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News :: July 2005

22 July 2005

Petacchi Will Be On Domina Vacanze

Petacchi Wins, photo: Fassa Bortolo

It is now certain that Alessandro Petacchi will race with Domina Vacanze for 2006. The Italian sprint sensation will switch teams after six seasons with Fassa Bortolo. The deal is worth a rumored 3 million Euro, around 2/3 of which is for Petacchi.

Petacchi will ride under the direction of Gianluigi Stanga for the next three seasons. The Italian sprinter leaves the house of Giancarlo Ferretti after the Iron Sergeant could not find a new sponsor. Ferretti had tried in the last months to secure a new sponsor to replace the departing Fassa Bortolo. Now, given the loss of his key man, it is in doubt if Ferretti will direct any team for 2006.

Alessandro Petacchi was scheduled for the Brixia Tour, starting today, but he pulled out with muscle problems. "While I made a sprint in training I felt a sharp pain in my left quadriceps," explained Ale-Jet. The problem was check out at the hospital and determined to be a muscle injury that requires a few days of rest.

Older Petacchi Team News: 9 May (Alessandro Petacchi Goes Dutch?), 10 May (Rumors Run Wild!), 4 July (Petacchi and Ferretti, Brothers Gonna Work it Out), 16 July (Fassa Bortolo to Merge with Lampre-Caffita) and 21 July (Alessandro Petacchi Goes on a Domina Vacanze)

Serrano Relives Jalabert Glories

Serrano Attacks, photo: CyclingTime.com

Marcos Serrano (Liberty Seguros - Würth) claimed victory on the Côte de la Croix Neuve. Yesterday in the Tour de France the Spaniard worked-over Axel Merckx (Davitamon-Lotto) and Cédric Vasseur (Cofidis) then soloed home. Serrano considered his victory a team victory, one that was executed to the master plan of Manolo Saiz. "With this victory we have outdone ourselves," said Serrano post-stage. "Because today, more than ever, has been a victory of the team. Today I have used all of my skills and experience from so many years as professional. And above all my experience in the classics, because this finish was like a classic."

By winning he gave Team DS and mastermind, Manolo Saiz, a second victory in Mende. It was back in 1995 that Laurent Jalabert won in Mende riding under Saiz on the ONCE squad. "Today in the bus Manolo Saiz remembered the victory of Jalabert and ONCE ten years ago," continued Serrano. "He really likes to recall these things, and he said to us that it was very difficult to repeat, but that this stage was good for the team, and that we should look for the victory. We went out with the idea of winning and to get in a break with either me, Heras or Contador, because we are the most explosive. To win in the same place of Jalabert makes me proud, because also I won Milano-Torino, like Jalabert, so somehow I am repeating some of his victories."

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

Basso Continues Attacks On Armstrong

Basso Talks, photo: Team CSC

Ivan Basso is laying down the attacks for Team CSC. He has been the one to consistently knock on Lance Armstrong's door in the 92nd Tour de France. All of Italy is proud with Basso's performances, he has had the courage to attack a champion on his farewell tour. "Today I went strong ... This was perhaps the last occasion to try something," recalled Basso post-stage. The Italian will go down as the last riders to attack the American who retires after Sunday. "It was an attack that was setup in advance. On the last climb I drove at maximum, but there was a head wind and unfortunately it was not enough to drop Armstrong. I have demonstrated that I am strong in the climbs, and at least I have tried everything up until the end. I believe that I have earned my second spot on the podium in this Tour."

Ivan Basso looks like a changed man from the 2004 Tour de France. This year he seems so much more determined and focused when on the climbs. Head DS for Team CSC, Bjarne Riis, explained, "We wanted to put Armstrong in difficulties but he re-entered. He did not get dropped, but he [Ivan] had the courage to attack and create pressure. Now I am certain that we will do a great time trial." The stage 20 TT will be this Saturday in Saint-Etienne. Basso has been improving over the last year, but he will have a hard time up against Armstrong.

21 July News ...