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10 August 2005

11 August News ...

Lampre-Caffita Break-up The Band

The team of Lampre-Caffita will break-up at the end of 2005. Lampre and Caffita (the old Saeco), the two sponsors, will go their separate ways. Lampre will take DS Giuseppe Martinelli and team manager Giuseppe Saronni. Going along with Martinelli is his long-time protege, Damiano Cunego, and the majority of the supporting riders. There are talks with Barloworld-Valsir, possibly having Valsir as a second sponsor to Lampre.

The future of team manager Claudio Corti is still unknown. He was key in guiding Saeco to success in 2003 and 2004. As for Gilberto Simoni, he has been linked with Quick-Step, Cofidis and Illes Balears (new sponsor) for 2006. Illes Balears may be a shock, but the style of manager José Miguel Echavarri could suit Simoni well. A decision is expected soon on Simoni's 2006 plans.

No Freire for Worlds

Oscar Freire (Rabobank) has confirmed his director's worst nightmare: that he will not be riding for Spain in the upcoming World Championship road race in Madrid. The three time World Champion has been suffering from a gluteal ailment which was operated on in June, but which still causes the World Champ significant pain.

The implications are two-fold. First, the obvious is that Spain will be without their ace for a course that is custom made for his fast finishing abilities. Secondly, with Spain being the home country of the reigning World Champion, they are entitled to an extra man on the roster, which would give them 10 riders. Without Freire, they'll be on an even playing field with the other participating countries.

According to national team selector, Francisco Antequera, they have other alternatives in the form of Alejandro Valverde. Valverde will have his hands full with Alessandro Petacchi, but Valverde is capable of producing some quite astounding results. Stay tuned for more.
- Paco

Eneco Tour Concludes with Tight Race

The eight-day Eneco Tour ends today with a tight race for GC. Today's stage 7 features a 26.3K TT on the streets of Etten-Leur, Holland. The course is technical, due to its number of turns, and flat.

Current GC leader, Rik Verbrugghe (Quick-Step), will have his work cut out for him. He will have Erik Dekker (Rabobank, 13"), Carlos Barredo (Liberty Seguros-Würth, 17"), Thomas Dekker (Rabobank, 26") and Bobby Julich (Team CSC, 37") breathing down his neck. Current 2nd place rider on GC, Allan Davis (Liberty Seguros-Würth, 5"), will probably not be a threat to Verbrugghe.

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

Luca Mazzanti Wins 5th Trofeo Fred Mengoni

Yesterday in Ancona Italy, Luca Mazzanti (Panaria-Navigare) won the 5th Trofeo Fred Mengoni. Mazzanti (31, from Bologna) benefited from the work of his teammate, Emanuele Sella, in the closing kilometers. On the up-hill finish the major threat for Mazzanti was Lorenzo Bernucci. The Fassa Bortolo rider is on great form after his stage win in the Tour de France. Finishing in fifth was The Killer, Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi).

Of course Franco Ballerini was in Ancona to witness the race. The Worlds in Spain (25 September) are approaching, and the Italian national DS needs to select his riders. Bernucci and Mazzanti are high on his list after their performances in yesterday's race. Di Luca, according to Ballerini, needs to provide more than just being the leader of the ProTour. Today the racing continues in La Due Giorni Marchigiana, with the 25th GP Città di Castelfidardo.

Il Falco has Surgery

Il Falco Bergamasco, Paolo Savoldelli, will undergo surgery to remove a saddle sore. The Discovery Channel rider has had a great 2005 season, and now he thinks it is a proper time to handle his bothersome saddle sore. After winning the Giro d'Italia and helping Armstrong win the Tour de France, Savoldelli's season is now over. Look for Il Falco to fly again in 2006.

Popo is a Married Man

Congratulations to Yaroslav Popovych (Discovery Channel). Yesterday he was married in Poggio a Caiano (in Toscana Italy, near Prato) to his long time girlfriend, Cindy Maria Baroni. Cindy is an ex-professional, and the two met at a local race a few years back. A second ceremony will be held later this year in Popo's home country of Ukraine.

9 August News ...