BiciRace.com :: News :: September 2005

News :: September 2005

20 September 2005

2005 Squadra Azzurra Profile

Brett Lancaster On Aussie Squadra

Brett At Giro, photo: Panaria-Navigare

Aussie Fast-Man, Brett Lancaster, will be with his mates on the World Championship start line in Madrid. Yesterday BiciRace.com spoke with Lancaster who just got the thumbs up: "Got some breaking news ... I'm in the worlds team now." It is a well deserved spot for Lancaster, who had a storming spring. The Panaria-Navigare rider took the Maglia Rosa in the opening prologue of the Giro d'Italia, gaining instant fame all around Italy.

The course is suited well for Lancaster's team captain, Robbie McEwen. There is a tricky U-turn with 600 meters to the line. "All the better for Robbie, a crazy bend," said Lancaster to BiciRace.com. The 25 year-old will most likely be working to keep Robbie out of the wind, and helping with lead-out duties. We wish the Australian Squadra, and McEwen, the best of luck.

Aussie Road Squadra:
Baden Cooke (Française Des Jeux)
Allan Davis (Liberty Seguros-Würth)
Cadel Evans (Davitamon-Lotto)
Mathew Hayman (Rabobank)
Brett Lancaster (Panaria-Navigare)
Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto)
Bradley McGee (Française Des Jeux)
Michael Rogers (Quick-Step)
Henk Vogels (Davitamon-Lotto)

Read:
Panaria-Navigare 1-2-3 in Misano Adriatico, 19 September
Aussie Squadra For Worlds, 13 September
Interview with Brett Lancaster

Day of Complete Rest for Petacchi

Alessandro Petacchi and Fassa Bortolo teammate, Lorenzo Bernucci, took a complete day of rest yesterday. The two riders just came off a long Vuelta a España, where Ale-Jet was victorious in five stages. The World Championships are Sunday, but yesterday was a day of lounging around the Madrid hotel and meetings. Petacchi even had to drive to the airport to pick up his wife, who will be in Madrid to watch the race action.

Kits and Waiting for Squadra Azzurra

2005 Italia Kit, photo: BiciRace.com

The World Championships are Sunday, but today and yesterday was a chance for the Squadra Azzurra to try out their team kits. Sportful is the manufacture of the team gear, and of course it is primarily all blue (azzurro). All 11 road team members were fitted with their casual and race gear.

Ballerini has yet to name the final nine members, but a decision is expected soon. "This year I have yet to make my selection, I have selected 11 riders that are in-form, and all would be able to help take the title," said the Italian team DS. "There are young riders, who will have many Worlds ahead of them, a chance to be repaid, like Petacchi when he raced in Zolder [for Cipollini]."

German Wesemann Will Race For Swiss Squadra

Steffen Wesemann (T-Mobile) will race on team Switzerland for the upcoming World Championships. Even though Wesemann is German, he was married to a Swiss five years ago, thus he became a naturalized citizen of Switzerland. Yes, it is a little confusing to us at BiciRace.com too. Nevertheless, the Swiss squadra will welcome the 2004 Tour of Flanders winner with open arms.

Swiss Squadra:
Michael Albasini (Liquigas-Bianchi)
Roger Beuchat (Barloworld-Valsir)
Patrick Calcagni (Liquigas-Bianchi)
Fabian Cancellara (Fassa Bortolo)
Aurélien Clerc (Phonak)
Martin Elmiger (Phonak)
Gregory Rast (Phonak)
Marcus Zberg (Gerolsteiner)
Steffen Wesemann (T-Mobile)

Madrid World Championships, 22 & 25 September
Main Worlds Page
Time Trial, TT Profile, TT Overall Map, TT Startlist
Road Race, RR Profile, RR Overall Map, RR Startlist

100 Years of the Giro di Lombardia

Race Profile, photo: Gazzetta dello Sport

This year will mark 100 years since the first Giro di Lombardia. The first edition took place on 12 November 1905, and this year's race will be 15 October. This year is the 99th edition of the 'race of the falling leaves', there was a stop of the race during the 2nd World War.

Yesterday in Como the route of the 99th Giro di Lombardia was announced. The race starts in Mendrisio Switzerland and ends in Como Italy, almost all of the 246K are completely in the Lombardia region. From Mendrisio the riders will head towards Lake Como, traveling up and around the lake, and down through Lecco. From there the riders will wind their way up to Bellagio before starting the famed ascent of Madonna del Ghisallo. After topping the Ghisallo it is then another 45K downhill to Como, where the 2005 winner will be decided. Last year it was an epic battle, where Damiano Cunego took victory over Ivan Basso. (View the 2005 race profile.)

19 September News ...