José "Ace" Azevedo leaving Discovery Channel

Disco announced that José “Ace” Azevedo is leaving the team at the end of 2006 to race locally in Portugal.  While this is clearly a big loss, a couple of questions come to my mind.

• First, do you think we will get a quote from Lance along the lines of José Who?
• Second, do you think this is an indication that Ace doesn’t think that Disco can win?

I am concerned that Disco has become nothing more than a hype machine.  Until Johan/Dirk/Sean/Lance hire a No. 1 and treat him that way, we are in for a period of celebrating 9^th place finishes.