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25 July 2005

26 July News ...

Vino Puts Hammer Down in Paris

Alexander Vinokourov (T-Mobile) is unstoppable. The Kazakh rider turned yesterday's normal sprint stage into his stage. 500 meters to the line Vino launched his attack and foiled the sprinters. The sensational solo victory on the Champs-Élysées marked the second stage win for Vino in the Tour de France. The win also enabled him to move from 6th to 5th in the final GC.

Vino was overtaken by emotions after the stunning win. "I couldn't believe it, even when I'd crossed the line. I'd won on the Champs-Élysées! I didn't think I could pull it off. I was trying to improve my GC to fifth. I'm delighted it worked." The Kazakh rider will finish this year with T-Mobile before switching teams. Vino added, "I hope to win more with T-Mobile before the season ends. I've given everything with T-Mobile but need to leave to try to win the Tour with another team. That's the only reason."

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 Impressed

For the second year in a row Ivan Basso (Team CSC) finished on the podium in the Tour de France. The Italian upped the third place of 2004 to a second place in 2005. "The sensation on the podium was even better than last year. I certainly liked to be between two winners of the Tour, and ahead of one of them," said Basso after the podium presentations.

Basso was very satisfied his year and the Tour. He competed in two grand tours this year, the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France. "This Tour I gave more than was expected of me. Last year I was a surprise, but this year I confirmed. I am very happy. I like the method in which I prepared this year, and I think that I managed well the double participation of the Giro-Tour. This year I tried every method to win the Tour."

After three weeks of racing the Italian was happy to be in Paris. Basso explained, "The best moment of the Tour is arriving on the Champs-Élysées. You feel the world applaud you, and there are great emotions for every racer, even the last of the classification. To be on the podium for the second year, to rise further on the podium, it was the best." The Tour was difficult at some points for the Team CSC rider, but he managed them well. "There was not really a moment that was the worst. Even on Courchevel, when I was dropped, I was truly in crisis, but I don't think that I completely blew up. The worst moment this year continues to be my crisis on the Stelvio in the Giro d'Italia: that day I did not know if I would even finish."

Now most of the tifosi are picking Ivan Basso to be the next man of the Tour de France. He will have his work cut out for him as there are many young stars on the rise. Basso gave his thoughts, "I would love to have the ability of picking up Armstrong's legacy, this is a great dream I have inside. I understand how to win the Tour, and the objective is to return next year with my squad for success." The Team CSC man then noted that he is young and is more than just a Tour rider. "I am 27 years old and I have another 7 to 8 seasons to win the grand tours, and not only them. The Worlds in 2009 at Mendrisio, for example, captivate me."

Brixia Tour to Sella

Yesterday the Brixia Tour finished in Manerbio (Brescia) Italy. Emanuele Sella (Panaria-Navigare) won the final GC in front of Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) in 2nd. Behind, in fourth, was Igor Astarloa (Barloworld), who is making waves after a long time away. Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Caffita), also had a good race. The Piccolo Principe finished 5th at 2'26" down on Sella.

After the race Sella was excited, "This victory has given back to me the awareness that I can compete on the high level. The bad period has passed. Here the rivals were at a good level, and because I beat them I have enormous satisfaction."

Axel Merckx to Phonak

Axel Merckx (32) will race for Phonak in 2006. He leaves the Belgian-based Davitamon-Lotto at the end of the season. Merckx will race for the Swiss Phonak for one year, afterwards he intends to retire.

"I have signed for one year with an option for a second, because I may retire at the end of 2006," confirmed Merckx. "The talks were very fast and simple. I'm happy because I'll be with my old friend, John Lelangue, who I rode with as an amateur. The only downside of the deal is that I won't be riding on Eddy Merckx bikes any more!" Not that Axel was the only member of the Davitamon-Lotto team riding on an Eddy Merckx frame. It was a special arrangement for Axel to be able to ride on the frames of his father.

24 July News ...