Some sources are reporting that Liberty will have to pay US Postal a buy-out requirement of 1.38 million euros to secure Heras.

Heras effectively replaces Joseba Beloki at the head of Saiz’s team, which now has a much stronger look than it did earlier in the week when it was still lacking an outstanding figurehead. Heras joins Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano and Isidro Nozal in a three-pronged attack that should prove very exciting if the trio all line up at the Tour de France.

Bizarrely, Heras’s place as Lance Armstrong’s first lieutenant at US Postal will be taken by a rider recently discarded by Saiz. José Azevedo, who finished sixth in the 2002 Tour, has opted out of a pre-agreement he made to lead the Portuguese Milaneza-MSS team in favour of a guaranteed Tour spot with US Postal.

US Postal team boss Johan Bruyneel told Reuters: "A few days ago Heras’s lawyer told us that he wanted to leave the team. Apparently he has received an offer of a three-year contract to lead another team. We aren't happy with the situation, but if Roberto wants to leave there is nothing we can do to stop him."

With Heras on his way, the next rumour is already starting. Spanish papers are saying that Kelme are negotiating to sign Alexandre Vinokourov instead of Angel Casero. You can understand the thinking, but statements from Kelme today suggest nothing could be further from the truth…

Opinion
Good move by USPS given the late date. There is no one available that would completely fill the role of Heras in the mountains. Azevedo, though, is a strong rider and should do well in setting a tempo during the early and mid sections of the high mountains.

News of the day
--from BBC Sport
Heras 'set for US Postal exit'

Tour of Spain winner Roberto Heras wants to leave US Postal and head a new team in next year's Tour de France, according to reports.

Heras is said to have been sounded out by the manager of the new Spanish-based Liberty Seguros outfit, Manolo Saiz.

US Postal director Johan Bruyneel told Spanish sports daily Marca that Heras had begun moves to negotiate his exit from the American team.

The 29-year-old Spaniard has a year left on his current contract.

Brunyeel said: "A few days ago his lawyer told us that he wanted to leave the team. Apparently he has received an offer of a three-year contract to lead another team.

"We aren't happy with the situation, but if Roberto wants to leave there is nothing we can do to stop him."

Heras refused to comment, telling Marca: "I can neither deny nor confirm the reports."

Bitter battle

He was at the centre of a similar row when he joined US Postal from the Kelme team at the beginning of 2001.

Following a bitter contractual battle he left the Spanish-based team after US Postal agreed to pay compensation.

Heras has been one of Lance Armstrong's most influential team-mates during the last three Tours.

He played a key role in shepherding the American through the mountains on his way to a fifth straight victory earlier this year.

Heras confirmed his status as one of the world's best climbers with a brilliant performance on his way to victory in this year's Vuelta, and some believe he is one of the few riders capable of challenging Armstrong in the Tour.

OpinionHeras is a very good GC rider and one of the best climbers in the world, as his two Vuelta wins show. However, winning the Vuelta is not the same as winning the Tour. He is capable of perhaps finishing on the podium in the Tour but ultimately his TT abilities will doom his chances of victory. I like the guy and do not begrudge his desire to be a team leader. He is not the first rider to make more money and try to make a name for himself rather than ride in the shadow of Lance. Lance will probably retire after this year though and Heras would likely have ascended to team leadership. This is US Postal's last year of sponsorship under the current agreement. If Lance retires it is very possible US Postal retires as a team. That may well have been an influence in Heras decision.