BiciRace.com :: News :: August 2005

News :: August 2005

31 August 2005

T-Lo on the Disco Floor

T-Lo signs, photo: Tour of Georgia

Discovery Channel have signed up Trent Lowe for the coming 2006 season. This year T-Lo (20), riding for Jittery Joe's-Kalahari, impressed at the Tour of Georgia by winning the young rider GC, and finishing 11th in the overall GC. During the Tour of Georgia the young Aussie was under the guiding hands of fellow teammates: Geoff Kabush and Tim Johnson. His performances were more than enough to impress head Disco DS, Johann Bruyneel.

Ale-Jet Recovers for Twofer

Petacchi Wins Second, photo: © Unipublic

A dodgy curve in the final meters of Stage 4 of the Vuelta a España could not stop Alessandro Petacchi from winning a second day in a row. His Fassa Bortolo train was slightly derailed in the final kilometer, but Ale-Jet stepped up the task: winning the sprint. "Trenti was on the rear wheel of Ongarato and when he went it was the same as usual," Ale-Jet after the win. "[After Ongarato] Velo saw the situation and opened it up quick, it was a long way out. He was not able to do it any differently, and he was not able to leave me with the maximum velocity for the last meters because he was a little blown. At 200 meters to go I felt good, but Steels jumped. But I was able to recover and make a good sprint."

These sort of situations can arise in a fast paced sprint. Sometimes a sprint train can only serve so much purpose, and a rider is left to his own devices. Petacchi showed some great legs when he recovered from a slowing in tempo, and to counter the sprint of Tom Steels (Davitamon-Lotto).

Of course Italian national team DS, Franco Ballerini, is in Spain, and he is watching Petacchi closely. "I remember three years ago when Cipollini won here in Spain, then went on to win the Worlds, I hope we have good fortune again," explained Ballerini. "I saw a great Petacchi today. The finale was a little elongated, but Alessandro was able to benefit."

Ballerini was impressed given the harsh day, "This was not only the longest stage of the Vuelta, but there was a lot of struggles: a battle with the winds and the heat." Stage 4 was 230K under hot conditions (upper 30°C). Petacchi is mainly at the Vuelta for Worlds preparation. The World Championships are 25 September and Ballerini has confidence, "I have never had any doubts with him, but now the project is able to commence, and we know how we have to construct the team."

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

Aldag In A Spot of Bother

Aldag in Pain, photo: © Unipublic

Rolf Aldag (T-Mobile) took a heavy spill in Monday's stage 3 of the Vuelta a España. The veteran rouleur hit a guard rail and suffered lacerations to the groin area. Tifosi were impressed when Aldag remounted his machine and rode to the finish. After the stage the German was treated, and he will now take the Vuelta day by day.

Oscar Sevilla Passes Home

Oscar Sevilla (T-Mobile) passed his home village yesterday in stage 4 of the Vuelta a España. The peloton allowed Sevilla to ride ahead and greet his family and friends in Ossa de Montiel. It was only a quick stop for kisses for the Spaniard, then he was chasing back through the caravan to rejoin the peloton. Sevilla is riding on a team that is dedicated to the efforts of Erik Zabel, but he insists that he will launch some missiles when the race reaches the mountains.

Tadej Valjavec to Lampre-Caffita

Tadej Valjavec (28) will ride the next 2 years with Lampre-Caffita (2006-2007). The Slovenian climber had a great ride in this year's Giro d'Italia, climbing with the best of the best. In fact, the Valjavec won the baby-Giro 6 years ago as an amateur. He spent 3 years riding with Fassa Bortolo and then the last two with Phonak. Valjavec will be a valuable mountain domestique to Damiano Cunego in next year's Giro.

30 August News ...