BiciRace.com :: News :: December 2005

News :: December 2005

9 December 2005

Giosuè Bonomi to Barloworld

Bonomi in Lampre Colors, photo: Capture-The -Peloton.com

Giosuè Bonomi will continue his relationship with Claudio Corti and he will race for Barloworld in 2006. Yesterday the 27 year-old from Bergamo signed a one-year contract with the Team Manager of Barloworld, Corti. Bonomi turned pro in 2001 and rode the last season under the guidance of Corti at Lampre-Caffita.

"Thanks to Claudio Corti, he kept his faith in me from Lampre and now to Barloworld," said Bonomi. "With the new squadra I am secure that I can find the right conditions to allow me to use my experience and technical knowledge." Congratulations to the Bergamasco. Bonomi has yet to win in his five years as a professional, but is always a strong engine to have in the team. Here is a list of his former teams: Team Colpack (2001-2002), Saeco (2003-2004) and Lampre-Caffita (2005).

Read:
Volpi Helps Corti with Barloworld, 6 December
Corti and Christensen to Barloworld-Valsir, 3 December
Claudio Corti to Head Barloworld-Valsir, 22 November
Lampre-Caffita Break-up The Band, 10 August

Marco Pinotti Donates Italian TT Jersey to Ghisallo

Pinotti Italian TT Champion, photo: SettimanaTricolore

Yesterday Marco Pinotti, Italian Time Trial Champion, donated his jersey to the Santuario della Madonna del Ghisallo. Pinotti, along with Guido Trentin, Mauro Santambrogio and Morris Possoni, gathered on the famed and snowy mountain slopes to celebrate the 10th Champion's Day, a fun ride that coincides with Italy's national holiday, "Immacolata Concezione".

Pinotti won the prized tricolore jersey back in June, beating Dario Cioni (Liquigas-Bianchi) and Marzio Bruseghin (Fassa Bortolo). The jersey will now hang on the walls of the Sanctuary along with many other sacred jerseys and memorabilia. If you are ever in the Bellagio area, then the Santuario della Madonna del Ghisallo is well worth a visit thanks to its views of Lake Como and plethora of cycling treasures.

Read: Marco Pinotti: The Italian TT Champion, 22 June

Argentin Out-Skies Cycling's Past Stars

Cipollini and Argentin on Passo, photo: Dolomiti Stars

The Italian, Moreno Argentin has confirmed that he is still a champion, but this time it was on skies instead of a bicycle. For the second year in a row the former World Champion (1986) won the Dolomiti Cycling-Ski Challenge. The ski event was a way for ex-cycling stars to come together and have some fun in the snow.

On the slopes of the Passo San Pellegrino Argentin, former winner of many of cycling's classics, showed that he is also just as tough on the downhill ski runs. The Dane, Rolf Sorensen, finished second, followed by Francesco Moser in third. Other big names on the mountain pass were: Mario Cipollini, Silvio Martinello, Gianni Motta and Mario Scirea.

Oscar TuttoBici to Di Luca

This evening in Bergamo Danilo Di Luca will be awarded with the Oscar TuttoBici. This is an annual award ceremony held by one of Italy's leading bicycling magazines to honor their countries top cyclists. In attendance to acknowledge The Killer will be Alessandro Petacchi, Paolo Valoti, Giorgi Squinzi, Giovanni Visconti, Paolo Savoldelli, Giuseppe Guerini, Marco Pinotti and Vera Carrara.

Di Luca had a stellar 2005 season, winning the ProTour title, the Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco, the Amstel Gold Race and La Flèche Wallonne, plus two Giro d'Italia stages and the Maglia Rosa. Last month The Killer was the star at Il Giglio d'Oro Premiazione Nazionale di Ciclismo, a ceremony where he awarded the Giglio d'Oro.

Read:
Fine Tuning of the TT Machine for Di Luca, 2 December
Di Luca and Bettini Awarded, 29 November
Liquigas Gathers in Terme, 25 November
Liquigas Winter Training, 17 November
Mexico and Training for Danilo Di Luca, 3 November
Danilo Di Luca Interview, 5 July

Damien Nazon Retires at 31

Damien Nazon has decided to retire from professional cycling at the age of 31. The French fast-man has 33 victories to his name, including stages in the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré and Critérium International. Proving his guns still have the fire power he won stage 3 of this year's Circuit de la Sarthe.

The Frenchman made his professional debut with Banesto (1996), before moving over to the French squadra of Française Des Jeux for three years (1997-1999). After FDJ, Nazon made his way to Bonjour (2000-2002), and stayed with the squadra under the new sponsor Brioches La Boulangère (2003). The last two season Damien Nazon raced in the famous green colors of Crédit Agricole (2004-2005).

The sprinter's future plans include working as a trainer and Director Sportif for an amateur team. Damien's younger brother, Jean-Patrick Nazon (28), continues to race with Ag2R Prévoyance. BiciRace.com wishes Damien Nazon the best of luck in his post racing career.

6 December News ...