BiciRace.com :: News :: October 2005

News :: October 2005

11 October 2005

Favorites for Giro di Lombardia

Race Profile, photo: Gazzetta dello Sport

The Giro di Lombardia is only four days away and the Italian tifosi are talking about their favorites. Most have a heart for Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Caffita), but the 2004 winner is currently off form. The Piccolo Principe will face some tough competition, mainly his own teammate, Gilberto Simoni. Gibo is flying right now and he is the BiciRace.com pick for Saturday. For proof you can refer to his stunning win in Bologna at the Giro dell'Emilia (8 October).

Of course there is Il Grillo, Paolo Bettini. If he has his Quick-Step squadra keep him in contention over the Madonna del Ghisallo then he should be able to launch an offensive the final two smaller climbs: Civiglio (15.7K) and San Fermo della Battaglia (5.7K to go). Il Grillo rode an amazing race in Zurich (2 October), and has continued his good form since. (See the Lombardia race Profile)

Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) will have to dig deep for inspiration. The Killer has sealed the ProTour classification, after a long season battle. He might just chill out all the way to Como in his all-white ProTour kit. It is likely the Killer will give his all for victory in Lombardia. But will his knee hold? He abandoned last Sunday's Paris-Tours after 200K complaining of knee pain.

Valverde at Tour, photo: Graham Watson, Saunier Duval

The biggest foreign threat is Alejandro Valverde (Illes Balears). The Spaniard finished an impressive second in the World Championships almost three weeks ago. His style is very similar to Cunego, he can climb with the best and he packs a mean sprint. Do not be surprised to see this young gun (25) top the podium in Como.

Other Italians to watch are Mirko Celestino (Domina Vacanze) and Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner). Celestino proved he's on strong form by finishing right behind Simoni in the Giro dell'Emilia. You can never count out Rebellin. He is always in the mix and will be wanting to put down a big win for 2005.

Read:
Teams for Giro di Lombardia, 5 October
100 Years of the Giro di Lombardia, 20 September

99th Giro di Lombardia:
Main Page
Overall Map, Profile
Startlist
Photos
Report and Results

A Slight ProTour Change

For 2006 the ProTour points will change in stage races. A commission met and decided to raise the points to 10 for a stage win in the Tour de France, 8 for a win in the Giro or Vuelta, and 3 for smaller stage races. This year (the first year) the points were too low, they were: 3 for the Tour, Giro and Vuelta, and 1 for smaller races, like the Tour de Suisse. Members of the commission included Charly Mottet, Roger Legeay and Jens Voigt.

Tom Boonen Renews with Quick-Step

The World Champion, Tom Boonen, has extended his contract with Quick-Step for another three years. The Belgian will continue through 2008 with the team of Patrick Lefevere. Currently the newly crowned World Champion is enjoying the off season while recovering from a recent intestine operation.

Read: Tutto OK for World Champion Boonen, 30 September

To 2008 for Robbie McEwen

Robbie McEwen has renewed his contract with Davitamon-Lotto through 2008. Maybe his renewal was spurred on by the news of Boonen's renewal ... The two are fierce competitors on rival Belgian teams! All kidding aside, the Aussie sprinter is a winning machine, providing many victories in the last five years with the Belgian squadra. Along with McEwen, the contract of fellow Aussie, Nick Gates, was renewed for two more years. The team is in search for currently searching for more sprint back-up.

Beloki and Saiz Continue

Beloki at Vuelta, photo: BiciRace.com

Joseba Beloki has renewed his contract for one year with Liberty Seguros-Würth. It will be the second season back on the team of Manolo Saiz, after a stint in 2004 with Brioches la Boulangère and Saunier Duval-Prodir. The Spaniard (32) is still searching for that form that he had before he was involved in that serious crash during the 2003 Tour de France. Before 2003, in 2000 and 2002, Beloki had been a podium finisher in the Tour.

Read the BiciRace.com interview with Joseba Beloki, From Tour de France Podium and Back, 25 April

10 October News ...