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News :: May 2005

18 May 2005

19 May News ...

Lance Armstrong at Giro d'Italia

Lance Armstrong at Giro, photo: DD

Yesterday the 6x Tour de France Champion, Lance Armstrong, made an appearance at the Giro d'Italia. "I came for a surprise visit," said Armstrong in regards to visiting the team on their rest day. He popped in at the Hotel Adimiral in Cesenatico, where the team was staying.

Armstrong arrived yesterday and will fly out today to Girona, his euro-base, before traveling back to Texas for some family time. Then for the non-stop rocker, it is back to Europe for the Tour de France build-up and the Dauphiné Libéré.

Even though Armstrong is traveling a lot he watches the Giro, "I have not missed a single stage. I organize my training and my day to be in front of the TV. I tune into EuroSport and see all." BiciRace.com can only assume that the Tour de France champion is tuning into our pink pages as well.

Regarding his teammate, and past Giro winner, "Paolo [Savoldelli] is great, a complete rider and has a lot of experience. I see him on the podium in Milano. ... We will see how he goes in the big mountains. He pleased me on the Sammommè." But Armstrong tips his hat to Ivan Basso, "Basso is certainly the favorite ... If in the mountains he goes like he did last year in the Tour, he will be difficult to beat."

A Recap of the Giro Stages

Bettini Sprints and Cooke Crashes

Yesterday was a rest day in Ravenna, it was a time to reflect on the first stages of this year's Giro d'Italia. There have been many leaders, unexpected results and one Petacchi win. Have a look at the pictorial recap and relive the memories of the "flat" days.

BiciRace.com Chats with the Director Sportivo, Matteo Algeri
Yesterday BiciRace.com caught up with Matteo Algeri (Saunier Duval - Prodir) at the Giro d'Italia rest day. Matteo gave his thoughts on the first portion of the Giro d'Italia. Also, Matteo has been out on the team bikes again, in the rain!

Matteo: Hey BiciRace! What's up?
BiciRace.com: How was the rest day?
Matteo: I'm just back from 50 km ride in bad weather!
BiciRace.com: On your own or with the team?
Matteo: on my own
Matteo: It is raining, so no race with ex-pros.
Matteo: There was supposed to be a race in Cervia with all the ex-pros of the Giro.
BiciRace.com: None of them would race in the rain?
Matteo: Yep...unfortunately the rain came and race was cancelled.
Read more of the Chat with the Director Sportivo, Matteo Algeri

Dust Devil's Daily Wrap: From the Heart

Yesterday was the Giro d'Italia's rest day and the Dust Devil took a deep look at why this race presents a different kind of style. "In the Tour de France you would have to go back to the days of Bernard Hinault to see that kind of lunacy!" Read the Dust Devil's Daily Wrap, From the Heart

Scarponi Optimistic About Giro
Michele Scarponi might be on a Spanish team, but he's very much an Italian and would love nothing more than to notch this year's Giro in his palmarès. As of the rest day, Scarponi is sitting in a respectable 13th place, 2:28 behind the leader, Danilo Di Luca. After a leisurely two hour spin today along the coastal route between Ravenna and Venice, Scarponi admittedly felt good, but his optimism was guarded.

After the TT, he feels Basso is the man to beat, though he fancies his own chances for a high place on GC. "For me, the real Giro begins on Thursday. The best Michele has arrived and now everything can change from here to Milan." When asked to put forth a prediction for the race, his reply was, "This year is not like the past, it isn't as easy to say who will win the Giro because there are many favorites and the race can change from day to day. It will be fascinating for the fans to see." Indeed it will!
- Paco

Stage 10, Flat and Rainy
Today's Giro d'Italia stage 10 is pancake flat, take a look at the stage profile. But that does not mean there won't be some serious racing. Many of the guys who will not figure in the mountains tomorrow will try an escape today, and the sprint teams will do all they can to stop them.

The riders leave Piazza Garibadli in Ravenna at noon. They will be traveling north for 212K, ending in Rossano Veneto. There is rain on the forecast for all day, with temperatures around 20°C, making for a cool and wet day. The riders will face three wet circuits of 5.2K once they reach Ravenna.

Toe-to-knee coverage on the 88th Giro d'Italia (we are now around the calf)
Startlist, Classifications, Dust Devil's Daily Wrap
Key Stages, Stages and Maps, Overall Map
Photos

Day for the Rookies in Catalunya

Yesterday the celeste Liquigas-Bianchi machine was in full force. This time it was not the Giro d'Italia, but the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya stage 2. The Liquigas boys gave their 23 year old neo pro sprinter, Enrico Gasparotto, a textbook lead out which he nicely capitalized on taking the win ahead of Claudio Corioni, Thor Hushovd and Fred Rodriguez.

17 May News ...

Dave Zabriskie Getting Kisses at the Giro, Adding to Andy Hampsten, Greg LeMond and Ron Keifel, Fred Rodriguez and Tyler Hamilton before him, David Zabriskie put his name down as one of the few Americans to score a stage victory in the Giro d'Italia.

Stefano Garzelli - "I have heard of Danielson and I know that he is very strong in the climbs. Together with Paolo, they will be a very terrible twosome!"

Pedro Delgado Interview - "In my opinion, of the directors I know, I like Vicente Belda the most."

Chat with the Director Sportivo, "Very beautiful and "rigida"( how do you say in English?)"

Tom Danielson Interview, Before the Giro d'Italia, "We looked at Lance a lot for that stage. And if I was able to do it, then I was going to try to do it. Lance had a lot of faith in me, and kind of stressed me out a little bit..."

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"