2004 Team ILLES BALEARES NEW BEGINNING The former Banesto team is in the course of re-thinking itself after a change of sponsorship and the loss of six of its best riders over the winter. The changes have given the team a new look, and real hope for a good Tour with riders like the young Russians Denis Menchov and Vladimir Karpets, along with the established Spanish climbers Francesco Mancebo and Aitor Osa. Also awaited with impatience is the Tour debut of the exciting José Ivan Gutierrez, who can sprint, time trial and climb. He’ll be a candidate for a stage win, as will the faithful Pablo Lastras and José Garcia Acosta. TEAM Daniel Becke Germany Age: 26 Wins: 0 José V. Garcia Acosta Spain Age: 31 Wins: 7 José I.Gutierrez Palacios Spain Age: 25 Wins: 7 Vladimir Karpets Russia Age: 23 Wins: 0 Xabier Zandio Spain Age: 27 Wins: 0 Francisco Mancebo Spain Age: 28 Wins: 8 Denis Menchov Russia Age: 26 Wins: 3 Aitor Osa Spain Age: 30 Wins: 5 Mikel Pradera Rodriguez Spain Age: 29 Wins: 0 Sponsor: Balearic Islands government Web site: www.illesbalears-banesto.com 2004 budget: $6.6 million Manager: José Miguel Echavarri Directeur sportif: Eusebio Unzue Assistants: José Jaimerena, Alfonso Galilea Team created: 1990 (Reynolds, then Banesto) 2003 wins: 17 Past Tours: 15th year participating; 5 GC wins (Miguel Induráin 1991-95), 15 stage wins, 2 best young rider classification (Francisco Mancebo 2000, Denis Menchov 2003), 2 team classification wins (1991, 1999) EQUIPMENT Bike: Opéra Components: Campagnolo Wheels: Campagnolo Apparel: Nalini   OTHER TEAMS: Ag2R - AB - BLB - COF - CA - CSC - DV - EE - FB - FDJ - GERO - IBB - LS - LOTO - PHO - QSD - RABO - RAGT - SAE - TMO - USPS