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28 August 2005

29 August News ...

The Killer at GP Ouest France

Today there are two ProTour races taking place: La Vuelta a España and the GP Ouest France. The Killer, Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi), has his sights set on the latter. His goal is to race, and gain ProTour points in the French classic, followed by the Tour de Pologne, Züri Metzgete and the Giro di Lombardia.

"In the Deutschland Tour [last week] I exited on a rise and now I am confident," The Killer (29) explained. "In the season finale there are Zurich and Lombardia that are separated by two weeks, in the middle there is Paris-Tours. I would prefer not to race the French race, I don't like it very much, and I am convinced I can make a good result in the other two."

Today the 226K course of the GP Ouest France beckons the Killer. He will have his work cut out for him in western France, as the home teams will desperately want to show well. "It is a difficult circuit and I need to keep my eyes open," said Di Luca. "But I feel well and I have the whole squad riding for me. I have ridden the course many years ago and I know that it has changed a little." In 2005 the race will take in a circuit of 14.150K, starting and ending in Plouay (western France). The circuit, with two significant rises, is usually selective enough to hold off an out-right bunch sprint. (read: Levi Moves up in ProTour (Standings), 25 August)

Fastest Italian in Spain: Simoni

Russian, Denis Menchov, may have won the opening TT of the Vuelta a España, but right behind him was a super-fast Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Caffita). Gibo finished 20" behind Menchov in 10th, the fastest Italian of the day. It was quite an amazing ride for a little climber on a 7K TT course.

"It was sincerely a surprise," explained Gibo. "I did not think at the start that I was so well, all the while after the Volta a Portugal I was soft pedaling." On the course there was a 3rd Cat. climb at 2.3K, this was beneficial to some of the smaller riders. "Probably the climb at the beginning of the course gave me an advantage. ... I was aware that my legs were turning great."

Now the tifosi are hoping for Simoni to be a possible challenger in the race overall. He has won the Giro d'Italia two times in the past and can climb with the best of the Spaniards. Simoni still prefers to play down his chances, "I will not make any promises, but this ride reinforces my morale and that of the squad. I consider it a good start to the tour." (read: Simoni Leads Lampre-Caffita at Vuelta, 23 August)

Menchov Is King of Granada

Denis Menchov (Rabobank) became the first rider to wear the Golden Jersey in the 60th Vuelta a España. "This is my sixth season as a professional and, I must admit, there have been occasions on which I have not lived up to expectations," said an honest Menchov after his stage 1 win. The 27 year-old achieved his first victory of the season yesterday, a nice way to repay Rabobank for their faith in him.

"I did not think that I would perform well enough to beat the time trial specialists", said the Russian. Menchov is no flash in the pan, last year riding for Illes Balears he won stage 5 of the Vuelta, a stage of Paris-Nice and the overall of the Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco. "I feel good and I want to take it day by day. There is still a lot of racing to be done. I have confidence in myself and in my team." Today the riders face 189K, from Granada to Córdoba, and the Rabo-rider should be able to hang on to his golden lead.

60th Vuelta a España:
Startlist
Stages and Maps, Key Stages, Overall Map
Photos, Dust Devil's Daily Wrap

Manuele Mori Add Two

Manuele Mori has renewed his contract for two years (2006-7) with Saunier Duval-Prodir. Mori (25) has been a pro since 2002, racing the last two years with the Spanish-Swiss squad, Saunier Duval-Prodir. The young rider from Toscana had a great ride in the spring, finishing well in the Milano-Sanremo, La Flèche Wallonne, and the Giro d'Italia.

Ivan Parra to Cofidis

Ivan Parra has signed a two year agreement with the French outfit, Cofidis. Next year the Colombian will make the switch from Selle Italia-Colombia to Cofidis. Eric Boyer, Cofidis DS, announced the contract yesterday in Granada after the first stage of the Vuelta a España.

The Colombian (29) turned Italy upside-down this year, winning back-to-back stages in the Giro d'Italia (stage 13 and stage 14). It was a dominant show of force that raised many eyebrows by tifosi and team managers. Next year Parra may have a chance to ride the Tour de France, where his brother, Fabio, finished 3rd overall in 1988. (read: Ivan Parra: Hero of the Dolomites (25 May), Rujano to Quick-Step in mid-2006 (17 August))

27 August News ...