BiciRace.com :: News :: September 2005

News :: September 2005

13 September 2005

Saiz and Heras Comment on Sunday

Heras In Gold Lead, photo: © Unipublic

Manolo Saiz, DS of Liberty Seguros-Würth, was very pleased with the team's efforts in stage 15 of the Vuelta a España. "I'm very happy because it was a victory of an extraordinary team," explained Saiz at the press conference yesterday in León. "Yesterday [stage 15] turned out great, a surprise, because everybody expected our attack on Pajares." Instead of waiting till the final climb, Roberto Heras launched his offensives on the penultimate climb, the Alto de la Colladiella. "Roberto attacked four times on the climb of Colladiella, and on the downhill he continued with his attack", continued Saiz.

Roberto Heras, now in the leader's golden jersey, was with his team boss at the press conference yesterday in León. Heras said, "It was a Sunday that I will never forget, maybe the most beautiful race that I have ever made. Seriously, this win gave me great satisfaction ... We have harvested the fruits of our team efforts, and it is a collective victory." Now the Vuelta leader looks to the final week, "I have a good advantage, but I have to continue to maintain concentration, calmness and humility."

Blanket for Vicioso and Caruso

Liberty Strength, photo: © Unipublic

In stage 15 of the Vuelta a España Ángel Vicioso and Giampaolo Caruso received the order from Liberty Seguros-Würth team DS, Manolo Saiz, to wait for their captain. Roberto Heras was quickly making his way down Colladiella and needed the assistance of his mates to pace him to the finish. While waiting for Heras the Liberty boys were offered a blanket from a kind lady on the side of the road. The two riders were seen shivering while standing at the side of the road. The blanket never arrived, but Heras did, and the boys paced him on to Vuelta glory.

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

Franco Ballerini Selects Squadra

This Friday in Milano Franco Ballerini, Italian national DS, will select the team for the upcoming World Championships. Ballerini has chosen the Milano Bike Show (EICMA) to make his selection known. The World Championship road race will take place in Madrid only nine days after the announcement. (read: World Championships in 17 Days, 8 September)

Aussie Squadra For Worlds

Mick Rogers, photo: Quick-Step

Cycling Australia has announced the team that will represent Australia in the upcoming World championships in Madrid. On the Aussie squadra is the current World time trial champion, Mick Rogers. The TT champ will make his efforts known in the TT, while in the road race the team has several options. The biggest threat to the other countries is Robbie McEwen. If McEwen is having an off day then look for Allan Davis as a possible option.

Elite Men TT:
Ben Day (MrBookmaker-Sports Tech)
Bradley McGee (Française Des Jeux)
Michael Rogers (Quick-Step)

Elite Men RR:
Baden Cooke (Française Des Jeux)
Allan Davis (Liberty Seguros-Würth)
Cadel Evans (Davitamon-Lotto)
Mathew Hayman (Rabobank)
Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto)
Bradley McGee (Française Des Jeux)
Michael Rogers (Quick-Step)
Rory Sutherland (Rabobank)
Henk Vogels (Davitamon-Lotto)

Boonen and Van Petegem Lead Belgium

Captain Boonen, photo: BiciRace.com

Tom Boonen (Quick-Step) and Peter Van Petegem (Davitamon-Lotto) will lead the Belgium squadra at the upcoming World Championships in Madrid. The two captains combine a mixture of youth and experience. Boonen (24) is the logical choice to lead the squadra, after his spectacular season. While the selection of Van Petegem (35) will add experience and race know-how to the team. The other Belgians there to assist in winning the rainbow jersey are:
Mario Aerts (Davitamon-Lotto)
Björn Leukemans (Davitamon-Lotto)
Wilfried Cretskens (Quick-Step)
Nick Nuyens (Quick-Step)
Stijn Devolder (Discovery Channel)
Philippe Gilbert (Française Des Jeux)
Marc Wauters (Rabobank)

German Squadra For Madrid

The German cycling federation announced yesterday a provisional team of 15 riders for the World Championship road race (25 September 2005). Next week this list will be narrowed down to the final nine riders.

Provisional List:
Rolf Aldag (T-Mobile)
Marcus Burghardt (T-Mobile)
Markus Fothen (Gerolsteiner)
Robert Förster (Gerolsteiner)
Bert Grabsch (Phonak)
Heinrich Haussler (Gerolsteiner)
Jörg Jaksche (Liberty Seguros-Würth)
Matthias Kessler (T-Mobile)
Andreas Klier (T-Mobile)
Sebastian Lang (Gerolsteiner)
Jens Voigt (Team CSC)
Fabian Wegmann (Gerolsteiner)
Erik Zabel (T-Mobile)
Thomas Ziegler (Gerolsteiner)
(read: Germans Announce Provisional Worlds Team, 9 August)

Paolini Recalls Dodgy Pologne Finish

The Tour de Pologne got off to rocky start. Several teams were late taking the start line, and then the finish was marred with a crash. Still stage 1 produced a worthy winner, Baden Cooke (Française Des Jeux). Right behind the Aussie, was Luca Paolini (Quick-Step), who is on the rise after an early season injury.

Paolini reflected after the stage: "The selection was made in front of the last curve ... There was a little bit of wind, but in the line of riders you could not feel it. Cooke was cunning to make the most of the wind, jumping me in the last 20 meters [before the curve]. But he worked hard, confirming that I am going strong. I feel bad somewhat for Pippo and Zazà, who did huge work for me in the last kilometers." The Italian looks to repay his teammates in the coming flat stages, before the tour hits the mountains.

Tour de Pologne, Poland: 12 - 18 September

Preview and Stages, Overall Map, Startlist, Photos

12 September News ...