BiciRace.com :: News :: August 2005

News :: August 2005

30 August 2005

Fassa And The Ale-Jet

Petacchi Wins In Spain, photo: © Unipublic

Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) did his thing yesterday, he stormed to victory in stage 3 of the Vuelta a España. His Italian team took over affairs in the last 4K, starting with Matteo Tosatto, Alberto Ongarato and then Marco Velo. You get the picture, it was a pounding pace on the streets of Puertollano, no one could come around the cement boys. "In the last 150 metes, when I was set free from the train, no one could recover to come around or match me," said Ale-Jet after the win.

"I believe that this victory has a high value," continued Petacchi (31). "The stage was short, but it was awfully hot, we had raced in 40 to 42°C temperatures, and this is at the end of a hard race." Ale-Jet then pointed out how he turned the screws on Zabel, Boonen and Hushovd, "I won in front of three of the strongest sprinters in the world. ... If at the end I arrived in front then it means I am the strongest."

"I am here to find the best condition for the upcoming Worlds, but also to win. I am happy to re-enter and win, because I have not done so in a long time." Now Ale-Jet has won 13 stages in his career at the Vuelta: 2 in 2000, 1 in 2002, 5 in 2003, and 4 in 2004. He is fifth overall with stage wins at the Vuelta, equal to that of Rominger, Maertens and Karstens. In front of Ale-Jet for stage wins are: Delio Rodríguez (39), Jalabert and Van Looy (18), and Kelly (16).

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

Bernucci Signs with T-Mobile

Lorenzo Bernucci In Rain, photo: CyclingTime.com

T-Mobile has signed Lorenzo Bernucci (25) for a two year deal, 2006-7. Currently Bernucci is racing for Fassa Bortolo, in fact he helped Petacchi to a stage win yesterday in the Vuelta a España. You might remember this Italian from his stage 6 win in this year's Tour de France. He battled free of a rain soaked peloton to win the stage in Nancy. "The switch to the T-Mobile is a big step in my career. My stage win at the Tour de France shows what I am capable of. Now I want to build on this success," added Bernucci via T-Mobile.

Gonzalez de Galdeano for Heras

Igor González de Galdeano is not feeling so great in this year's Vuelta a España. "I'm not that good as I was in April ... There's a big difference compared with last year," said the 31 year-old rider of Liberty Seguros-Würth. Igor plans to put all of his pain aside and be super-domestique to Roberto, "As long as Roberto is feeling good, there is no problem."

Raining Fire in Spain

The BiciRace.com crew is feeling the heat of the Vuelta a España, and the temperatures are making life challenging for the riders. "This heat will take its toll on the riders," said Manolo Saiz, team Liberty Seguros-Würth DS. "I have already seen how some riders have fallen behind, but that's normal, because it is raining fire and that drastically wears the riders out."

Saiz has instructed his squadra to take it easy in these first stages, without overexerting themselves. "This heat is the same for everyone, but obviously we Spanish can bear it better than the foreign riders," continued Saiz, while noting the sweat on our faces. "I am happy with my team. At the moment we are trying to reach the Valdelinares stage [stage 6] without drawing too much attention. We'll see what happens then and how much damage this heat has caused."

Mayo rides for Aitor Gonzalez

Iban Mayo (Euskaltel-Euskadi) is going to give his best for Aitor González, former winner of the Vuelta a España. Mayo is finding the racing hard, and is also feeling pains in his back and legs. The Basque rider will abandon all hopes of a GC placing, and instead focus on helping González win a 2nd Vuelta. The BiciRace.com staff wish Iban Mayo the best of luck. (Read the Mayo interview for more information on our Basque friend.)

29 August News ...