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5 December 2005

6 December News ...

Corsa Rosa for Italian Stallion (Basso)

The Giro d'Italia is one race that cannot be missed and Ivan Basso agrees: "In 2006 I will return to win." Yesterday in Denmark, site of the Team CSC survival camp, the Italian announced his decision to repeat his attempt of the Giro-Tour double. In 2006 Ivan Basso will contest both the 89th Giro d'Italia and the 93rd Tour de France.

Basso (28), winner of two stages in the 2005 Giro, had to give his decision serious consideration. Team CSC's interests remain with the Tour because of the international interest and marketing capabilities of the race. "The thought to race the Giro goes back to September. After a training ride I called Riis and my friend, Giovanni Lombardi, to state my desires to race the Giro," said Basso. "We kept thinking about it for a long time, I did not know if Riis would agree with my idea, but I hoped. Now he agrees with my certainty and we can go forward with calmness."

"This Giro I feel in my skin," continued the rider from Varese. "Of course the Tour is important for cycling, but the Giro is the race that is most important for the Italians. I want to go to the Giro with a strong squadra like we usually have at the Tour. ... This Giro has a great design, with the prologue, the team TT and five mountain top finishes. It will really be a great spectacle and gift for the Italian tifosi."

So sure in his decision to race the Giro that last month (November) Basso went to recon the key stages. The Italian secretly covered Colle San Carlo (stage 13), the Passo di San Pellegrino (stage 19), the Passo Gavia and Passo del Mortirolo (stage 20), and the gravel climb, Plan De Corones (stage 17). "It [Plan De Corones] will be quite an incredible climb, and I just hope for good weather. [Gilberto] Simoni will be the one to watch on this climb," finished Basso. (See details of climbs here.)

Like last year, the Italian will make his season debut at the Milano-Torino (4 March). Following the finish in northwestern Italy it will be on to the south for the start of the Tirreno-Adriatico (8 - 14 March), then the Critérium International (25 - 26 March), Circuit de la Sarthe (4 - 7 April), La Flèche Wallonne (19 April) and Liège-Bastogne-Liège (23 April). The finish in Liège will leave Basso with only two weeks before the start of the Giro d'Italia in Seraing (6 May).

For the next two days (5 - 6 December) Basso only has to worry about survival in the Danish wilderness. The entire CSC crew will be dropped off in the wilderness and left to fend for themselves for 48 hours. Following the mini-Apocalypse Now outing, there will be lots of partying and relaxing before the first cycling camp in Toscana.

Read:
Basso is Atleta Europeo dell'Anno, 29 November
November: A Month of Swimming for Basso, 24 November
Camps: Simoni, Basso and Savoldelli, 17 November
2006 Giro d'Italia Route Unfolded, 12 November
Ivan Basso Interview: King of Denmark on Tour and 2006, 21 October

Riis Supports Basso for Giro

Bjarne Riis, 1996 Tour de France winner and Team Manager of CSC, is in total agreement with Ivan Basso to race the 2006 Giro d'Italia. Over the past few months it has been the case of Riis pulling his team's star to only race the Tour de France, the race that has the most importance for the team's sponsor. The Dane's concern was that Basso would not have enough time to recon the Tour stages, and possibly spend too much energy fighting for the Maglia Rosa.

"The decision belonged to Ivan, when he decided my duty was to give all the support possible," said Riis from the team camp in Denmark. "Basso demonstrated this year that it is possible for him to race and win both the Giro and Tour. ... The Giro I like a lot. To start with there is the team TT, which is missing from the Tour, and for our team it is very important. Also, the final semi-stage that finishes on Ghisallo, which is widely criticized, but I think it is interesting."

The Z-Man Thrilled with Basso Decision

Angelo Zomegnan, director of cycling at RCS Sport and head of the Giro d'Italia, is thrilled with Ivan Basso's decision to race in his event. "The decision of Team CSC and Ivan Basso to race the 2006 Giro d'Italia gives me great satisfaction. It will contribute to the luster of the Corsa Rosa and help elevate the race to the best ever event of la Gazzetta dello Sport," said the Z-Man.

"The faithfulness of Ivan Basso in the Giro d'Italia represents a sensibility that is found in the passionate Italians," continued Zomegnan. "The field will be rich with prestigious contenders, Italian and foreign, for the Maglia Rosa of the next Giro d'Italia. We will be waiting for all of them at the start in Liège."

Read:
Zomegnan Designs Spectacular Giro d'Italia, 14 November
2006 Giro d'Italia Route Unfolded, 12 November

Rujano Sportsman of the Year

The Venezuelan journalists have elected José Rujano (23) as their countries Sportsman of the Year. The rider for Selle Italia-Colombia set the Italian roads on fire in this year's Giro d'Italia. Rujano stampeded his authority on the Corsa Rosa, winning one stage, the green climber's jersey, and nearly taking the overall race win.

The journalists stated their reasons for awarding their little climber: "For the amazing European campaign, guided by Gianni Savio, that awakened the passion of the nation for cycling, for being on the podium of the Giro d'Italia in the company of Paolo Savoldelli and Gilberto Simoni, for having animated the mountain stages and conquering the maglia verde."

Next season Rujano will spend half with Savio's Selle Italia-Colombia and half with Patrick Lefevere's Quick-Step. A deal was struck this last August whereby the Venezuelan will race for the Belgian squad starting on 1 June 2006. This agreement allows Savio to utilize Rujano for a wild-card entry at the Giro, and for Lefevere to bring a climbing ace to the Tour de France.

Read:
Rujano Keeps Going in Home Country, 7 October
Rujano to Quick-Step in mid-2006, 17 August
Maglia Verde Too Busy For Planting Coffee, 13 May

3 December News ...