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18 June 2005

19 June News ...

Another First, A Win For Linus Gerdemann, Rogers in Yellow

Linus Gerdemann (Team CSC) did what Michael Albasini did two days ago, scored his first professional victory in the Tour de Suisse. The 22 year-old attacked his six break-away companions with 8K remaining. The German put his nose to the stem and maintained a gap to the line. His first pro win came in a ProTour race, a solid result at the end of stage 7 to Lenk.

The bunch came in some 20 seconds back, with the overall lead safe with the Aussie, Rogers (Quick-Step). Jan Ullrich (T-Mobile) must surely be happy that he did not have to send the magenta boys up front. If the former Tour champion was in the lead then his team would have been worked to the bone. T-Mobile left that work to Quick-Step.

Gerdemann Knew to Escape in Stage 7 of the Tour de Suisse

With 8K remaining in stage 7 of the Tour de Suisse, the young German, Linus Gerdemann, sized up his break companions and decided to go alone. The Team CSC rider had spent a long day with the other six riders and then said "ciao". We checked-in with Team CSC, Gerdemann explains, "Martin Elmiger looked like he was the strongest of the six other riders in the break, so I launched my attack just as he finished taking a turn at the front. All the time I knew, I had to escape from the group, cause there were some really fast guys like Rodriguez, Kroon and Etxebarria."

Bjarne Riis knows how to select his riders for the Danish squad. This young gun (22 years-old) started his career on Team CSC at the beginning of May in 4 Days of Dunkirk. At that race he finished fifth and featured in the climber's competition and young rider's competition. Gerdemann will have a bright future under the guiding hands of Riis and the CSC squad.

Tour de Suisse: Overall Map, Startlist, Main Page

Dario Cioni to Defend the Italian TT Title

Starting next week is the Italian national championships. Current TT champion, Dario Cioni (Liquigas-Bianchi), will defend his tricolore (Green, White, Red) jersey next Tuesday, 21 June. The Liquigas-Bianchi TT specialist aims for victory: "the time trial championship is an important goal in my race season, I've grown fond of the Italian champion jersey and I'd like to hold it another year."

"I rested a little to recover after the Giro d'Italia. This week I started to train regularly again," added Cioni. After the championships he heads for the Tour de France, hopefully wearing the champion's jersey, "The Tour is starting soon. This year after the time trial prologue, we will have to wait till stage 20 to have another individual TT. As for me, I'll try to do my best in the overall ranking and to support the strategy of the team."

Quick Chat With DS Algeri About Chris Horner's Victory

Yesterday BiciRace.com got the inside scoop from Matteo Algeri (Saunier Duval - Prodir). We chatted about Chris Horner's Stage 6 victory in the Tour de Suisse and what it means for the Tour de France. It was a quick chat due to internet connectivity, but it is interesting reading.

BiciRace.com: Ciao Matteo.
BiciRace.com: Stai bene?
Matteo: Sì...
Matteo: e tu?
BiciRace.com: Sto bene, grazie
BiciRace.com: Un buon win per Horner :o)
Matteo: Chris is really strong
Read more of the Chat with the Director Sportivo, Matteo Algeri

Michael Rogers to T-Mobile in 2006

Press communications at Quick-Step revealed today that Michael Rogers, current leader at the Tour de Suisse, will be transferring to T-Mobile. At the end of 2005 the current TT champion will transfer over to the magenta team of T-Mobile. The presence of Rogers will further boost the team's TT abilities and their stage race strength.

17 June News ...