BiciRace.com :: News :: September 2005

News :: September 2005

28 September 2005

Honest Words From Petacchi

Petacchi In Madrid, photo: FCI

Alessandro Petacchi has spent the past two days, after the World Championships, relaxing in Madrid with his wife Anna Chiara. The Italian sprinter remained quiet while the Squadra Azzurra storm was brewing back home in Italy. After hearing the comments of Paolo Bettini and Franco Ballerini, Ale-Jet was ready to give his side of last Sunday's Worlds.

Petacchi believes that he raced his race and was honest and informative about his condition. "The thing that offended me the most was when I read and heard the unjust accusations," explained Petacchi (31). "At Zolder, three years ago, I demonstrated that I was an honest man, and also Sunday I informed Bettini as soon as I knew that I was not going well, which was on the climb in the park [Dehesa de la Villa] on the last lap. Up to that point I was in fairly good condition, and able to contest the Worlds. I was not super like at Sanremo, nor was it a miserable day ... this year there have been many times when I have not felt 'normal' but at the end of the race I won just the same."

Paolo Bettini believes that if the Italian sprinter was not feeling well then he should have informed the team earlier than he did (at 10K to go). "Everyone has placed the guilt on me. They go to me as the whipping boy of the nation. The truth is that I was not the only one who was missing," continued Petacchi. The Fassa Bortolo rider seemed to be aiming his words right at the two Quick-Step riders, Paolini and Pozzato. The two riders were showing great form leading up to the Worlds, but were unable to step up when Ale-Jet was on the ropes. "Bettini was in the most important escape, and gave his all to win ... where were the others when he needed them? I am convinced that if there was another [Italian] with Bettini in the escape of 11 then that move would have lasted to the end. Ballerini did not want to take his chances, justifiably so, because Bettini was the only Italian in a group with three Spaniards and two Belgians."

Read:
Lost Worlds for Paolo Bettini, 27 September
Some Explanation from Ballerini, 27 September
Petacchi and Bettini ... What Happened?, 26 September

3X World Champion Reflects on Worlds

Freire Reflects, photo: Capture-The -Peloton.com

Oscar Freire, 3X World Champion, was not able to race last Sunday in the World Championships but he did watch the race closely. "Boonen raced very well and he will win more again in the future ... a true champion. But Sunday the rider that was the strongest of them all was Bettini. He made the race, also the Spaniards."

Freire did not think that the Madrid race was a course for Alessandro Petacchi. The Spaniard continued: "With the difficulties you are left vulnerable. It is one thing to win Sanremo, where the Cipressa and Poggio arrive after an easy 270K, and it is another to win a Worlds like Madrid, which maybe was undervalued. Even so, it was not the Petacchi of Sanremo, that is for sure."

Riders Sign With Giancarlo Ferretti

The new squadra of Giancarlo Ferretti is taking form. After the first big signing of Gilberto Simoni there have been other riders to follow. Along with Simoni, the other big name was the Aussie sprinter, Stuart O'Grady. This last week there have been more riders to sign with the Iron Sergeant: Cristian Moreni, Paolo Valoti, Salvatore Commesso and Matthew White.
Read: Simoni Will Race With Ferretti, 21 September

New National DS for Italy, Belgium and Spain

By mid-October Italy will have a new national DS. Franco Ballerini will be replaced after five years on the job, starting with the 2001 Worlds in Lisbon. The decision of a new national director sportivo is an important decision, in addition to their role as team selector, they are also an ambassador for Italian cycling. Names being batted around are Moreno Argentin, Davide Cassani, Massimo Ghirotto and Giuseppe Saronni.

There are also changes going on in other countries. Jose De Cauwer, national DS for Belgium, will step down only two days after the nation's victory with Tom Boonen. The 56 year-old will start a new job as DS for Davitamon-Lotto. Also, Paco Antequera will be signing off from his position as national DS for Spain.

27 September News ...