BiciRace.com :: News :: August 2005

News :: August 2005

29 August 2005

Vuelta Pulls No Punches

Bertagnolli Wins in front of McGee, photo: © Unipublic

The organizers of the Vuelta a España really know how to put on a show. Yesterday, in stage 2 to Córdoba, a double race was played out: one for gold and one for the win. Bradley McGee (Française Des Jeux) got the gold jersey and Leonardo Bertagnolli (Cofidis) took the stage win. It was stage racing excitement that simply cannot be found in the opening week of the Tour de France.

Bertagnolli (27) has finally come through for his French squadra, Cofidis. The Italian joined Cofidis in 2005 after spending his entire professional career with Saeco (since 2002). His season took some time to get off the ground due to sickness, but now he has delivered with a big win, adding to a Tour du Limousin stage win 10 days ago.

"I never have said that I was a rider to win the Giro or the Vuelta, but I was never someone that you could count out at the end of a race," said the Cofidis rider after the win. "I had suffered some terrible times this year and it was a true disaster. After the Tour de Suisse [19 June], I decided to stop myself and find stable health. I have to thank my squadra, who never put any pressure on me. They were very calm and only worried that I would recover."

Bertagnolli will wait until the stage 9 TT to decide his plans. "At the Vuelta I planned to take a stage in the second week, and now I have achieved my objective early. After the TT in Lloret de Mar I will evaluate where I stand. If I am not too far behind the other riders then I will go for the classification."

First Aussie in All Three

McGee Takes Gold, photo: © Unipublic

Bradley McGee (Française Des Jeux) became the first Australian to wear the leader's jersey in all three grand tours. Yesterday he achieved this bit of history when he finished 2nd to Leonardo Bertagnolli (Cofidis) in Córdoba. The Aussie gained enough time on his rivals to secure top spot in the GC, and thus be awarded that cool golden jersey.

Troubles for Bettini and Figueras

Paolo Bettini (Quick-Step) had a little problem yesterday in stage 2 of the Vuelta a España. While riding along in the stage, the Italian banged his left knee on his handlebars. Paolo visited the medic car to get an ice bag for his knee, to help with the pain. "Then, a kilometer from the GPM, I felt a cramp in the same zone," explained Bettini. After the stage Bettini had his knee examined by the Quick-Step doctors, and he still plans to ride today's stage 3. "In this season it is like this, there is always something."

Giuliano Figueras (Lampre-Caffita) was the first rider to abandon from the Vuelta. After 66K in stage 2 the rider from Napoli called it quits due to an intestinal problem. The night before Figueras was vomiting and had trouble sleeping. (Throughout the Vuelta, you can refer to the BiciRace.com startlist for a complete list of riders that abandon. Their names will be crossed out, like 143 Figueras Giuliano.)

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

The Killer and Tintin Continue Battle after Ouest

Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) is facing some stiff competition from Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner). Yesterday in the GP Ouest France Rebellin finished 3rd and moved up in the ProTour standings. While The Killer, Di Luca, finished in 12th and did not gain any ProTour points to add to his lead. Currently in the ProTour standings Di Luca has 184 points and Rebellin has 126.

Di Luca, ProTour Man, photo: GP Ouest France

The Killer knows that Rebellin can mount a serious end of season run at the ProTour lead. The Liquigas-Bianchi rider may have his best chance of holding off his fellow Italian at the Tour de Pologne (12 - 18 September), where he can ride well in the GC. "Now I will at least try at the Tour de Pologne, the stages are not enough, I need to finish in the top of the classifications," explained The Killer.

Rebellin knows how to play this game of points, in the years past he always figured in the World Cup competitions. "I will always try to be competitive, even if Di Luca has an advantage," explained Tintin. The battle of Tintin and The Killer is likely to come down to two prestigious races: Züri Metzgete (2 October) and Giro di Lombardia (15 October). "Now I will await the other [ProTour] races, and then Zurich and Lombardia, where I am able to deliver a win," finished Tintin.

Peron Ups with Team CSC

Andrea Peron has renewed his contract with Team CSC for 2006. Peron (34) has been a pro since 1993 and knows his racing inside-out. This year he was a key henchman for Ivan Basso at the Giro d'Italia. Basso and team DS, Bjarne Riis, will be happy to have Peron on their side next year.

Verbrugghe Signs with Cofidis

Verbrugghe and Family, photo: Capture-The -Peloton.com

Rik Verbrugghe (31) has confirmed a two year deal with Cofidis, leaving Quick-Step behind. Rik was with the Belgian squad for only one year, securing a wins in the GP Lugano and the prologue of the Eneco Tour. This last Saturday he finished 2nd to Denis Menchov in the opening TT of the Vuelta a España. You can bet that Rik's salary took a leap in euro after this current season of solid results. Previously the Belgian had a bit of a dry spell, and Quick-Step probably signed him for the 2005 season at a lower salary.

28 August News ...