BiciRace.com :: News :: October 2005

News :: October 2005

5 October 2005

No Fun in Italy for Lance Armstrong

Tex at Tour, photo: CyclingTime.com

Today the court of Latina (near Roma, OK ... Rome!) will have a preliminary hearing to decide on postponing the case against Lance Armstrong. The case is brought on by Italian cyclist Filippo Simeoni, who is accusing Armstrong of slander via the press. The Texas champion had accused Simeoni of being an "absolute liar" after the Italian's testimony in the case against Sports Doctor Michele Ferrari. Judge Nicola Insitti will decide if to proceed with the charges brought on by Simeoni. If the case is postponed then a new date will be set today.

Read: Armstrong in Italy to meet with Judge, 2 April

Quick-Stepin' Cédric Vasseur

Cédric Vasseur has signed a 1-year deal with Quick-Step for 2006. The 35 year-old rider will end his four year stint at the French Squadra, Cofidis. He joined Cofidis after a fallout with Lance Armstrong and the US Postal squadra in 2001. Next year will mark the Frenchman's 13th season on two wheels as a professional, which includes a stage win and five days in the Maillot Jaune. Even though Vasseur only signed a 1-year contract he plans on racing well past 2006.

Teams for Giro di Lombardia

The 99th Giro di Lombardia starts on 15 October in Italy. The race is 246K on the roads in the region of Lombardia. Yesterday the 25 teams that will take to the start line were announced. Here are the teams (first 20 ProTour, final 5 invitation):

Bouygues Telecom, Cofidis, Crédit Agricole, Team CSC, Davitamon-Lotto, Discovery Channel, Domina Vacanze, Euskaltel-Euskadi, Fassa Bortolo, Française Des Jeux, Gerolsteiner, Illes Balears, Lampre-Caffita, Liberty Seguros-Würth, Liquigas-Bianchi, Phonak, Quick-Step, Rabobank, Saunier Duval-Prodir, T-Mobile, Acqua & Sapone, Panaria-Navigare, Naturino-Sapore di Mare, Team LPR, Tenax-Nobili Rubinetterie

Read: 100 Years of the Giro di Lombardia, 20 September

Giro di Lombardia:
Main Page
Overall Map, Profile
Startlist
Photos
Report and Results

The Coming and Goings of T-Mobile

The pink German squadra, T-Mobile, is undergoing massive line-up changes. There are numerous riders leaving for 2006, and just as many replacements coming in. The big names coming in are Michael Rogers and Patrik Sinkewitz (both from Quick-Step). The biggest name leaving the German squadra is Erik Zabel, who will join Alessandro Petacchi at Milram.

Riders coming in the door:
Lorenzo Bernucci
Eddy Mazzoleni
Kim Kirchen
André Greipel
Jorg Ludewig
Patrik Sinkewitz
Thomas Ziegler
Scott Davis
Michael Rogers
Serhiy Honchar

Riders on their way out of the pink colors:
Alexander Vinokourov
Serguei Yakovlev
Francisco Lara
Tomas Konecny
Rolf Aldag
Torsten Hiekmann
Jan Schaffrath
Tobias Steinhauser
Christian Werner
Erik Zabel

Read: Transfer Mania, 4 October

Phonak signs Morabito and Team Update

Merckx Strengthens Phonak, photo: Davitamon-Lotto

Phonak has brought onboard the best Swiss rider from the U23 World Championships in Madrid. Steve Morabito (VC Mendrisio) has signed a two year deal with the ARcycling AG (managing company of Phonak). Morabito finished 8th in Madrid, which was enough to catch the attention of many cycling teams. The talented Swiss refused the other offers and signed for the Swiss-based team. "It's great that in spite of offers from other top teams Steve has decided in favor of us," said John Lelangue, General Manager.

26 Riders under contract for 2006 (as of 4 October):
Aurélien Clerc (SUI)
Martin Elmiger (SUI)
Gregory Rast (SUI)
Johann Tschopp (SUI)
Alexandre Moos (SUI)
Sascha Urweider (SUI)
David Vitoria (SUI)
Steve Zampieri (SUI)
Florian Stalder (SUI, new pro)
Steve Morabito (SUI, new pro)
Axel Merckx (BEL, from Davitamon-Lotto)
Koos Moerenhout (HOL, from Davitamon-Lotto)
Luis Fernández Oliveira (ESP, new pro)
José Enrique Gutierrez (ESP)
Ignacio Gutierrez (ESP)
Miguel Angel Perdiguero (ESP)
Santiago Botero (COL)
Victor Hugo Peña (COL)
Floyd Landis (USA)
Patrick McCarty (USA, from Discovery Channel)
Ryder Hesjedal (CAN, from Discovery Channel)
Bert Grabsch (GER)
Nicolas Jalabert (FRA)
Uros Murn (SLO)
Robert Hunter (RSA)
Fabrizio Guidi (ITA)