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10 September 2005

11 September News ...

Triki Beltrán Calls it a Day

On stage 13, with the finish at the Santuario de la Bien Aparecida, Manuel "Triki" Beltrán climbed off his Trek and put an end to his Vuelta a España campaign. This has multiple implications. First, the Discovery Channel rider was sitting comfortably in the top 10 prior to his abandonment. Secondly, his teammate, Tom Danielson, would have most certainly called on Triki's expertise to pace him in the remaining mountains. Danielson and Menchov are now the lone non-Spaniards in the top 10. The Americano is going to have to fight tooth and nail to fend off all the attacking Spaniards looking for glory in their home tour.
- Paco

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

Spanish Squadra Decision Time for Antequera

Paco Antequera, Spanish national team selector, will be announcing Spain's final roster for the World Championships in the coming week. On Radio Marca Antequera was quoted as saying, "Basically, Valverde is not going to ride the Worlds. I don't have confidence in a rider that doesn't participate in any races before the Worlds like the Tour of Poland." However, mere hours after making this declaration, it seems that Antequera has changed his mind.

A series of phone calls between all interested parties took place, and Antequera had this to say to the RFEC: "I've spoken with Valverde and he's told me what happened to him, but he's asked me to wait a little before making a final decision. It's a given that he's always been a rider who's shown very well in the two previous editions of the World Championships that he participated in. And he wants very much to be in Madrid, apart from being an important cyclist in our plans, I'm going to give him the benefit of doubt and I will wait until the beginning of next week before announcing the final list, even though I'm considerably worried."
- Paco

Danilo Di Luca To Tour de Pologne

For the ProTour leader, Danilo Di Luca, the Tour de Pologne is key to win the white jersey overall. The Italian of Liquigas-Bianchi will make his final push to win the overall in the first edition of the ProTour. This Monday he will take the line in the Tour de Pologne (12 - 18 September), aiming to gain more ProTour points.

The 29-year-old is coming off of a two week stop in competition, "I've been training hard to recover peak condition. I'm going for the best: both stage wins and, above all, an excellent overall placing." Di Luca is heading to the stage race in order to win, "Of course I want to win, I do. Firstly, the Tour de Pologne is a race of great value. Secondly, the 50 points for the overall winner would strengthen my leadership. If I won the Tour de Pologne, I would almost get it ..."

The Killer must face the final uphill time trial stage before taking overall glory. "The last time trial stage is unusual but decisive to win the Tour de Pologne. The first part is flat, and the final part there is a very steep climb. That's a kind of mountain time trial ... "

Di Luca will be eyeing the main suspects, "Rebellin, Vinokourov and Julich. As usual." But his team, Liquigas-Bianchi, will be packing a powerful lineup to help The Killer achieve his goals. The full squadra: Danilo Di Luca, Dario Andriotto, Vladimir Miholjevic, Marco Milesi, Nicola Loda, Andrea Noè, Luciano Pagliarini and Marco Righetto.

9 September News ...