BiciRace.com :: News :: November 2005

News :: November 2005

5 November 2005

Valverde and Crew Spend Day with Pinarello

Valverde at Tour, photo: Graham Watson, Saunier Duval

This is the best time of the year for adjusting your set-up on the bike. Last week some of the boys from Illes Balears traveled to the Pinarello factory in Treviso to fine-tune their bike position. Alejandro Valverde, Iván Gutiérrez, Vladimir Karpets and Oscar Pereiro (joins team in 2006) were accompanied by Team DS, Eusebio Unzúe, on a visit to the team's bike supplier.

Pinarello produces the Opera frame that the Spanish squadra uses. The Italian gurus wanted to make sure everything was 'perfetto' for the 2006 sizing. The number one priority was Valverde (25), who is the team's star rider. The Spaniard spent several hours with the 83 year-old company founder, Giovanni "Nane" Pinarello, working on biomechanics.

When they were not taking measurements the two talked about the upcoming season. Valverde's number one goal is the 2006 Tour de France. He said that his toughest rivals will be Ivan Basso and Jan Ullrich, but noted that Liberty Seguros-Würth will mount a fierce challenge with Alexander Vinokourov. Other than this year's Tour, Valverde will target Amstel Gold Race and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, with some emphasis on the Milano-Sanremo.

Valverde will start to think of the 2006 Worlds in Salzburg (24 September) after the Tour de France. The young Spaniard has an excellent track record in the World Championships: second in 2003, sixth in 2004, and second this year in Madrid. Signor Pinarello asked Valverde about competing in the Giro d'Italia. Unzúe and Valverde have tentatively scheduled the Giro for their 2007 schedule.

Read:
Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears Team Update, 31 October
Valverde Scores 2nd after 70 Days at Home, 26 September

Giuliano Figueras Finally with Lampre

Giuliano Figueras (29) has finally signed a contract to continue with Lampre. The rider from Napoli has reached an agreement with Beppe Saronni, Team Manager of Lampre, to continue for two seasons (2006 and 2007). Figueras had a season plagued with bad luck and injuries in 2005.

Figueras was close to riding for the non-ProTour squadra of Acqua & Sapone, but he backed out at the last minute. Staying with Lampre will allow the Napoletano to compete in all the big races. He has talent, remember that nine years ago he won the World U23 Championship in Lugano (1996). Do not discount Figueras yet!

Read:
Lampre-(Caffita or Fondital) Changes, 2 November
Troubles for Bettini and Figueras, 29 August

Paolo Valoti Signs with LPR

Today Paolo Valoti (34) signed a two-year contract with Team LPR (2006-7). For the last two years the Bergamasco has ridden for Domina Vacanze. This fall he scored a couple of wins in the Italian classics: Coppa Agostoni and Coppa Placci. Giancarlo Ferretti had an eye on Valoti for his new SonyEricsson squadra, but he was unable to sign the rider when the sponsor failed to materialize.

Read:
Acqua & Sapone Builds with Fassa Bortolo Help, 3 November
What the heck? Ferretti Loses SonyEricsson, 14 October
Paolo Valoti wins Coppa Agostoni, 18 August
Pieri to LPR for 2005 remainder, 5 August

4 November News ...