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29 November 2005

Liquigas Signs Igor Astarloa for 2006, 28 November ...
30 November News ...

Basso is Atleta Europeo dell'Anno

Yesterday evening in Sesto San Giovanni (Milano) was the 32nd Premio Nazionale "La Torretta 2005". Many of the Italian sporting stars were on hand, including Ivan Basso (28). The Team CSC rider was honored for his 2nd place in the Tour of France and his overall successful season.

The award presentation was very similar to Basso's stage win ceremony at the Giro d'Italia Torino TT ... Minus the heat, kit and those Esta Thè girls. This ceremony was held in a darkened ballroom, with stage lights, but of course there were 'podium girls'. Ivan Basso was dressed appropriately to receive the prestigious Torretta for "Atleta Europeo dell'Anno". (European Athlete of the Year).

After saluting the crowd with his trophy in hand, the rider from Varese talked about his 2006 race plans. He said that his season goal will be the Tour de France, but that he will not yet rule out a try for the Giro-Tour double. "Bjarne Riis has already talked about my program for 2006 ... But over this winter I will calmly think about my plans, then talk with Riis, and we will see," said Basso.

Read:
November: A Month of Swimming for Basso, 24 November
Camps: Simoni, Basso and Savoldelli, 17 November
Ivan Basso Interview: King of Denmark on Tour and 2006, 21 October

Di Luca and Bettini Awarded

Danilo Di Luca (29) and Paolo Bettini (31) took time out of their training schedules to attend Il Giglio d'Oro Premiazione Nazionale di Ciclismo. The award ceremony, in Pontenuovo di Calenzano (Firenze), was hosted by Saverio Carmagnini in association with the journalists of Toscano. Carmagnini honored the Liquigas-Bianchi rider with the Giglio d'Oro, which is a recognition of the best cyclist of the year.

Di Luca thanked the crowed that was gathered and then took time to explain his 2006 goals. "The Giro d'Italia and World Championships will be the target for the upcoming season," said The Killer. After the ceremony he quickly returned to his team training camp in Salsomaggiore (Emilia-Romagna).

Also Bettini has his eyes on the 2006 Worlds in Salzburg, and of course the Tour de Flanders. The Belgium race is one of the few classics that are missing from the Quick-Step rider's impressive list of palmarès. Il Grillo was called up to the stage by Carmagnini to be awarded the 2005 Gino Bartali Prize. The recognition is given to the cyclist who has brought prestige to the sport of cycling.

Read:
Liquigas Gathers in Terme, 25 November
Liquigas Winter Training, 17 November
Mexico and Training for Danilo Di Luca, 3 November
2006 Liquigas-Bianchi Squadra, 21 October
Il Campione Italiano: Paolo Bettini, 20 October
A Collection Of Classics For Bettini, 17 October
Danilo Di Luca Interview, 5 July

Ag2R Prévoyance is Granted ProTour License

The French Ag2R Prévoyance will be the 20th, and final, squadra admitted into the ProTour for 2006. Yesterday Team DS, Vincent Lavenu, revealed that he had received confirmation of the license from the UCI. The French squadra has received a four-year ProTour license (2006-2009).

The granting of the ProTour license was really a formality since there were no other teams in serious contention. Ag2R Prévoyance will take the spot that was left vacant by the Silver Team management company of Giancarlo Ferretti. The Iron Sergeant was left with out an option after the pull-out of Fassa Bortolo as a sponsor, and the SonyEricsson debacle.

Ag2R Prévoyance makes the fifth French ProTour squadra, compared to three registered in Italy (Lampre-Fondital, Liquigas and Milram). Their annual budget, starting with the 2006 season, is estimated to be seven million euro. The team currently has 25 riders on their roster for the start of the new year, including new heavy-hitters Francisco Mancebo and Christophe Moreau.

The 2006 Squadra:
Alexandre Usov
Carl Naibo (from Bretagne-Jean Floc'h)
Christophe Moreau (from Crédit Agricole)
Christophe Riblon
Cyril Dessel
David Navas (from Illes Balears)
Erki Pütsep
Francisco Mancebo (from Illes Balears)
Iñigo Chaurreau
Jean-Patrick Nazon
John Gadret (from Jartazi Granville)
José Luis Arrieta (from Illes Balears)
Julien Loubet
Laurent Mangel
Lloyd Mondory
Ludovic Turpin
Mark Scanlon
Mikel Astarloza
Philip Deignan
Samuel Dumoulin
Simon Gerrans
Stéphane Goubert
Sylvain Calzati
Tomas Vaitkus
Yuriy Krivtsov

Read:
What the heck? Ferretti Loses SonyEricsson, 14 October
2006 Ag2R Prévoyance Squadra, 8 October
Mancebo Fortifies Ag2R Prévoyance, 7 August
Moreau to Ag2R Prévoyance, 30 July

28 November News ...