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22 August 2005

23 August News ...

Evans Heats Up Germany

Cadel Evans (Davitamon-Lotto) took out an epic victory yesterday in a soggy stage 7 of the Deutschland Tour. What made his victory sweeter is that he was part of a small group to drop his old T-Mobile mate, Jan Ullrich. Not only that, it was in T-Mobile land, Germany, where the Aussie powered to victory. Remember, Cadel Evans had a two year stint with the German formation, T-Mobile, that was a match made in hell (2003 and 2004). The final straw that broke Evan's back was when he was left off the 2004 Tour de France squad, after kicking some tail in the Tour of Austria.

"Finally! I've been close plenty of times this year, but it finally came together on the climb to Feldberg today," noted Evans via his website. "It's a bit trickier to win stages when you're riding for GC, but it does happen. Pouring rain as usual here." The stage was in Germany's Black Forest, and the weather was just miserable. The look of Evans crossing the line, in ski mitts, says it all.

Ulle Limited Damage

Jan Ullrich (T-Mobile) does not like cold weather, and considering yesterday's stage 7 of the Deutschland Tour was raced under cold and raining conditions, he did great. "I wasn't expecting to make up any time on Leipheimer today. He was too strong in Sölden and left no doubts. Unfortunately I ended up losing some time," said Ulle post stage via T-Mobile.

"I know the whole area, the Feldberg included, like the back of my hand. That was important today, because visibility was poor during this stage. Also in eight degrees I was freezing out there, and the cold just won't go away. The conditions are really atrocious this year. I have never experienced such a rain soaked cycling tour. It really starts to gnaw away at the morale ..."

It was a day for the German to limit his losses, before today's deciding TT. "The rain has been leaving me feeling a bit sluggish. For that reason it will also not be any easier for me tomorrow to make up time." The stage 8 TT course is 31.1K and the German is 1'26" (5th) behind Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner) in the overall GC.

Liberty Excites Race

Liberty Seguros-Würth did one heck of a race yesterday in Germany, stage 7. Manolo Saiz, team DS, had his boys racing like a team should race, aggressive and always represented. First it was Carlos Barredo who went in the day's escape group, then it was Alberto Contador and Jörg Jaksche in the finale. Contador counter-attacked as soon as Barredo was reeled in, almost staying away for stage glory, while forcing the other teams to chase. Jaksche was tucked behind the other riders as they tried to pull back his Spanish friend. When Contador was back in the fold, it was the German to push on the accelerator. Jaksche went too hard and died out, but it was a nice effort.

At the end of a cold day in Germany the Liberty boys missed out on the victory. However, the Spanish squadra should be applauded for their aggressiveness. The tifosi love this style of offensive racing, even if it did not produce the win.

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

Disco at the Vuelta

Discovery Channel have announced their 9-man team that will take part in the 2005 Vuelta a España. "The Ace", Jose Azevedo, will lead the squadra through the Spanish country side. The sole Americano on the team, Tom Danielson, is back after an early departure from the Giro d'Italia. BiciRace.com will be pulling hard for our amico Americano. Here is the full squadra: Ace José Azevedo, Michael Barry, Manuel "Triki" Beltrán, Tom Danielson, Stijn Devolder, Leif Hoste, Benoît Joachim (the Lux), Benjamin Noval and Mad Max Van Heeswijk.

Ballerini To Name Azzurra After 10 Days

Franco Ballerini, Italian national DS, will name the nine men for the Squadra Azzurra after the first 10 day of the Vuelta a España. This should give Ballerini enough time to evaluate the riders in Spain, while still leaving time to for the chosen riders to prepare. The World Championships are on 25 September, in Madrid.

Riders assured of a spot on the team are Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) and Paolo Bettini (Quick-Step). Other riders that are almost guaranteed a spot are Lorenzo Bernucci (Fassa Bortolo), Filippo Pozzato (Quick-Step) and Marco Velo (Fassa Bortolo). Ballerini was very impressed with Bernucci's stage win in the Tour de France, and his recent performances in the Trittico Lombardo. Other riders that BiciRace.com sees on the up-and-up are Daniele Bennati and Alessandro Ballan (both Lampre-Caffita). We have been impressed with Bennati's performance in the Deutschland Tour, winning two stages.

21 August News ...