BiciRace.com :: News :: August 2005

News :: August 2005

5 August 2005

Basso ... Che Doppio

If you were in Århus, Denmark yesterday, standing at the roadside, then you witnessed something special. Ivan Basso (Team CSC) stormed into town, claiming his second victory in two straight days at the Tour of Denmark. For Basso and his team it was a grand win. Team CSC is based in Denmark and the second win looked great for the sponsors.

Basso at Giro, photo: Team CSC

The Italian Stallion took stage 2 after 187K, from Viborg to Århus. Sprinting clear, just like yesterday, to take the win ahead of a charging peloton. It was a twofer, just like in May at the Giro d'Italia. Then it was stages 17 (Limone Piemonte) and 18 (Torino TT). "The Tour [de France] has left be with good condition ... I am here racing for the day, and if the day is good and I will give it a go. In my life I have already realized two wins in 24 hours, this year at the Giro d'Italia," said Basso post-stage.

Stage 2 was won in front of fellow Italian, Daniele Nardello (T-Mobile). The two have a special bond, they are both from Varese and often train together. Ivan (27) and Daniele (33) attacked together on the finishing circuits, 10K to go. The riders from Varese worked well together until the end, then Ivan showed a clean set of wheels to his buddy, Daniele. The two were embracing after the finish, happy for their coup.

"I attacked with Nardello, and knew that Kurt [Kurt-Asle Arvesen] was behind us and would be able to attack or try and win the sprint if I was unable to," explained Basso via Team CSC. "But I did it, and it's a brilliant feeling to win again."

Nardello missed a good occasion but showed his form is on target. From here he goes to the Clasica San Sebastian and then the Vuelta a España. The races offer plenty of opportunity for Nardello to shine and better his 2nd place in the Tour of Denmark.

Maxed Out at the Eneco Tour

Van Heeswijk Wins, photo: Eneco Tour

The Eneco Tour is in full-swing with a sprint finish at the end of stage 1. Max Van Heeswijk (Discovery Channel) triumphed with a stage win and also took the GC lead. The Eneco Tour is providing plenty of opportunities for riders on the comeback. In the Prologue it was Verbrugghe, who achieved success after some time away from the limelight. Then yesterday, in stage 1, Van Heeswijk scored victory after a season of health problems. "But this is sport. You are no machine with indicators," explained Van Heeswijk. Thanks to a solid placing in the prologue and stage 1 time bonuses, the Dutch rider was able to take the overall lead. "Yes, in the prologue I had no plan, but the result was good."

Today, stage 2, the riders face another flat stage. The stage is 178K, from Geldrop to Sittard, briefly going into Germany towards the end. Look for Van Heeswijk's team to play a defensive role and defend the red leader's jersey.

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

Ludewig To T-Mobile

Jörg Ludewig (29) will ride next year for T-Mobile. It is a coming home for the German rider, joining Germany's most famous cycling formation. After a few years on Italian teams, Saeco and Domina Vacanze, Ludewig brings his experience across the Dolomites.

T-Mobile is building up its magenta squadra for 2006. Ludwig joins other recent signings: 2X World TT champion, Michael Rogers (Quick-Step), Patrik Sinkewitz (Quick-Step) and sprinter, Thomas Ziegler (Gerolsteiner).

"For me it is a dream come true", says Jörg Ludewig, who showed his strength last Sunday at the HEW-Cyclassics in Hamburg. Ludwig hammered off the front of strong peloton for 200K, before laying down his arms. "I want to help Steffen Wesemann in his bid to win Paris–Roubaix, and I want to ride my fourth Tour de France," continued Ludwig, outlining his 2006 goals.

Pieri to LPR for 2005 remainder

Pieri, photo: BiciRace.com

Team LPR signed Dario Pieri (29) from Lampre-Caffita for the remainder of 2005 and 2006. The Florentine will make a quick exit from the blue-pink squad of Lampre-Caffita and over to Omar Piscina's team, Team LPR.

Pieri has been a professional since 1997. However, the wins recently have been few and far for Pieri. Back in 2002 saw a victory in the E3-Harelbeke, followed in 2003 with a 2nd place in the Paris-Roubaix. Pieri is expected to make his debut in Team LPR colors next week (9 August) in the Due Giorni Marchigiana.

Volta a Portugal for Simoni

Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Caffita) taking part in this year's Volta a Portugal as a build up for the Vuelta a España. Lampre-Caffita and Fassa Bortolo are the two biggest teams on the startlist for the 7 stage race. The Volta a Portugal starts today and ends on 15 August.

Palermo for the 90th Giro d'Italia

Palermo, the capital city of Sicilia, put its name on the list of possible cities to host the start of 2007 Giro d'Italia. This would not be the first time the Giro has started from the famous southern island, in 2003 the organizers took the race over to the island. Palermo, is bidding to host the opening prologue, with stages 1 and 2 continuing in Sicilia. For the 89th Giro (2006) is already slated to start in Belgium (read: 2006 Giro d'Italia to Start in Belgium).

4 August News ...