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News :: June 2005

11 June 2005

Cycling Fans, Note This Name: Tómas Gislason

Overcoming, Team CSC Documentary

Cycling fans: You will want to take note of the Danish name Tómas Gislason. Gislason is a noted Danish film director and a fan of cycling. He spent the majority of 2004 following along with Team CSC Director Sportif, Bjarne Riis while filming Team CSC. The footage has all been edited and now released, titled: Overcoming.

Fans of A Sunday in Hell, Stars and Watercarriers and The Impossible Hour (all three directed by fellow Dane Jørgen Leth) will want to seek out this documentary. Overcoming, released only yesterday (10 June 2005) in Danish theaters, is a 105 minute documentary film that details Team CSC, capturing everything from CSC boot camp to the Tour de France successes.

All the pains, struggles and glories of cycling are captured on film in a stunning manner. Witness Ivan Basso's stage win in the 2004 Tour de France as he deals with personal struggles. You will obtain a thorough understanding of the stress involved in running a pro team as Gislason follows along with Riis. Michele Bartoli, Jens Voigt and Carlos Sastre all share in struggles and glory as the film evolves.

As with the pro peloton, this film has many different languages throughout, but English subtitles are present. Overcoming is set to be released in theaters world-wide in the fall, with DVD release sometime afterwards. Grazie a Tómas Gislason, for directing a film that cycling fans have been waiting for since the successes of Jørgen Leth. Please keep tuned into BiciRace.com for more details.

Merckx Solos to Grenoble

Alex Merckx Winner, Stage 5, photo: Davitamon-Lotto

Axel Merckx put in a huge solo move to win stage 5 of the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré. The son of Eddy Merckx, "The Cannibal", made his move at nearly 100K from the line, covering 4 of the 5 days climbs alone. It was a roller-coaster of a course that Merckx road to perfection, securing his first win since 2003 in the Tour de l'Ain.

Merckx has erased early season disappointments and now moves forward. According to the stage 5 winner, "The missed opportunities of the early season at Liège-Bastogne-Liège was a huge disappointment for me. But this feeling is a good sign: if I am disappointed, that proves that I am still motivated. The greatest risk after twelve years of cycling is not to be passionate."

What passion the Olympic bronze medalist displayed. Staying away for 100K solo is not easy, especially in a ProTour race where everyone wants to win. Axel continues, "With the ProTour, that rolls very quickly. Critérium [Dauphiné Libéré] is now on same level as the Giro." Then noting that his 2004 Olympic achievement holds a high honor, "This medal holds an important symbolic meaning. It represents a massive pride for my country. Besides, my recognition comes essentially because of this Olympic title."

Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré: Overall Map, Startlist, Main Page

Liberty Seguros-Würth for Tour de Suisse

Heading the blue armada from Spain at the upcoming Tour of Suisse will be Joseba Beloki. This will be Beloki's final opportunity to fine tune his form before the all important Tour de France in July.

Rounding out the squad are Dariusz Baranowski, Carlos Barredo, Giampaolo Caruso, David Etxebarria, Koldo Gil, Javier Ramírez Abeja and Jesús Hernández. Michele Scarponi will be sitting it out due to a virus contracted in the latter stages of the Giro d'Italia.
- Paco

Euskaltel-Euskadi Releases Roster for Tour de Suisse

Basque super climber, Iban Mayo, will be the top man at the Tour of Switzerland due to start on Saturday June 11. The final 7 slots will go to David López, Iker Flores, Joseba Albizu, Antton Luengo, Egoi Martínez, Aitor González and Roberto Laiseka.

Being a squad comprised primarily of climbers, the Tour de Suisse should suit the boys in orange. A victory, or at least some positive results, will be exactly what the Euskaltel squad needs to shore up their confidence for the Tour. They've had a most uninspired year so far. BiciRace.com wishes them luck.
- Paco

Tour de Suisse: Overall Map, Startlist, Main Page

Garzelli for the 92nd Tour de France

Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas-Bianchi) is now in France doing reconnaissance of the key Tour de France stages. After having to drop out of the Giro d'Italia, Garzelli hopes for a solid Tour de France. Garzelli adding, "I hope that it is not too late but, if it I don't have have the ideal condition for a good general classification, then I will want to be content to go hunting for a single stage." But if the form is not quite there then Garzelli will hope to aim for the fall, "... to use the great condition that a race like the Tour gives you to race an excellent month of August and September, in which there will be very important races." (Read more about Stefano Garzelli in the BiciRace.com interview.)

10 June News ...