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News :: May 2005

3 May 2005

4 May News ...

A Future Aussie Super-Star

2005 Vuelta Ciclista a Murcia, photo: Liberty Seguros-Würth

Allan Davis has been knocking on the door the last few seasons. At just 24 years of age, Davis has stepped it up a notch in 2005 and has established himself as the man to beat. Make a note of his name because Allan Davis is the future of sprinting. BiciRace.com recently had a chat with the easy going Aussie and found out what makes him tick.
Interviewed by Paco of BiciRace.com

BiciRace.com: Hello Allan. Thanks so much for giving BiciRace.com a few minutes of your time. You have had a fantastic season so far. When you were a youngster in Australia did you ever imagine that you would one day be living in Spain racing bicycles for a living?
Allan Davis: I had always hoped of one day racing as a professional in Europe. Cycling has been a part of my family for a long time.
Read the entire BiciRace.com interview with Allan Davis.

Giro d'Italia Classifications

Maglia Ciclamino (Sprinter's Jersey): Ciclamino is a type of flower that has a purple color, thus this jersey is named "Maglia Ciclamino". Highly sought after by fast-men, the ciclamino jersey is determined by points gained on the finishing line.

We have two words for you: Alessandro Petacchi. Lets be honest, is there any rider out there that can beat an on form Ale-Jet? Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto), Jaan Kirsipuu (Credit Agricole) and Stuart O'Grady (Cofidis) will give it all they've got, but don't expect much. Realistically, their only hope will be for Petacchi to abandon the race.
Complete Giro d'Italia Classifications.

Illes Balears-Caisse d'Epargne for the Giro d'Italia

The boys in blue and white will show up to the start line in Reggio Calabria with the following riders: Joan Horrach, David Navas, Isaac Galvez, Vicente Reynes, Unai Osa, Vladimir Karpets, Sergi Escobar, Jose Luis Carrasco, Antonio Tauler

Unai Osa and Vladimir Karpets will be the designated GC riders with the other forming a potent backup. Directing the team will be Eusebio Unzue and Alfonso Galilea.
- Paco

Euskaltel Euskadi for the Giro d'Italia

2005 marks a historic occasion for the Basque squad. This will be their first appearance in the Giro d'Italia. Making history for the boys in orange will be: Haimar Zubeldia, Aitor Gonzalez, Samuel Sánchez, Joseba Zubeldia, Alberto Lopez de Munain, Unai Etxebarria, Roberto Laiseka, David Lopez, Gorka Verdugo

Zubeldia (Haimar) will of course be their leader. He's had a quiet few years since his breakout 2003 Tour performance, but we have all seen what he's capable of. Aitor Gonzalez has a grand tour victory to his credit (Vuelta a España 2002), but he's kept a low profile since then. Look to Sánchez for a possible stage victory.
- Paco

Zabel Added to T-Mobile

Erik Zabel has been added to the T-Mobile Team for the Giro d'Italia. BiciRace.com readers may have noticed his solid win in the Rund um den Henninger Turm, his third career win in this race. Zabel's form is definitely on, and now maybe Alessandro Petacchi will have a worthy challenger in the sprints. Anytime there is a fast finish, Zabel will give Petacchi a strong challenge, making for some exciting racing. This now leaves Zabel fans to wonder if he will be included in the Tour de France roster.

Zabel on his form, "I am going great guns at the moment and I believe that the Giro fits well to my programme." Usually Zabel would stay at home during the Giro, "May always used to be my race-free month, but now I want to try something new."

The full T-Mobile Team line-up for the Giro: Erik Baumann, Matthias Kessler, André Korff, Daniele Nardello, Olaf Pollack, Jan Schaffrath, Bram Schmitz, Christian Werner and Erik Zabel.

Read BiciRace.com's pink pages for toe-to-knee coverage of the 88th Giro d'Italia, including the developing startlist.

Varese, a Comune Overflowing with Favorites

And what about the guys from Varese Italy? If you were to put Daniele Nardello, Ivan Basso, Stefano Garzelli, Stefano Zanini, and Charly Wegelius all on the same team then you would have a super squad. But as it is, most of them are on separate squads and all have their own hopes and roles.

Stefano Zanini is an experienced ace who will be helping out the boys at Quick-Step for stages. Daniele Nardello a is top-notch rider, always willing to help his team, and he will be there for the German T-Mobile squad. Charly Wegelius is there strictly for Stefano Garzelli and Dario Cioni as they push for a Liquigas-Bianchi victory. Garzelli's chances are moving past as the years change, but don't discount this 2000 Giro d'Italia champion. Then there is Ivan Basso of Team CSC, the man is unstoppable and everyone will be watching him, from Cunego to Clerc. He has solid time-trialing and can climb with the best, which makes him a hot favorite.

Great Weather in the Toe

The weather should be great for Saturday's opening prologue in Reggio Calabria. The specialist with the fancy radars have forecasted clear skies and a maximum of 23°C (or 73°F).

2 May News ...