BiciRace.com

• News
• Races
• Photos
• Interviews
• Inside Scoop
• Gear & Gadgets

19 July 2005

20 July News ...

CSC and Basso Extend For Three Years

There is good news for Team CSC. Bjarne Riis has secured sponsorship from Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) for three additional years. On the heels of this news was the renewal of Ivan Basso's contact, also until the end of 2008.

Riis was obviously happy for the team and for the continued involvement of a solid financial backer. "We have come far in the last couple of seasons, and no one should have any doubts, that our ambitions are sky high," said Bjarne Riis during the 2nd rest day in Pau. The Tour de France is always the unofficial marketplace for working out the following year's contracts. Riis can now go about getting renewal signatures of some of his riders, and searching for new CSC riders.

Ivan Basso has been having a superb time with Team CSC. The Italian was always considered star material, but wasted a couple of years in the iron hands of Giancarlo Ferretti (Fassa Bortolo). "To continue with Riis is only natural. There is a good rapport between us and that extends to the racing," said Basso from Pau. "They value me for what I am, and able to become. I called my wife and then in the morning I signed. I am pleased with the offers from the other great squads, but in my life there are also ethics." Basso referring to his original contract that ran until the end of 2006.

92nd Tour de France:
Startlist, Classifications, Tour Challengers, Discovery Channel Profile
Key Stages, Key Stage Descriptions, Stages and Maps, Overall Map
Photos, Dust Devil's Daily Wrap

Ivan Basso is Content with his Style

The Italian Stallion, Ivan Basso (Team CSC), is happy to be in his current GC position behind Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel). Currently the 27-year-old is 2'46" behind Armstrong in 2nd place in the 2005 Tour de France. "Second overall is a good place to be after the Alps and the Pyrenees, but there are still some tough stages in the Massif Central, and the last time trial is very, very tough as well, so the Tour podium hasn't been decided yet," said Basso.

Ivan Basso impressed on the major mountain stages. He was one of the few riders to repeatedly try to attack, and also stay with Armstrong. "I know that I did the maximum to obtain something big in this Tour, and I will go to the end without any doubts. I attacked, I risked, I dropped all in the climbs, but Armstrong. If he is so strong and will win the Tour, then hats off to him." Basso has faced his rival straight in the eye and valued his strengths.

The CSC rider can leave this Tour content with his results. He has had quite an uprising in the last year and now appears to be a changed rider, one to throw punches, not just block. "I spent some years obtaining the results that others expected of me, and that I expected of myself. My philosophy has changed," Basso explained. "You have seen that in the Giro di Lombardia last year, when I took the course in my hands, searching to win. And then at the Giro this year, when I attacked and made the difference on Zoldo Alto [stage 11]. I took the maglia rosa ... I did not give in when I had stomach problems, and then took two difficult stages." Basso then aimed at his critics, "Still they had the courage to say that at Limone Piemonte [stage 17] I had been left to go free because I was outside of the GC, but the day after they were proved wrong."

Ullrich Eyes Rasmussen

Jan Ullrich (T-Mobile) has missed out on a podium spot only once in his seven Tour de France starts. This year he expects to make the podium but it will be a fight, he is now 2'50" behind Rasmussen (Rabobank) in 3rd. "I don't know whether it'll be possible to take back the time from Rasmussen in the last time trial in St Etienne," said Ullrich. Ullrich in theory should mop the floor with the Dane, but at this point in a three week tour there are many variables. Ullrich continued, "The time trial may not be enough which means I will have to attack beforehand to attempt to gain some time." Ulle has fired his warning shot and now Rasmussen will be on alert with his Rabobank squad.

The German then added that he is happy with his current spot. "It might sound surprising but I'm glad to be in fourth place because with the crashes I could easily be 60th." There is always next year for Ulle, a year without the Cowboy. "I'll try again because a win in the Tour de France will mean a lot, even without Armstrong." He will have a hard time even without Armstrong, as there is a new crop of riders appearing that look set to dominate.

Saiz Gives Thoughts On Team

Team Liberty Seguros - Würth DS, Manolo Saiz, spoke out on his team's performance. The Spanish squadra has been lacking and the favorites really did not shine. One such rider, Roberto Heras, has had a hard 92nd Tour de France. "Roberto has tried everything. I have no doubts he prepared well and came to the Tour very motivated, but he is possibly a man of second strengths ... I have spoken to him and next year he may go to the Giro d'Italia instead of the Tour."

Now Saiz searches for another rider who could possibly lead the Liberty Seguros - Würth squad in the 2006 Tour de France. Alberto Contador is still too young and Joseba Beloki is still on the recovery trail. Saiz added, "For the good of our sponsors, and of the team, we need a leader for the transition of the next two years, because we need to be at the top in the classification of the Tour de France. We must find this rider, but it is another thing that this rider exists in the pack and is also available."

Manolo Saiz has seen a lot in his time as a Director Sportivo. He has overlooked Alex Zülle and Laurent Jalabert, among other greats. Saiz gave his opinion on Armstrong, "I have seen Armstrong's clear authority. Lance is the champion of the decade and he is well above the level of the rest."

18 July News ...