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2 June 2005

3 June News ...

Armstrong and Bruyneel for Il Falco Bergamasco

Lance Armstrong and Johann Bruyneel were not in Italy for the winning moments of the Giro d'Italia but they did keep in contact. The Discovery Channel leaders wanted to know every update as their Italian coworker, Paolo Savoldelli, fought for the maglia rosa Il Falco confirmed, "During the stages Armstrong called many times to Lapage [Discovery DS] to ask how the race was going and to give advice." For Savoldelli it was helpful, "Maybe someone would think that it was a small thing. For me it was huge."

For Savoldelli, knowing that his team's biggest players were watching over the race must have been motivation. Just when did Il Falco know that he had won his 2nd Giro d'Italia? According to him it was 5K from the finish on Sestriere, stage 19. In that final mountainous day that Gilberto Simoni was attacking like a rabid dog, along with Di Luca and Rujano.

Tyler Hamilton Files Appeal with CAS

Tyler Hamilton (formally of Phonak) has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). His appeal is against the United States Anti-Doping Agency's (USADA) decision of an imposed two-year suspension (starting from 18 April 2005). Hamilton is requesting CAS to annul the decision and to lift any penalties. Hamilton stated his appeal is because "[I] did not commit any violation to the anti-doping rules". A decision is expected within 4 months from CAS regarding the appeal.

Colle delle Finestre Returns

Jean-Marie Leblanc, director of the Tour de France, was at the Giro d'Italia for the last stages to view the organization. More importantly, the Tour director was eyeing the Colle delle Finestre. The inside scoop is that this graveled climb will be included in the 2006 version of the Tour de France. The Tour riders would have to face the climb in the same direction, ascending the gravel side and descending on he smooth pavement side. More details to follow, keep your browser locked into BiciRace.com.

Stage 19: Simoni's Time Gains

The guys in the BiciRace.com graphics office spent all Monday morning drinking espresso and preparing this wonderful chart. It is a depiction of Simoni's time gains, in respect to Savoldelli, on the last mountain stage (stage 19). By the top of the Colle delle Finestre, Simoni had the virtual maglia rosa. Then at the finish line, thanks to il Falco's descending and the Davitamon-Lotto boys, Simoni only had pulled back 1'29". It was a lot of time, but not enough to secure the maglia rosa.

1 June News ...