BiciRace.com :: News :: April 2005

News :: April 2005

4 April 2005

Boonen, The New King

Tom Boonen pulled off a huge classic win yesterday in the Tour of Flanders. The win was Boonen's most important Belgian victory. Back in the early days with US Postal, a highlight of his 2002 season was when he finished third in the Paris-Roubaix behind Museeuw and Wesemann. He then made his way to the powerful Quick-step squad in 2003, where he would learn from the King of the Belgium Classics, Johann Museeuw. Boonen's 2004 season was a phenomenal year, winning 20 races, two stages in the Tour de France and also the Gent-Wevelgem. This year, Boonen doesn't seem to be slowing down a bit. He has taken wins in Qatar, Paris Nice, and GP Harelbeke. Look out for Boonen this Sunday for a possible Paris-Roubaix victory!

Cunego And Basso Meet In Spain

From today to Friday, the Tour of Basque Country will take place in Spain. This ProTour race will be the first meeting of Damiano Cunego and Ivan Basso, as they both prepare for a Giro d'Italia assault in May. Cunego and Basso are hot favorites for the Giro d'Italia and there are bound to be some exciting moments in the Tour of Basque Country as they both aim for a Giro success.

Other stars of note will be at the Tour of Basque Country too. The last winner Menchov, Mayo, Heras, Vinokourov, Klöden, Julich, Kirchen and Voigt. But the Tour of Basque Country also provides a great warm up for the Ardennes. Riders Rebellin, Valverde, Boogerd, Di Luca and Pellizotti will be there to warm up their legs. Keep your browser here for coverage of the Tour of Basque Country.

The Stages:
4 April, Stage 1, Zarautz - Zarautz 133 km
5 April, Stage 2, Zarautz- La Lejana 166 km
6 April, Stage 3, Ortuella - Vitoria 176 km
7 April, Stage 4, Vitoria - Alsasua 167 km
8 April, Stage 5a, Alsasua - Arantzazu 93 km
8 April, Stage 5b, Oñati - Oñati 9.3 km

ProTour rankings

ProTour rankings are available after yesterday's Tour of Flanders. Alessandro Petacchi is still in the lead, even though he did not compete yesterday. Danilo Hondo and Oscar Freire racked up lots of points in the early season races of the Tirreno-Adriatico and the Milano-Sanremo.

Leaders and Points:
1 Petacchi Alessandro (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 93
2 Freire Gomez Oscar (Esp) Rabobank 78
3 Hondo Danilo (Ger) Gerolsteiner 70
4 Boonen Tom (Bel) Quick Step 62
5 Julich Bobby (Usa) Team Csc 50
6 Klier Andreas (Ger) T-mobile Team 41
7 Valverde Belmonte Alejandro (Esp) Illes Balears - Caisse D'Epargne 41
8 Van Petegem Peter (Bel) Davitamon-lotto 35
9 Hincapie George (Usa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 35
10 Guidi Fabrizio (Ita) Phonak Hearing Systems 35

3 April News ...