David Zabriskie – The All American

There is something about Dave Z that is immensely likeable. There is a memorable quip after the London Prologue 2007 where a British reporter presumptuously asked, “Tell us about your disappointing ride.” Zabriskie answered “I never said I was disappointed, you did.” This was done in his Utahan drawl.
Another reason to like him is that he is a hard worker. He worked like a Trojan for Team CSC and gave up many chances for personal glory.

Before Landis’ fall from grace there was an excellent magazine article where Dave interviewed Floyd in a casual, tummy tickling repartee. Maybe it is because I am a WASP that I enjoyed their banter – but it is a better advertisement of intellect than say … some Spanish peasants who would be on the dole if it wasn’t for cycling. Not that intellect is a necessary factor for success – just look at … (self censored)

And he has a very attractive wife that fulfils the All-American hero tick box.

By all accounts his form is tip-top. His teammate Lucas Euser recently dropped subtle hints like: "Anyone who saw Dave train this winter knows that this guy means business and that he's the real deal. At training camp he was on fire and doing some really amazing things on the climbs."

Euser is proving to be right. Dave Z is sitting in biting distance of Levi Leipheimer after stage 2 of the ToC.

Levi is the shorter version of the All American hero, also with an attractive wife - except he is bald.

After overcoming maillot jaune tragedy, enslavement (to team leaders) and a broken vertebra Dave Z’s progress to the top step is returning. He is hot property again, and in an American team like Garmin-Slipstream he is sure to see more victories in 2009.