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20 August 2005

21 August News ...

Simoni Joins Quick-Step

Gilberto Simoni is set to join Quick-Step next year. Simoni, currently with Lampre-Caffita, has given his verbal agreement to Patrick Lefevere, Quick-Step team manager, and is expected to sign an official contract today. The 2X Giro d'Italia champion will take his experience to the Belgian squad, aiming for success in the 2006 Giro.

Quick-Step has also signed two other stage racers: José Rujano (Selle Italia-Colombia) and Juan Manuel Gárate (Saunier Duval-Prodir). Rujano (23) will join Quick-Step in June 2006, while the Spanish Champion, Garate (29), will join at the beginning of the new year. These three signings will mark a change in tactics for Quick-Step, who previously went to the Giro solely for stage wins. Now the Belgian team has a strong chance of coming away with the final maglia rosa, or perhaps lots of infighting from the GC hopefuls. (read: Simoni to Quick-Step or Cofidis, 3 August and Rujano to Quick-Step in mid-2006, 17 August)

T-Mobile Add Honchar and Mazzoleni

Serhiy Honchar (Domina Vacanze) and Eddy Mazzoleni (Lampre-Caffita) will be joining the German squadra of T-Mobile. Honchar (35) has been given a high offer to bring his TT and overall GC skills into the magenta team. Presumably they want the former world TT champion to help support their new signing, Mazzoleni (32). The Italian wanted to stay with Lampre-Caffita, but there is a restructuring and changing of sponsors.

Gil, Valjavec and Astarloa to Lampre-Caffita

Lampre-Caffita is losing a sponsor and searching for a new second sponsor for 2006. Caffita (formerly Saeco) will not continue as a sponsor, and that leaves Lampre looking for a second company to share in expenses. The Italian company Valsir, of Barloworld-Valsir, is the likely candidate to join up with Lampre, making Lampre-Valsir. Valsir would bring the 2003 world champion, Igor Astarloa, who was with Lampre for a short time in 2004. (read: Lampre-Caffita Break-up The Band, 10 August)

Lampre-Caffita were impressed with Koldo Gil's (27, Liberty Seguros-Würth) riding in this year's Giro d'Italia, where he won stage 7 to Pistoia after a long break-away. Also joining Gil as a possible transfer is Tadej Valjavec (28). The Slovenian rode an impressive Giro for Phonak this year, finishing second to Ivan Parra on the Passo dello Stelvio stage. The signing of Gil and Valjavec strengthens the team's goal of a second Giro victory with Damiano Cunego.

Quinziato, Paolini and Young-Guns to Liquigas-Bianchi

Italians, Luca Paolini (Quick-Step) and Manuel Quinziato (Saunier Duval-Prodir), are close to joining the cooly-colored squadra of Liquigas-Bianchi. Paolini (28) has had an impressive return to form after battling with early-season knee problems. Quinziato (25) is an up-and-comer with strong skills in stage races. He put his legs to work in the Eneco Tour, coming close to a stage win in a last-minute attack.

Liquigas-Bianchi is investing in the future by signing two young-guns, Roman Kreuziger and Eros Capecchi, both 19 years-old. The Czech, Kreuziger, won the junior world championships in Verona last year, showing his promise of future cycling stardom. One of the men that Roman beat to win the rainbow jersey was Capecchi, who finished 4th. The Italian has already started riding in some smaller races with Liquigas-Bianchi.

Bennati the Sprinter

Daniele Bennati (Lampre-Caffita) won the fifth stage of the Deutschland Tour in a bunch gallop, making it a twofer in Germany. The Italian was victorious in Friedrichshafen after 219K, beating Roger Hammond (Discovery Channel) and Baden Cooke (Française Des Jeux). "We arrived right on time for the sprint. Moreni tried an attack, also Barredo made an escape, a Genuine attempt by Barredo ... the usual tactic from the squad of [Manolo] Saiz," reflected Bennati after the stage win.

Bennati (25) now is marked as a rider to watch in a sprint finishes. "I don't want to define myself as a pure sprinter, and the flat stages don't please me," said the Italian, trying to downplay his new sprinter label. "If I must select my ideal sprint, I would say that it is one like that of Cipollini or Petacchi, with a train that makes a gradual rise in speed ... because I don't like to be elbowed, and I am a little afraid." Stay tuned for more Bennati sprint action in today's stage 6.

It is likely that Bennati will be selected by Italian team DS, Franco Ballerini, for the upcoming World Championships in Madrid. Bennati's speed would be of great use to Alessandro Petacchi in his quest for the rainbow jersey. "I hope that I am down for the Worlds, Ballerini has not called me but I am hoping." For the following season Bennati adds, "In fact, with this victory, I hope my merits are confirmed by Lampre for next year."

Deutschland Tour, 15 - 23 August
Main, Startlist, Overall Map, Photos

19 August News ...