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1 September 2005

2 September News ...

Ferretti and Simoni Join Forces

Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Caffita), 2X winner of the Giro d'Italia, has still not signed for a new team. Cofidis and Quick-Step were courting the Italian but have been unable to obtain his signature on a contract. Meanwhile, Fassa Bortolo Team Manager, Giancarlo Ferretti, has been in talks with a non-Italian media company. This company is rumored to have loads of cash for the Iron Sergeant to build a ProTour team.

The best of the Fassa Bortolo riders have already signed new contracts for 2006, when they knew that Fassa Bortolo were not going to renew their sponsorship. One rider that the Iron Sergeant has his eyes on is Simoni, who could bring in the sponsorship and admittance into the ProTour. Stay tuned to BiciRace.com for more developments. (read: Simoni Joins Quick-Step (20 August) and Fassa Bortolo to Merge with Lampre-Caffita (16 July))

Hushovd Hangs on Alto de Castillo

Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole) held tight when the attacks started on the Alto de Castillo. In stage 5 of the Vuelta a España the Norwegian (27) was one of the few sprinters to recover on the final 10K down to Cuenca. Petacchi and Zabel missed out, leaving only Boonen to pose a serious threat. Quick-Step botched the finish, leaving Hushovd to work his magic. The Vuelta win is his 6th win this season, which includes winning the points competition in the Tour de France, you know, that green jersey that the Aussies usually fight over.

"After the Tour I was tired for about a week, then I started to prepare for the Vuelta," explained the happy winner. Hushovd, like many, is using the Vuelta as a training ground for the World Championships. "The condition is there, it is a pity at the Worlds that I am the only rider from Norway. If my federation wants to send another rider, they probably couldn't ... And that is not correct. But ultimately I will try to do my best, fighting Boonen and Petacchi."

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

Mayo's Vuelta È Finito!

Everywhere BiciRace.com goes in Spain, the fans are always cheering for Iban Mayo. The Euskaltel-Euskadi rider is somewhat of a legend, winning Mont-Ventoux and L'Alpe d'Huez will do that to you. Unfortunately those were victories of past years, this year, 2005, has not been so kind to our Basque friend. Yesterday the tifosi might have seen the end of his season, when Mayo abandoned in stage 5 of the Vuelta a España.

Two days ago Mayo declared he was not fit, but insisted that he would ride for Aitor González. But yesterday he could not continue riding, due to back and leg pains. Julián Gorospe, Euskaltel-Euskadi DS, indicated the worse, "Ivan's season is over. We know the problems he has, because we have seen the medical results. He had the same problem riding in the Tour, but we had hoped it was passed. The pain comes from the back, and goes down to his leg." Gorospe was upset for his star rider, adding "He has sank morally." (read: Mayo rides for Aitor Gonzalez, 30 August)

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 107 Mayo Iban.

Alto de Castillo: Hell of the South

Alto de Castillo is a long way from the northern classics, but the climb provided plenty of tumbles and pain in stage 5 of the Vuelta a España. Cobbles lined most of the ascent of the day's only climb. Every rider was fighting for the gutter, where there was smooth pavement, which is very similar to the riding in the northern classics. Floyd Landis (Phonak) and Aitor González (Euskaltel-Euskadi) were two of the many casualties. Landis came off the worst, loosing chunks of time to the GC contenders.

The descent proved just as tortuous and tricky, taking out riders who were desperate to rejoin the front group. José Azevedo (Discovery Channel) and Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Prodir) hit the deck. Their crash was mostly due to the tension in the pack and the rough pavement. Both riders were able to remount and minimize their time loss.

Flecha Digs Petacchi

Juan Antonio Flecha had nothing but praise for his Fassa Bortolo teammate, Alessandro Petacchi, after yesterday's stage finish in the Vuelta a España. Ale-Jet saw stage 5 as a stage for Flecha, and was doing all he could to help the Spaniard succeed. The Italian waited up for his mate after he was involved in a last-minute spill. Flecha was very impressed with Petacchi's human and sporting gestures, calling the Italian a 'great champion and person.'

Aramón Valdelinares Awaits

Today the riders of the Vuelta a España will tackle first of six summit finishes in this Tour. Stage 6 to Estación de Esquí Aramón Valdelinares will cover 217K, three categorized climbs, with the final leg-crushing cat. 1 up to the Valdelinares ski-station (See Profile). Expect this climb to rewrite the Vuelta GC.

31 August News ...