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22 June 2005

23 June News ...

Marco Pinotti: The Italian TT Champion

Marco Pinotti (Saunier Duval - Prodir) has added a huge win to his list. Yesterday, under hot conditions he powered to a time trial win. But not just any TT win, this win was for the Italian Championship and the right to wear the tricolore jersey (Green, White and Red) for one year. BiciRace.com is very proud for Marco and we salute him in his victory.

Marco took some time out of celebrating to write his thoughts on his victory. "The race yesterday went very well. When I arrived in Pescara I wasn't too worried about the starters and other racers because I felt that nobody deserved the title more than me. Events in the previous weeks had made me race a lot. I felt good after the ... " Read BiciRace.com's Inside Scoop from Marco to find out more.

Illes Balears to Release Tour de France Team

In a press conference scheduled for next Thursday, June 23rd, Illes Balears team management will be officially releasing their 9 man roster for the upcoming Tour de France. The announcement will take place in Palma de Mallorca since that is the capital of the Balearic islands, which is, of course, the title sponsor of the team.

Team leadership should fall on the shoulders of Francisco "Paco" Mancebo. He'll be accompanied by the less-experienced, but more talented, Alejandro Valverde. Valverde's role will be to soak up as much of Paco's experience as possible. He'll most likely forego a high GC placing for getting some valuable experience and perhaps a stage win.
- Paco

3X World Champion Has Minor Operation

Oscar Freire (Rabobank), 3X World Champion, has had a minor operation to remove a benign tumor from his under-side. The Spaniard already had plans to miss the 2005 Tour de France and chose this time to have the operation in Amsterdam. Oscar Freire now aims to be back on track and gun for a fourth World title in Madrid in the fall.

The T-Mobile Power-House Announces Tour Team

The T-Mobile Power-House has been formed for the 92nd Tour de France. 1997 Tour winner, Jan Ullrich, will captain the team in his quest for win number two. It will be one last time for the German to beat Lance Armstrong before the Texan retires. "I have always said that a Tour victory is more valuable if Lance Armstrong is participating. I will do everything I can to beat him...", said Ullrich when we checked-in with T-Mobile.

The in-form Ullrich will be backed by a super line-up: Alexander Vinokourov (Kazakhstan), Andreas Klöden (Germany), Stephan Schreck (Germany), Daniele Nardello (Italy), Oscar Sevilla (Spain), Matthias Kessler (Germany), Tobias Steinhauser (Germany), and Giuseppe Guerini (Italy). Vino and Klöden have the juice to win the Tour on their own, but will provide support to Ullrich. But if Ullrich can't come through, expect Vino or Klöden to be there.

Big news is that Erik Zabel has been left out of the 2005 Tour de France line-up. This was reported last week and now the competition is worried. Perhaps this could be the year that T-Mobile rule the Tour with an all-for-yellow effort. Regarding Zabel, we checked with T-Mobile and the sprint champion had this to say, "But I had to take a deep breath when I got the news. But you know, the Tour fever in Germany will be as big as ever in Germany from July 2, with or without Erik Zabel."

Family Caucchioli Welcomes New Baby Girl

Yesterday Pietro Caucchioli (Crédit Agricole) and his wife welcomed a new baby girl. The new father is taking part in the Italian national road race this Sunday and next week it is off to the 2005 Tour de France. The BiciRace.com staff sends warm wishes to Pietro Caucchioli and his family.

Liquigas-Bianchi for the Tour de France

Italian super squad have announced their green-team for the 92nd Tour de France. It is a balanced mix of riders with Garzelli and Cioni going for GC, while snatching some stages. Also in the mix is Brazilian dynamite, Pagliarini, who is sure to appear in the sprints. Young Albasini, recent winner of a stage in the Tour de Suisse, is on super-form and should do well.

Here is the entire team: Stefano Garzelli, Dario David Cioni, Franco Pellizotti, Magnus Backstedt, Luciano Pagliarini, Michael Albasini, Kjell Carlström, Mauro Gerosa, and Marcus Ljungqvist

For more 92nd Tour de France info read the 92nd Tour de France preview or look at all of the stages.

21 June News ...