BiciRace.com :: News :: August 2005

News :: August 2005

14 August 2005

Horner Signs for Davitamon-Lotto

Horner Wins, photo: Graham Watson, Saunier Duval

Chris Horner (currently with Saunier Duval-Prodir) signed a two year deal with Davitamon-Lotto (2006 and 2007). The American (33) has been flying this year after recovering from an early season crash in the Tirreno-Adriatico. In June at the Tour de Suisse he earned his spot on the Tour de France team. Horner put it in overdrive, winning solo on the uphill finish Arosa.

Now Horner will return to the United States to race the San Francisco Grand Prix, before coming back to Europe for the fall classics. Last year he preformed well in the Worlds, Paris-Tours and the Giro di Lombardia. This time around Horner will hope to turn a solid ride into a victory.

Tino Wins Spain's One-Day Classic

Zaballa in the Txapela, photo: Graham Watson, Saunier Duval

Constantino Zaballa has won the most important one-day race in Spain: the Clásica San Sebastián. He and his teammate, Joaquin Rodriguez, took advantage on home Basque roads to pull off a Saunier Duval-Prodir 1-2. "Normally major races like this are out of my grasp," Tino said post-race, "but today I struck gold. Zaballa made his move on the Alto de Miracruz (500 meters, 4% gradient) at 3K to go. The Miracruz is at the doorstep of San Sebastián, and it proved a prefect launch-pad for Tino from the group of 7. "It was a combination of luck, the right move, excellent team-work by my squad and then having the strength to go for the win."

Winning the 20th race of the ProTour was a huge coup for the Spanish-Swiss squadra. Saunier Duval-Prodir had won the Basque race last year with Martin Perdiguero, and this year came better with a 1-2 finish. It was the 5th and biggest win of Zaballa's five year career. "With the legs that I had it would be wrong not to make more than one attack, it was a good feeling ... I am very happy." Tino is scheduled to join the Illes Balears squad next year, after riding two years with Saunier Duval-Prodir. He will be reunited with old teammate, Alejandro Valverde. The two rode for Kelme together in 2002 and 2003.

Damiano Cunego on the Up

The Clásica San Sebastián was a great day for the Piccolo Principe. Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Caffita) finished 17th, in the main chase group, at 43 seconds back. The rider from Verona (24) has been on the recovery trail from mononucleosis all season. The Clásica San Sebastián was his first major race back since competing in the Giro d'Italia in May.

"I made a good climb, just like I thought, right behind the leaders," said Cunego post-race. "But I am still missing something to be a little more competitive. Ah, it is all the same, I know that I don't have to be in a hurry. In the finale there was a battle and I was there. The moral is good because I know that I am recovering, mononucleosis is not shaken off easily, you have to have patience and time." From here the Piccolo Principe will race the Trittico Lombardo, GP Arona, Trofeo Melinda, Coppa Placci and the Giro della Romagna.

Filippo and Quick-Step Fail

Team leader, Filippo Pozzato, was the top finisher for Quick-Step yesterday in the Clásica San Sebastián. However, Pippo finished a lowly 53rd, 3'55" behind the winner. Granted it was not really a course for the Italian, but overall it was a bad day out for him and his team. Quick-Step only had four of it's starters finish. Former San Sebastián winner, Paolo Bettini, abandoned after helping Pippo early on in the race.

"I made an error being so far behind," said Pozzato after the Basque classic. "I knew that for me it would be a hard course but I felt very good, also in some moments I had difficulties breathing." Now Pozzato will head to the next ProTour race, the Deutschland Tour. There he will search for recovery and wins, aiming for a spot on the Squadra Azzurra in Madrid.

Mirko Celestino Races for New Baby

Mirko Celestino, photo: BiciRace.com

Mirko Celestino (Domina Vacanze) was in Spain yesterday racing while his wife was ready to give birth. Mirko's wife, Micaela, gave birth to the couple's second child soon after the race finish in the Clásica San Sebastián. Celestino was celebrating after the race, but not for his 54th place finish, for his new baby girl: Marika. Congratulations to the Celestino Family from the crew at BiciRace.com.

13 August News ...