BiciRace.com :: News :: September 2005

News :: September 2005

24 September 2005

Petacchi Rides For Milram in 2006

Milram, a mega dairy cooperative, will take the place as sole sponsor for the new squadra of Alessandro Petacchi and Erik Zabel. Domina Vacanze will leave the sport after three seasons, making way for the new German sponsor. Milram, which forms part of the German Nordmilch group, will be the name mentioned anytime there is a sprint royale. Team Manager, Gianluigi Stanga, will keep the team's Italian license but the team will have a German flavor.
Read: Zabel and Domina Vacanze-Nordmilch, 23 August

No More U-Turn In Worlds

Old U-Turn, photo: Davitamon-Lotto

Only 48 hours to go until the World Championship road race and the course has been changed. The final turn, a U-turn, with 600 meters to go was deemed too dangerous by UCI technical advisor, Charly Mottet. Mottet and the UCI's technical commission responded to a growing number of complaints about the likelihood of a serious crash in the finale of the Worlds.

Now the riders will take three turns instead of the original U-turn. The riders will face 90° left, then a softer, and slower, 180° turn, before a final 90° right-hander. This will either set the riders towards the finish line, or south to Granada. All kidding aside, this new approach sounds much better to the crew at BiciRace.com.

Boonen and McEwen Before Training, photo: Davitamon-Lotto

Just yesterday we reported that the Belgian, Tom Boonen, thought that the original U-turn was "totally irresponsible." Alessandro Petacchi seems not to mind either way, "I am not worried about the last turn, if we arrive in a sprint the problems will be for the others, not for me." Perhaps the only sprinter that might miss the final U-turn is Robbie McEwen. The Aussie fast-man thrives in these sort of dodgy conditions.
read: Tom Boonen Not Impressed With Worlds, 23 September

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

Bramati and Ballan On Bench

Davide Bramati and Alessandro Ballan will be the two reserves for the Squadra Azzurra. Italian national DS, Franco Ballerini, announced that the two riders would not take the start line on Sunday in the World Championships. Ballerini had brought 11 road members to Madrid, but can only start the race with nine. It was known for sometime that Ballan would not make the team, but the news of Bramati came yesterday.

"I have known Franco for my entire life," said Bramati (37). "We were teammates and roommates, on the road and while traveling. We are friends. To understand each other we don't need too many words, a look is usually enough to understand each other's intentions. But this time we did talk, he presented his opinion, I said mine. It was all with sincerity and honesty. I understand though that at the end that is this the better decision." There had been a lot of media attention on Ballerini and the selection of the final 9-man squadra. "Clearly I don't like the madness that surrounds the Worlds and the decision of the team," added Bramati.

As for the younger Ballan, he has many more years ahead of him for the Worlds. This is only the 25 year-old's 2nd season as a professional. "Imagine that I found out about my non-selection in the paper two days ago. I have always dreamed of being on the Squadra Azzurra, and my dream did not end until Ballerini officially told me that I was not selected. It's nothing ... to be here is a grand experience, and no one can take that good feeling from me.

The pressure had been on Ballerini all year to select the final 9-man squadra, and now the decision has been made. The DS explained: "One year ago Ballan and Bramati had fixed spots on the team, but in the last month Paolini has really risen to form, it is almost unthinkable. Bramati has always demonstrated that he is a grand professional. At the Worlds in 2002 he was part of the great team that came together to win." The talk went well between the two former teammates, "he understood my reasons and accepted the exclusion."

2005 Squadra Azzurra Profile

Rinero and Pagliarini to Saunier Duval-Prodir

Pagliarini to Saunier, photo: Capture-The -Peloton.com

Brazilian sprinter Luciano Pagliarini has just signed a 2-year contract with Saunier Duval-Prodir. Luciano will be racing on the team of his good friend, Matteo Algeri, who is a DS on the squadra. BiciRace.com spoke with Matteo yesterday, and the Bergamasco was happy to have the Brazilian sprint-force on his team. Pagliarini (27) was with Lampre for many years, before joining Liquigas-Bianchi for the current season. Also coming aboard the yellow squadra is Christophe Rinero (31). The Frenchman, now with R.A.G.T. Semences, is a former wearer of the Tour de France climbers's jersey and placed 4th in the GC.
read: Chat with the Director Sportivo, Matteo Algeri

23 September News ...