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News :: May 2005

6 May 2005

7 May News ...

Danielson Interview: Time with Tom before the Giro d'Italia

Danielson Final GC Tour of Georgia, photo: Tour of Georgia

Tom Danielson has just won America's grand tour and is ready to tackle Italy's grand tour. He will be backing up Paolo Savoldelli ("Il Falco") but many are tipping Tom as the Discovery Channel man to watch out for. And why not? Tom has won the Tour of Langkawi in 2003, then cut his teeth with Fassa Bortolo, and has the TT/Climbing skills to get the job done in the big races. BiciRace.com caught up with Tom in Spain and we talked about a wide range of subjects, from Georgia to Italy, LeMond to Pinarello, and of course, Lance Armstrong. Read on and learn more about this rising star.

BiciRace.com: Ciao Tom. Thanks for taking the time to join BiciRace.com for an interview. A lot has happened since we last traded emails during the Pais Vasco. You have now won America's grand tour, the Tour of Georgia. Was it your goal going into the Tour of Georgia to go for the GC?
Tom Danielson: No, my goals were to work for Lance Armstrong. I was just super motivated to be there riding with Lance. He's riding really strong. I wanted to do a good race to show him and the team that I was strong, and to help give the team the victory.
Read the entire BiciRace.com interview with Tom Danielson.

Maglia Verde (Climber's Jersey)

"Verde" translates to green, and this green jersey is determined on points gained over classified climbs.

Our guess is that the GC men will figure highly in the climbers competition, but don't bet on Cunego killing himself for mountain points. A more likely bet would be the Mexican climbing ace, Julio Perez Cuapio (Panaria-Navigare) or one of the several pint sized Colombian climbers on the Selle Italia squad. These boys love it when the road tilts upwards and will be looking to grab some publicity for their sponsors. Read about all the Giro d'Italia Classifications.
- Paco

Portuguese, Ribeiro, First Giro Casualty

The Portuguese rider, Nino Ribeiro of Liberty Seguros-Würth, is the first rider to be excluded from starting in this year's Giro d'Italia. In this morning's dope control carried out by the UCI, the rider turned in a hematocrit level of 52 percent. It should be pointed out that this is not a 'positive' test, but rather his hematocrit is now at a level that UCI feels jeopardizes his health.

Last Tuesday most of the Liberty Seguros team (with the exception of Baranowski, Scarponi and Caruso) met in Madrid to carry out their own dope controls under the guidance of team doctors. At that point, Ribeiro turned in three samples varying between 47 and 48 percent, which he attributed to training at altitude. Since the values were under the 50 percent threshold, Ribeiro got the green light from team management.

Even yesterday in Reggio Calabria, dope controls that were carried out gave him a reading of 48.5 percent. However, due to a combination of traveling and little training recently, it was considered a reasonable level to start the Giro. This morning at 7:45 a subsequent control was carried out in which the rider turned in a level of 52 percent. In spite of the anomalies, Liberty management is not questioning the results and is cooperating fully with the UCI at this point.

Where does this leave Ribeiro? He will now travel to Lausanne (UCI headquarters) where a series of tests will be carried out to attempt to explain this anomaly. Should the rider turn in a 'positive' test, he could face immediate termination by his team as mandated by a clause in his contract as well as by a code of ethics signed by all Pro Tour teams.
- Paco

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

Saul Raisin In France

Saul Raisin Climbing, photo: Tour of Georgia

In a text message to BiciRace.com, Saul Raisin (Credit Agricole) explained that his first foray in the 4 Days of Dunkirk has not been so positive. The 22 year old (winner of 2003 Tour of Georgia Best Young Rider) cracked his hip and collarbone on stage 1 and is lying in a hospital bed with nothing but his mobile phone as a companion. The news is not so bad though as there is no permanent damage and he should be back in action in a week or two.

BiciRace.com send our best wishes out to Saul. Follow all of the 4 Days of Dunkirk on BiciRace.com
- Paco

The Clásica de Alcobendas

The Clásica de Alcobendas didn't make the cut in the new UCI Pro Tour format, but that shouldn't keep the big names away from this tough race. Held in the outskirts of Madrid, it is a two day, three stage affair. Like the other Continental races held in Spain, the Spanish riders on the smaller teams will be riding out of their skin for a victory. Read about the Spanish race action at the Clásica de Alcobendas.
- Paco

5 May News ...

Michael Barry "As I kid I devoured everything I could about cycling."

Joseba Beloki Interview, "I'm not a real attacking kind of rider, but to attack one needs to have both confidence and physical strength to spare."

He was often criticized by the nay-sayers for not getting over the big mountains. True, he never made it to Paris. But, he knows his talents. He got paid to win races and get publicity for his sponsors., "The End of an Era"

"Every sprint is always different. There are always things going through my mind. The main thing I do is stay concentrated on the job and trying to get in the best position possible!" - Allan Davis

Chat with the Director Sportivo, "By the way, we passed really hard times in the 4th stage of the Tour of Georgia"

What is the Ciclamino?

Cunego, faded on the Mur de Huy, read all there is to know about the La Flèche Wallonne. BiciRace.com brings you the coverage!!

Race action from Paris-Roubaix, the cobbles are painful, read why