BiciRace.com :: News :: October 2005

News :: October 2005

9 October 2005

Simoni Tops Giro dell'Emilia

Simoni Wins Emilia, photo: Giro dell Emilia

Yesterday Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Caffita) showed what a champion he is by winning the 88th Giro dell'Emilia. Sure this season he did not win his third Giro d'Italia, but he finished second. And who can forget his victory on the famed Mont-Faron in Paris-Nice? Add in his win at Giro dell'Appennino and you can see why this season has been successful.

It was a stunning victory in hard conditions: Rain, Cold and the climb of Santuario di San Luca. "Still my best win this year remains my win on Mont-Faron," said Gibo. "I hope that with this win Ferretti is convinced he made the right decision. I am 34 but I still feel like a young racer. I still feel strong and full of enthusiasm." Next year Gibo will be the captain of Giancarlo Ferretti's new squadra (sponsor should be SonyEricsson).

More Photos:
Podium: Schleck Simoni Celestino, photo: Giro dell Emilia
Cunego Climbs, photo: Lampre-Caffita
Read:
Simoni Will Race With Ferretti, 21 September

Martinelli takes Cunego and Simoni to Lombardia

Cunego Climbs in Emilia, photo: Lampre-Caffita

Next Saturday in the Giro di Lombardia will be the last Simoni and Cunego show. Lampre-Caffita Team DS, Beppe Martinelli will take the two strong-men to Lombardia, which should be their last race together before parting ways in 2006. Yesterday Gilberto Simoni demonstrated that he is on flying form by winning the Giro dell'Emilia, and will lead the squadra in Lombardia. "... all of the squad will be for him ... I know that Gilberto would do well. I asked him if he wanted to race Sabatini [6 October], but he said no because he wanted to give his all for Emilia and Lombardia," said Martinelli.

Cunego passed the test of Emilia, but did not make a strong impression. "He raced without problems but did not really impress. Although he will go and race Lombardia because he is a champion. If he is not at his maximum then he will be a team player," said Martinelli. If the Piccolo Principe does find himself on form then there could be a little tension between him and Gibo. Stay tuned to BiciRace.com

Read:
Lampre and SonyEricsson Team Movements, 8 October
88th Giro dell'Emilia To Reveal,8 October

Last Race for Zabel with T-Mobile

Today Erik Zabel will race for the last time in the pink T-Mobile colors. Zabel (35) aims to end his time at T-Mobile on a high note by winning the Paris-Tours for the third time (he won in 1994 and 2003). The German has raced 13 years for his countries biggest team, and next year will move over to Milram, the former Domina Vacanze squadra.

"It is not easy to leave T-Mobile," said Zabel from France. "I did not think that after 13 years I would be switching to another team. Yes, the exclusion from this year's Tour team was not easy for me to digest, but I leave the team with a lot of great memories."

The German speedster has signed for three years with Milram. He will be on the squadra with his former rival, Alessandro Petacchi. "I will be able to use my experience to help out the new team." Darn right, Zabel has loads of experience, his major accomplishments include: winner of the green points jersey 7X and 12 stages in the Tour de France, winner of the Milano-Sanremo 4X, Paris-Tours in 1994 and 2003, HEW-Cyclassics in 2001 and Amstel Gold Race in 2000. Mamma mia, che palmarès!

Read:
Transfer Mania, 4 October
Zabel and Domina Vacanze-Nordmilch, 23 August

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Gold BH Machine of Roberto Heras on eBay

Gold BH Machine for eBay, photo: Liberty Seguros-Würth

Want to help raise money for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and buy a new bicycle? You can do both by going to www.eBay.es and biding on the BH machine that Roberto Heras rode in the final stage of the 2005 Vuelta a España. Team Liberty Seguros-Würth is auctioning off the customized bicycle that Heras used to win his fourth Vuelta, a cool prototype with lots of gold parts.

Better hurry and place your bid, the auction ends on 17 October. The bidding is already high thanks to two bids by Heras and Saiz. Heras put in the first bid of €10,000, and team DS, Saiz, outbid Heras with €18,000

8 October News ...