BiciRace.com :: News :: November 2005

News :: November 2005

25 November 2005

Ulle to Race Giro with Eye on Tour

Ulle to Giro, photo: Capture-The -Peloton.com

Recently Jan Ullrich has announced that he will ride the 2006 Giro d'Italia. During the first team gatherings the 1997 Tour de France champion said: "This time I want to start earlier than normal with my preparations for the Tour de France and it makes sense for me to compete in the Giro d'Italia." (Read about the 2006 Giro Route)

In 2001 Ulle competed in the Giro d'Italia for the first time. It was a low-key affair for the German, he finished third on two stages and 52nd in the GC, 1:31' behind overall winner, Gilberto Simoni. "I am not able to think of winning two grand tours in one year, like the Giro and Tour," said Ulle. "My goal is always to return and win another Tour ... But at the Giro, if the form is there, I would like to go for some stages."

Do not take the words of Jan Ullrich lightly, he is one tough rider who has won his share of races. Before passing to the professional ranks, Ulle (31) was amateur world champion (1993 Oslo). Then as a pro with Telekom he won the Tour in 1997, behind him were Richard Virenque and Marco Pantani. Over the years he has arrived second on five occasions, won six stages and taken the Maillot Jaune 18 times. The German (from Rostock) is not a one-dimensional rider, he has also won: the World TT title twice (1999 and 2001), the Vuelta a España (2001) and an Olympic gold medal in the road race (2000).

Ulle as Rambo, photo: T-Mobile

The 2006 season has already started for Ulle, he commenced his training a month ago. Just last week the German squadra, T-Mobile, finished their first camp. It was a survival-type camp out in the snowy wilderness that was molded on the successful camp of Team CSC's Bjarne Riis. Ulle was seen in full John Rambo mode, scaling mountains and crossing crevasses by rope.

After all the mountain fun in the Austrian Alps the team members and their families gathered at a fancy party in Vienna. The adventures will soon be back on two-wheels when Ulle departs with Pollack, Klöden, Kessler, Baumann, Sinkewitz, Ziegler and Giling for Cape Town, South Africa. From 28 November to 22 December the boys will take in the warmth and open roads of South Africa. Then, after the Christmas holidays, the entire T-Mobile squadra (29 members) will meet in Mallorca (Spain) for the first official team training. "By March I want to be ready for my first races," added a motivated Ullrich.

Ulle is Serious, photo: Capture-The -Peloton.com

The subject of diet and Jan Ullrich are always brought up. Critics say that the German does not train enough in the winter and that he becomes too fat. Ulle feels confident in his 2005 winter diet: "Together with my fiancé, Sara, we have come up with a simple diet that avoids taking on extra carbohydrates and proteins. But no one can turn down a plate of spaghetti alla bolognese, a dish that I really enjoy."

Ulle quickly turns back to his dead serious look when talking about the main objective of 2006, the Tour de France. "For me nothing has changed, I am used to the role as a favorite," said the 1997 Tour winner. "But now everyone will be watching Alexander Vinokourov and Ivan Basso, I will not be the one feeling like the hunted."

Read:
Ulle For the France-Deutschland Double, 18 November
Ulle Tuned-In for Giro Presentation, 14 November
2006 Giro d'Italia Route Unfolded, 12 November
2006 Tour de France Route Revealed, 27 October
2006 Giro d'Italia Welcomes Jan Ullrich, 13 October
The Coming and Goings of T-Mobile, 5 October

Liquigas Gathers in Terme

The Italian squadra, Liquigas, will have their first meeting in Salsomaggiore (Emilia-Romagna) on Monday (28 November). The purpose of the gathering is to meet the new members and to take in the natural thermal baths. Italy currently being hit by snow, and the team will be wisely relaxing in some natural hot water.

Over the course of five days (ending 2 December) the boys will take in the 'Terme', receive their 2006 schedules and be sized for new kits. Team Manager, Roberto Amadio, will introduce the new members of the team: Vincenzo Nibali, Francesco Failli, Luca Paolini, Manuel Quinziato, Alessandro Spezialetti, Stefano Zanini, Eros Capecchi, Alberto Curtolo, Mauro Da Dalto and Roman Kreuziger. The new Liquigas boys will join forces with such heavy hitters as Danilo Di Luca and Stefano Garzelli.

Read:
Liquigas Winter Training, 17 November
2006 Liquigas-Bianchi Squadra, 21 October

24 November News ...