BiciRace.com :: News :: October 2005

News :: October 2005

17 October 2005

A Collection Of Classics For Bettini

Bettini Attacks and Attacks, photo: Quick-Step

Paolo Bettini (Quick-Step) added another classic win to his incredible list. By winning last Saturday's Giro di Lombardia, Bettini (31) is now on level with Erik Zabel for the most number of classic wins (8) for an active rider. Bettini's list of major wins: 2000 Liège-Bastogne-Liège, 2001 Züri Metzgete, 2002 Liège-Bastogne-Liège, 2003 Milano-Sanremo, HEW-Cyclassics, Clásica San Sebastián, 2004 Olympic Champion, 2005 Züri Metzgete, Giro di Lombardia.

"I would still like to win Amstel and Flanders," said Il Grillo. "Flanders could soon become a reality, and also Paris-Tours is not unattainable. The one that is likely to remain only a dream is Paris-Roubaix." This year Bettini wanted to ride the cobbled-race for the first time but was sick.

Today in Belgium Il Grillo meets with the Quick-Step organization to discuss next year's schedule. "For sure the classic that I that I want to win next is Flanders. I raced it two years ago and started to understand what it takes to tackle the 'Murs'." Bettini and the new World Champion, Tom Boonen, will have to work out their schedules so that their goals don't conflict. In addition to winning the Worlds this year, Bettini's teammate also stormed to victory in Flanders.

Read: Bang Bang: Bettini's Heavy Hammer Came Down, 16 October

Grillo and Celestino Out In Crashes

Both Paride Grillo (Panaria-Navigare) and Mirko Celestino (Domina Vacanze) were involved in downhill crashes in the Giro di Lombardia. Grillo took a tumble on the long descent into Lecco. He was taken to the local hospital where doctors determined that he broke his right wrist.

Celestino was in involved in a crash on the tricky decent of Civiglio. The Domina rider was going through a curve when he hit his left knee on a guardrail. This caused a cut, damaged cartilage and a small fracture of his knee. Celestino, who is known for descending well, was taken to the Como hospital before being transferred to the Bergamo hospital. BiciRace.com wishes both of these riders the best of luck in recovery.

Read: Mirko Celestino Motors Lombardia, 12 October

A Strong Third Place For Schleck

In third place in last Saturday's Giro di Lombardia was the young rider from Luxembourg, Fränk Schleck (Team CSC). The 25 year-old scored big by just being on the podium with Simoni and Bettini, two of cycling's greats. The indicators were there before Lombardia, Schleck placed 2nd in Züri Metzgete and 2nd in Giro dell'Emilia.

"At the end I gave all I could to remain with Simoni and Bettini, but the legs were not there like they were on Ghisallo," said Fränk from Como. The CSC man was initially with his teammate, Carlos Sastre, who later was shelled. Then over the final two climbs it was Schleck, in his cool Luxembourg champion's jersey, who battled to keep the two Italians in sight. He flew down the dangerous descent of Civiglio to rejoin before the start of San Fermo. He stayed in close contact on San Fermo, and then held tight all the way to Como.

"I am content with the result and how I finished the season," continued Schleck. Complements to Bettini, this time he was untouchable. I did not have the legs to remain with the strongest and in this race you are not able to bluff."

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Moreni Heads to Cofidis after SonyEricsson Fall-out

Cristian Moreni will race for the French squadra, Cofidis, in 2006. Today he met with Eric Boyer, Cofidis team manager, and signed a one year contract. Moreni was part of the group of riders that had decided to race for the new squadra of Giancarlo Ferretti, but that deal fell through when there was no sponsor.

Moreni (currently with Quick-Step) has been on the pro scene since 1998. He was Italian champion last year (2004) and has won stages in the Vuelta a España (1999) and the Giro di Italia (2000). Moreni also spent five days in the maglia rosa after winning his Giro stage.

Read: What the heck? Ferretti Loses SonyEricsson, 14 October

Peron-Basso Win Cronocoppie

Yesterday Ivan Basso and Andrea Peron (Team CSC) won the Cronocoppie di Borgomanero. It was a two-man TT that was slightly less than an official race. Ivan Basso had already officially stopped his season, but this race was a chance for him to greet his fans.

The two CSC boys put in a 1'32" advantage to the next best pair, Alessandro Petacchi and Marco Velo (Fassa Bortolo). Basso dedicated the win to his partner, Peron. Basso (27) will now take a month of vacation before returning to the bike in mid-November for training.

Selected Results:
1 Ivan Basso - Andrea Peron (Team CSC) 1:01'28"
2 Alessandro Petacchi - Marco Velo (Fassa Bortolo) 1'32"
3 Marzio Bruseghin - Lorenzo Bernucci (Fassa Bortolo) 2'13"
4 G Caruso (Liberty Seguros-Würth) - Cristian Moreni (Quick-Step) 2'46"
9 Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) - A Spezialetti (Lampre-Caffita) 5'02"
17 Damiano Cunego - Samuele Marzoli (Lampre-Caffita) 9'50"

Read:
Cronocoppie di Borgomanero, 16 October
No Need To Continue for Basso, 4 October

16 October News ...