BiciRace.com :: News :: September 2005

News :: September 2005

25 September 2005

Robbie McEwen Comments On U-Turn Dismissal

McEwen Outside Madrid Stadium, photo: Davitamon-Lotto

"I feel that I am one of the favorites," said Robbie McEwen. The Australian is the hot-pick of many tifosi today in the World Championships. "The last races gave me a huge sense of security. I have prepared with lots of climbing, because it will be a very hard course, like those of the Wallonne area. This is an open Worlds, it is a race that suits attackers, like Bettini, rather than Petacchi and the other sprinters. But if we arrive in a sprint, I will not expect more than 40 riders."

McEwen's chances of a rainbow jersey may have been lessened after yesterday. The UCI technical committee decided to reroute the race, avoiding the final tricky U-turn. Now the riders face a series of turns that should be safer, but less favorable to our Aussie fast-man. "It came to me as a surprise," said a disappointed McJet. "But they have changed it, and now it is very fast with a longer straightaway."

Read:
No More U-Turn In Worlds, 24 September
Tom Boonen Not Impressed With Worlds, 23 September

Boonen Rates McEwen and Petacchi

Boonen and Bettini Buddy-Up, photo: Quick-Step

"I am going better than I was at the Vuelta," said Tom Boonen in regards to today's World Championships. The Belgian Boy-Wonder controlled the affairs in the Tour de Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, followed by a July raid of the Tour de France. Now he is ready to bust-loose in Madrid. Earlier this month his sprinting style was cramped in the third week of the Vuelta by Alessandro Petacchi. "Yes, the favorites remain Petacchi and McEwen. If I don't win the worlds it won't be a huge drama because this season I have already won Flanders and Roubaix," finished Boonen. The Belgian may not become World Champion, but his two Northern wins have made him a legend.

Odds for the Worlds

Why not sit around the TV all day with your cycling friends? Drink shots of Limoncello and place bets. Early this morning, BiciRace.com met with our good friend, Paolo, in Piazza Garibaldi. Paolo gave us some stats that you and your friends can bet by. When we asked Paolo about Zajicek and Raisin, he just said "boh".

Paolo's Odds:
Alessandro Petacchi 1-3
Tom Boonen 1-5
Robbie McEwen 1-6
Paolo Bettini 1-10
Alejandro Valverde 1-14
Alexandre Vinokourov 1-16
Erik Zabel 1-16
Thor Hushovd 1-20
Max Van Heeswijk 1-25
Igor Astarloa 1-30
Peter Van Petegem 1-30
Luca Paolini 1-35
Filippo Pozzato 1-35
Juan Antonio Antonio Flecha 1-42
Fabian Cancellara 1-45
Kim Kirchen 1-45
Jaan Kirsipuu 1-50
Baden Cooke 1-60
Allan Davis 1-60
Steffen Wesemann 1-60
Phil Zajicek (We could not get odds)
Saul Raisin (We could not get odds)

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

2005 Squadra Azzurra Profile

2005 Italia Kit, photo: BiciRace.com

The 2005 World Championships are today in Madrid. The squadra that is mostly highly regarded is the Squadra Azzurra, or the Italian Team. Every year the Italians fight tooth and nail just to be on the team, let alone be a captain. Some Italians resort to American or Argentinean citizenship just so they can go to the Worlds.

BiciRace.com had a meeting last week, where we sat around and brain-stormed on each rider's role in the Squadra Azzurra. We have presented all 9 members and our thoughts on what will be their responsibilities. The team is mostly designed to help Petacchi win in a sprint, but there are a couple riders that will try to get into possible escapes. After many caffè's we concluded that the team is composed of an 80% sprint effort, and 20% offensive attackers. ... Read the entire 2005 Squadra Azzurra Profile

24 September News ...