schmalz Firstly – how are you feeling and what are you up to? And most importantly, have you kept your facial hair?

Zabriskie I’m feeling pretty good, I am not up to much but training and training. I shaved on June 1st. 

schmalz Did you ever check out "The Wire"?

Zabriskie I watched the first two episodes and haven’t had much time since then.   

schmalz Isn’t it wonderful how our little VDV has grown up? In all seriousness, I think it’s awesome to see such a great guy getting his shot at the GC and doing so well, in fact, I’m getting very nervous watching him race, so I don’t want to say too much and jinx him. How do you feel seeing Christian doing so well?

Zabriskie Yeah it’s really exciting. He is such a nice guy it makes the race fun to watch for me.   

schmalz Are you watching the Tour? Do you wish you were in France to help VDV?

Zabriskie Yes, I am watching mainly the finishes at night. Yes that would be nice, but he has got a good bunch of guys around him that are doing a good job. 

schmalz Are you going to do the Vuelta?

Zabriskie No 

schmalz Does it feel any different to no longer be on a ProTour team?

Zabriskie Not really, bike racing is bike racing. 

schmalz How did you approach your comeback to training after your accident?

Zabriskie I always try to let it heal in the early stages and not push it to hard.  Once things are in place I begin and it is painful because I am a little out of shape but it comes back pretty fast. 

schmalz Does JV ever wear a tank top? Maybe we can ship him one?

Zabriskie I have never even seen the guy wear Levis so throw a pair of those in with the tank top. 

schmalz What in God’s name was Ricco thinking?

Zabriskie Yeah I don’t know, It’s like these guys don’t think.   

schmalz How long are your training rides now?

Zabriskie I did 4 hours behind the scooter today with some good climbs, and felt good. 

schmalz What’s you attitude like towards long training rides? Do you enjoy them? Do they feel like work? Would you rather be racing instead of training?

Zabriskie I don’t think you need to go over 5hrs very often. Endurance is usually the easiest thing to get, you just do some long ones. Yeah I enjoy them, I think they work better if there is some specific work added in during the ride. I don’t mind training, but racing is what I would prefer be doing during this time of year.

schmalz I know that Robbie McEwen is a "Simpsons" fan and you guys have joked during races, but have you ever chatted with Cadel during a race? Is he silent during races?

Zabriskie I haven’t talked with him too much. I think he is pretty quiet in the races. 

schmalz What do think of VDV’s chances for a podium spot? How will he win or lose the race?

Zabriskie It looks pretty good to me. If things stay the same I think he could easily hop over Frank in the last TT.