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17 December 2005

Saunier Duval-Prodir Signs David Millar, 15 December ...
19 December News ...

Santini Brings World Together for 40th Birthday

Last night in Almenno San Bartolomeo (Lombardia) Pietro Santini celebrated the 40th anniversary of his clothing company: Santini. The 63 year-old called upon all of his family, 120 workers, teams and race organizers to join in a huge celebration.

Santini manufactures many of professional cycling's kits, including Saunier Duval-Prodir, Liquigas-Bianchi, Domina Vacanze, Acqua & Sapone, the Spanish and Australian national teams. They also supply some of cycling's famed jersey's, such as the World Champion jersey and the Maglia Rosa for the Giro d'Italia.

The first time for the Santini to supply clothing to a team was 1968, the first time for a professional team was 1970 for the famed black and white French Peugeot squadra. In Peugeot's ranks was Bernard Thévenet, who won the 1975 and 1977 Tour de France, the first of many accomplishments for Pietro Santini.

After Peugeot there was La Vie Claire of Hinault and LeMond, Bianchi of Conti and Prim, Del Tongo of Saronni, Sammontana of Argentin, Gatorade with Bugno and Fignon, Mercatone Uno with il Pirata and Garzelli, and the super Mapei squadra with Bettini. Santini is especially proud of his Giro-Tour double win with Marco Pantani, and also tips his hat to sprinting legend, Mario Cipollini, for being so meticulous in making sure every stitch was perfect.

The festa was attended by many of today's and yesterday's greats: Felice Gimondi, Gianni Motta, Beppe Saronni, Alessandro Petacchi and Paolo Savoldelli. But also in attendance was Angelo Zomegnan, organizer of the Giro d'Italia, and Pat McQuaid, UCI President. Hopefully the two used the festive atmosphere to work out their ProTour differences. Yes, Santini even supplies the controversial ProTour jersey.

Tanti Auguri a Santini dalla BiciRace.com Squadra!

Andrea Tonti Confirms with Acqua & Sapone

Andrea Tonti (29) has confirmed that he will ride for Acqua & Sapone for 2006. For some time Tonti was linked with Giancarlo Ferretti's ill-fated SonyEricsson, but that deal fell by the roadside like a used water bottle. Ferretti, who is now assisting the Italian soapy water team, made sure Tonti had a spot.

Tonti, pro since 1999, has spent the last three years in the service of Gilberto Simoni and Damiano Cunego. He may be winless but his services are appreciated in races like the Giro d'Italia. Both Tonti and Acqua & Sapone will be searching for a spot in Italy's grand tour for 2006.

Read:
Acqua & Sapone Race with De Rosa, 6 December
Kanstantsin Siutsou to Acqua & Sapone, 14 November
Acqua & Sapone Builds with Fassa Bortolo Help, 3 November
Ondrej Sosenka Breaks Boardman's Hour Record, 20 July

Liquigas Meet in Terracina

The Liquigas crew will meet next week in Terracina (Lazio), from Monday to Friday (19 - 23 December), for the second training camp for the upcoming 2006 season. The green boys will undergo medical checkups by team doctor Roberto Corsetti, who is a chief physician at the Hospital of Latina.

"On the occasion of the meeting, the riders will have checkups to get their medical certificates that are required under the current rules," said Dr Corsetti. "Moreover, they will undergo a test with the cyclo-ergometer, an echocardiogram and have an X-ray of the chest."

Roberto Amadio, and the other team managers, will be constantly monitoring each rider's training through the year. "From the next week till the beginning of February we will check the athletes every three weeks," explained Amadio. "In addition, during the season we are going to carry out evaluation tests during the races ... All of this will allow us to have the whole team constantly gauged."

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

16 December News ...