BiciRace.com :: News :: August 2005

News :: August 2005

3 August 2005

Simoni to Quick-Step or Cofidis

Mont-Faron Victory, photo: Paris-Nice

Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Caffita) is expected to make a decision on his future team in the coming days. It has been widely known that the 2X Giro d'Italia champion was not happy at Lampre-Caffita these last two years. Problems stemmed from the rise of Damiano Cunego and an ensuing struggle for team leadership.

Simoni and Cunego Train, photo: Bettini-Lampre

BiciRace.com reported yesterday that Simoni is considering joining forces with Quick-Step. (Read: Simoni Looks to Quick-Step (2 August).) Patrick Lefevere, team Quick-Step DS, had announced his desire to have a rider of Simoni's quality on his Belgian squadra. For Simoni, it would be a reunion with his old teammate, Paolo Bettini. Simoni and Bettini rode together for one year on the 1997 MG Technogym team.

Another team being talked of is Cofidis. The French team needs a leader for the Giro d'Italia, which they are required to ride as a ProTour team. The team has fellow Italian, Leonardo Bertagnolli, who could help Gibo on the Italian roads.

Finestre, photo: Giro d'Italia

In either case, Quick-Step or Cofidis, it will be a departure from an Italian squadra for Gibo. He can find a strong team at Quick-Step, but one that has many other goals. Cofidis can offer him undisputed leadership at the Giro but without a proper squadra. Stay tuned for further developments.

GP Camaiore and Giro del Lazio

Bettini To Race, photo: Quick-Step

Coming up on the Italian calendar are two very important races. Tomorrow is the 56th GP Camaiore (4 August), and then two days later is the 71st Giro del Lazio (6 August). Big names are expected for these two races: Cunego (Lampre-Caffita), Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi), Bettini, Pozzato, Paolini (all Quick-Step) and Bernucci (Fassa Bortolo).

The GP Camaiore takes place in Toscana and is always a selective race. The riders will tackle the Pitoro climb six times before finishing the 193K race. Paolo Bettini won the GP Camaiore last year before going on to Olympic Gold.

Paolini to Start, photo: Capture-The -Peloton.com

Two days later, down near Roma, will be the Giro del Lazio. The race is 210K long and takes the riders over the climb of the Rocca Priora, followed quickly by the Tuscolo and the Rocca di Papa. Many big names have won this race in the past, including Moser, Fondriest, Bugno, De Vlaeminck and Gimondi. Last year it was the Spaniard Juan Antonio Flecha.

Gianni Bugno Crashes

Ex-champion of cycling, Gianni Bugno, crashed while racing. Bugno is staying fit and was participating in the Italian championships for ex-pros, in Ponte di Lengo. He went down, fracturing his rib, but is doing fine.

Eneco Tour (Tour of Benelux) Starts

Overall Map, photo: Eneco Tour

Belgium and the Netherlands host the Eneco Tour this week. 23, 8-man, teams will line up today for the eight-day race. The race kicks off with a 5.7K prologue in Mechelen, Belgium. Tomorrow, Stage 1, starts in Geel. It is a 192K stage that travels to the Netherlands. This stage will contain the first of many border crossings throughout the tour. Stay tuned for the action here on BiciRace.com.

Eneco Tour, 3 - 10 August
Main, Startlist, Map, Photos

2 August News ...