BiciRace.com :: News :: November 2005

News :: November 2005

19 November 2005

Belgians Honor Giro with Simoni Stamp

Belgian Giro Stamp, photo: RCS Sport

Yesterday there was a new stamp presented at the post office in Malines (Belgium). The postal officials unveiled the first stamp dedicated to the 2006 Giro d'Italia (6 - 28 May), that departs from Belgium. The design of the stamp has Gilberto Simoni in the Maglia Rosa after winning the 2001 Giro. The stamps go on sale 24 April for €0.50 each. There will be 220,000 distributed throughout the world.

Read:
2006 Giro d'Italia Route Unfolded, 12 November
Giro Jitters: Italians in Wallonne, 8 November
The 89th Giro d'Italia Takes Shape, 30 September
2006 Giro d'Italia to Start in Belgium, 20 July

Simoni Scouts Plan de Corones

Two days ago we reported that Gilberto Simoni would probably not touch his bike until the first of the year. The 2X Giro d'Italia winner has still not touched his road bike but he did go out on his mountain bike today. The purpose was to scout the new, and unknown, 2006 Giro stage finish: Plan de Corones. (Stage 17 Profile and Plan De Corones climb)

The Plan de Corones climb is the only climb in the 2006 Giro that Gibo does not know. The Plan de Corones should provide plenty of excitement, the final 5K of the road is gravel/dirt. Also there is a section of 24% gradient in the final kilometers! It is not known whether or not Gibo had to attach his skies for the mountain test, where snow was likely.

Buy The Killer's Weapon

All White Bianchi, photo: BiciRace.com

Starting 1 December you will be able to buy an exact replica of Danilo Di Luca's White FG Lite Bianchi. There will be 28 of the white bikes for sale on Bianchi's website, costing €8,500 each. That is one bike for each number of ProTour races in the 2005 competition, the same ProTour competition that The Killer won.

Bianchi will customize the bike by printing the name of the buyer on the frame. As if this was not enough to impress your friends on the local rides, Bianchi will include a 2005 team jersey signed by The Killer.

Read:
Liquigas-Bianchi: Tour de France Plans and a New Yellow Bianchi, 29 June
Di Luca's Steed, All White Bianchi, 3 June

18 November News ...