2004 Team LOTTO-DOMO ALL FOR MCEWEN There will be much pressure from the Belgian fans for Lotto to win at least one of the three stages that open the Tour in Belgium. Their best hope is that Aussie Robbie McEwen, who returned to his best form at the Giro, can surprise the Petacchi-Cipollini-Cooke forces and take the sprint at Charleroi or Namur. The Aussie should have great support from his Rik Verbrugghe and the rest of the team. On the tougher stages, the team’s best hope of a stage win comes from Axel Merckx. TEAM Christophe Brandt Belguim Age: 27 Wins: 1 Nick Gates Austraila Age: 32 Wins: 4 Thierry Marichal Belgium Age: 31 Wins: 5 Robbie Mcewen Australia Age: 32 Wins: 61 Axel Merckx Belgium Age: 31 Wins: 7 Koos Moerenhout Netherlands Age: 30 Wins: 7 Wim Vansevenant Belgium Age: 32 Wins: 1 Rik Verbrugghe Belgium Age: 24 Wins: 11 Aart Vierhouten Netherlands Age: 34 Wins: 4 Sponsors: National lottery, floor coverings Web site: www.lotto-domo.com 2004 budget: $7.2 million Manager: Christophe Sercu Directeur sportif: Marc Sergeant Assistants: Claude Criquelion, Henrik Redant Team created (under current name): 2003 2003 wins: 19 Past Tours: 2nd year participating EQUIPMENT Bike: Eddy Merckx Components: Campagnolo Wheels: Campagnolo Apparel: Vermarc   OTHER TEAMS: Ag2R - AB - BLB - COF - CA - CSC - DV - EE - FB - FDJ - GERO - IBB - LS - LOTO - PHO - QSD - RABO - RAGT - SAE - TMO - USPS