BiciRace.com :: News :: December 2005

News :: December 2005

11 December 2005

Grand Tour Organizers Press Release, 10 December ...
12 December News ...

Lefevere Blasts Grand Tour Organizers

Patrick Lefevere had some hard words after the news of the split between Grand Tour organizers and the ProTour. "It is only a change in table settings," said Lefevere, who is AIGCP (Associazione Internazionale Gruppi Sportivi Professionistici/International Association of Professional Cycling teams) President and Member of UPTC (UCI ProTour Council). "The money offered by the Grand Tour organizers is just an attempt to soothe us, and we do not have to accept this."

Earlier this year Lefevere threatened to lead a boycott of the Giro d'Italia. The Belgian stood his ground in demanding that Angelo Zomegnan, director of cycling at RCS Sport and head of the Giro d'Italia, pay €60,000 in start money to every team, a sum that is in accordance with the UCI ProTour regulations. At the last minute an accord was reached allowing the teams to start, thus showing Lefevere does not mess about.

It would be hard for the tifosi to imagine that the top cycling teams would boycott all of the Grand Tours, including their associated races. "If Boonen and Basso race in Tour X in the Black Forest then the publicity will follow," said Lefevere. The Belgian indicating that the riders and the teams have the pull, and can stand their ground against the Grand Tours if they want.

Read:
Grand Tour Organizers Say "Ciao" to ProTour, 10 December
Grand Tour Organizers Press Release, 10 December
Giro Organizers Make Hand Gestures towards UPTC, 28 November
ProTour Council Says No to Semi-Stages (and Ghisallo), 16 November
UPTC says End of Year for Grand Tour Organizers, 15 November
2006 Giro d'Italia Route Unfolded, 12 November
2006 Tour de France Route Revealed, 27 October

2007 Vuelta to Depart from Galicia

The 2007 Vuelta a España might depart from the Galicia region of Spain. Galicia, located in the northwest and above Portugal, has a growing interest in the sport of cycling. Negotiations are underway between the region's sporting representatives and the organizers of the Vuelta, Unipublic. If successful, organizers are considering a possible start from the seaside town of Vigo.

Next Wednesday will be the presentation of the 2006 Vuelta a España, which will travel close to the Galicia region. There are two stages planned for 2006's Vuelta which will take the riders through Asturias, Galicia's easterly neighbor. Keep your browser locked into BiciRace.com for the details of the Vuelta route.

Mayo and Astarloa hang with Nys

Sven Nys, the Belgian overlord of cyclocross, has been in Spain preparing for today's round of the World Cup. Over the last few days Nys has been training on Basque roads and trails with local pros. Fellow Rabobank rider, Pedro Horrillo, along with Igor Astarloa and Iban Mayo were on hand to train with the cyclocross World Champion. The winner of last Thursday's Milano World Cup, took the Spaniards on some off-road adventures as they prepare for their 2006 road season.

Read: Mayo's Vuelta È Finito!, 1 September

Milram Meets in Toscana

The new Italian/German squadra, Milram, will meet from 12 to 21 December in Castagneto Carducci (Toscana). This will be the first serious training camp after the earlier gathering in the Bremen (Germany) farmlands. Alessandro Petacchi and Erik Zabel, along with the rest of the squadra, will partake in training, photo sessions and team meetings. Gianluigi Stanga, Team Manager, will hand the boys their 2006 schedules, Colnago bikes and Santini team kits.

Read:
Milram Madness: Bulls, Velo and Ongarato, 2 December
Milram Meet and Greet, 1 December
2006 Milram Team Colors, 23 November

10 December News ...