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12 June 2005

13 June News ...

Botero Not Afraid

As they say in Italian, "Che tappa!" Yesterday's stage did nothing but excite as the favorites laid down their cards in stage 6 of the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré. The Col de Joux-Plane set the stage of the battlefield where Santiago Botero (Phonak) made a strong move for GC and stage victory. He did not secure enough time to snatch the overall, but he did score an epic battle victory. The Colombian was hammering on the descent into Morzine. Botero's move was daring, and he demonstrated how to win a race in style, by putting it all on the line.

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

Iñigo Landaluze Knows His Stuff

Euskaltel-Euskadi might well have brought the right rider to repeat Iban Mayo's 2004 Dauphiné Libéré victory. Iñigo Landaluze is now on the edge of winning the 2005 edition, but Phonak is still trying to stop the 28 year-old. Phonak beware, Landaluze remarked that the mayor of Bilbao is on his side, "The mayor of my home town has already phoned up to congratulate me, so that gives me extra motivation."

But yesterday the Basque man clad in orange took a little bit of a beating, losing one minute. Landaluze revealed his unusual technique, "I rode the entire day as if I wasn't in the race lead and I don't think I controlled the situation at all badly." Yes, the Basque rider hung in there and made the BiciRace.com crew proud.

Today the final earthquakes will rock the house. Phonak is sure to go all-out on Euskaltel-Euskadi. "I know that Phonak are going to declare war on me, but I'm not counting on losing the lead," countered Iñigo. "Of course, no one expected to see me in the position, but I'm know my possibilities and qualities." Iñigo, In bocca al lupo!

Armstrong Would Like Some Vino?

It seems that the Disco team may have found the replacemnt for the Cowboy. Rumors circulating around France and the BiciRace.com headquarters is that Alexandre Vinokourov is being offered big money from Discovery Channel. Vinokourov (T-Mobile) is a top-notch rider, capable of wining in the spring, summer and fall.

Lance Armstrong denies the rumors reported by French newspaper Le Parisien/Aujourd'hui. 6X refers all questions to Disco management and continues to concentrate on July. But what does Vino have to say about a possible Disco move? "It's true that I am now at the end of my contract with T-Mobile ... Come what may, I'm going to wait to see my results at the Tour to make a decision."

Vino does not joke around and you can believe what he says. But what he doesn't say is 'no'! Neither does the Disco camp, and that says a lot. Be sure that Vino knows his work is at T-Mobile for the 92nd Tour de France. He will blast Armstrong at any chance he can get to secure a win for the pink-squad.

Franco Pellizotti, Suisse and Tour de France

Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas-Bianchi) is aiming for the Tour de France, using the Tour de Suisse to build his form. Pellizotti noted that in training his "condition is bettering day by day."

The curly-haired rider, Pellizotti, had a great start to the year, winning Coppi e Bartali/Settimana Internazionale, and now wants to continue in that same manner. "I'm not at my best yet but I feel my form is getting better day by day. Unluckily, an intestinal virus urged me to a short stop two weeks ago. However, I will be competitive in the Tour de Suisse, the Italian Championships and above all the Tour de France."

FDJ Day for Eisel

Yesterday was a FDJ Day in Switzerland. The team rallied behind Bernhard Eisel and delivered the Austrian to the line first. The Tuscan Terror, Paolo Bettini, put in a move to try to upset affairs in the final meters. The Italian's move did not phase Française des Jeux from giving Eisel stage 1 victory in the Tour de Suisse.

Tune in today when all men of the clock will test their legs. It is stage 2 of the Tour de Suisse, a 36K TT test around Weinfelden. Jan Ullrich and other Tour de France men will show their goods.

Tour de Suisse: Overall Map, Startlist, Main Page

Stage 10, Grenoble - Courchevel, Tour de France Starts

Stage 10 of the 92nd Tour de France will be the first big test for the rider's climbing legs. It comes right after the rest day so it will be a little more difficult. The stage is in southeast France, from Grenoble to Courchevel, and takes the riders over 192.5K.

The two big features on the stage are the Cormet-de-Roselend and the summit finish on Courchevel (both cat 1). Cormet-de-Roselend should provide a springboard for an attack, possibly sticking to the end. It was back in 1992 when Claudio Chiappucci did just that to go on a long solo move. However, this year there will be around 70K from the summit of Cormet-de-Roselend to the stage finish.

The first mountain stage is always a spot for Lance Armstrong to show his legs. Look for Armstrong to blast or a new Tour champion to take shape. The rider wearing Yellow at the end of this stage will be a serious contender for overall in Paris. Check out all of the key stages and the Tour de France preview.

11 June News ...