BiciRace.com :: News :: December 2005

News :: December 2005

26 December 2005

UCI Announces 2006 ProTour Teams, 26 December ...
27 December News ...

Mario Cipollini Suffers in Ski Crash

Cipo In 2005, photo: Liquigas

Retired Sprint King, Mario Cipollini, suffered a serious crash while out skiing on the day before Christmas. The former World Champion was enjoying the holiday on the slopes of Abetone (Toscana) when he collided with a tree after trying to avoid a group of children that had suddenly appeared.

Cipollini's left kneecap was shattered into pieces upon impact with the tree. The Italian was immediately airlifted from Abetone and taken to the hospital in Lucca. At the hospital Dr. Enrico Castellacci, renowned Italian sports doctor, performed a delicate procedure to reconstruct the kneecap. The procedure lasted three hours and it is possible that Cipollini could need another intervention. BiciRace.com sends our best wishes for recovery to the Re Leone.

Read:
Argentin Out-Skies Cycling's Past Stars, 9 December
Super Mario Speeds, 24 August
The Body of Cipollini up for Auction, 13 May
Cipo Explains, 30 April
Mario Cipollini Retires, The End of an Era, 29 April

Cancellara on Team CSC Goals

Concentrating on 2006, photo: Deutschland Tour

Fabian Cancellara (24) made the switch this winter from the Italian Fassa Bortolo to the Danish Team CSC. The off-season has provided time for the Swiss rider to get aquatinted with his new squadra at the Bjarne Riis, CSC Team Manager, survival camp. "I was very happy about that trip ... I'm a real fan of exercises like these, cause I know how important it is to respect each other and work together," said Cancellara in a CSC interview.

For the new season the young Swiss will aim for the Classics and help the team leaders. "My first big goal will be the spring Classics and then the Tour de France," said Cancellara. "I hope to do well in the prologue, but also work hard so Team CSC and Ivan Basso can achieve a top result in the overall standings. In the last part of the season, I consider the time trial World Championship to be one of my main objectives."

In his career Cancellara thinks a win the Paris-Roubaix or Tour of Flanders is great possibility, but he also eyes the Tour de France. "... If I'm allowed to dream a little, I would have to mention the Tour de France. Standing at the top of the podium in Paris would be a dream come through, even though the big classics suit me best."

Read:
Riis Impressed with Sixth CSC Camp, 21 December
Fabian Cancellara to Team CSC, 24 July

Sanremo and Green for Boonen

"For me it is only Sanremo and Green for 2006," said Tom Boonen (25) to the Belgian press. The tall Quick-Step rider was the man of 2005, winning three huge monuments: the Tour de Flanders, Paris-Roubaix and the World Championships. However, for 2006 he sees his focus to the La Classicissima and capturing the Maillot Vert (green jersey) in the Tour de France.

"I have never won Milano-Sanremo," said the reigning World Champion. If Boonen rides as captain in Milano-Sanremo then perhaps he will ride as a helper for his Italian teammate, Paolo Bettini, in the Tour of Flanders. "Ah, no, that will not be. The Ronde [Ronde Van Vlaanderen] is mine, but if he is riding 10% better than me then I will ride for him."

Boonen is currently relocating to a new home in Monte Carlo (Monaco) to escape some of the Belgian press requests. "I would much rather remain here in Belgium, but I am now in a situation where it is better for me to go abroad. ... There are better training possibilities and I can be more at ease. And it has its financial advantages, even though I am not going for this reason." Look for Boonen to make his season debut in the 2006 Tour of Qatar at the end of January.

Read:
Boonen Kicks Off with Qatar, 21 December
Sprint d'Or from RTBF to Boonen, 20 December
Belgium's Sportsman of the Year: Tom Boonen, 19 December
First Race Win for New World Champion, 7 November

Tenax-Salmilano Thanks to Molteni

The second sponsor of Tenax has arrived thanks to the former grand cycling sponsor, Molteni. The Irish registered team will take on Salmilano as the second sponsor, and become Tenax-Salmilano. Salmilano is a Milano based firm that has produces high quality pork and salami for the food industry.

Salmilano is part of the Molteni family, and the same Molteni salami company that sponsored a cycling team in the 1960's and 1970's. Cycling legend, Eddy Merckx, racked up 246 victories riding in the orange/brown colors of Molteni. For Tenax Team Manager, Fabio Bordonali, it was a coup to sign such a great historic cycling sponsor for 2006.

Read:
Baldato to Tenax for 16th Season, 22 December
Molteni Passes Away, 17 August

24 December News ...