BiciRace.com :: News :: January 2006

The Stress Machine, Reassurance from De Rosa

Vino Fa Buon Sangue, Gasparotto Interview

BiciRace.com

Joseba Beloki Interview, the Inside Scoop

Tom Danielson Interview, before the 2005 Giro

Brett Lancaster Interview: In Pink After Prologue

Vuelta, Giro, Tour: David Zabriskie Interview

Flecha: Winter Does Not Include Hamburgers

The Sean Kelly Story - An Irish Cycling Legend

DVD Review: The Sean Kelly Story

DVD Review: The Sean Kelly Story

BiciRace.com Reviews The Neuvation R 28 SL

R 28 SL Wheelset - A Road Review

News :: January 2006

20 January 2006

21 January News ...

Boonen Builds Il Treno Quick-Step

The Quick-Step boys will finish their training camp in Calpe (Spain) tomorrow. Over the last few days the Belgian squadra have been working on leading out the World Champion, Tom Boonen. Over the winter the squadra brought in some new signings to help the 25 year-old win even more races. "My train has been seriously reinforced. Now I am able to have eight men for me: Trenti, Tosatto, De Jongh, Hulsmans, Cretskens ...," said Boonen. "And I want to thank Zanini, who left the team, the experience he transferred to me last year was fundamental."

The Belgian will need all of the experience he can get if he is to win Milano-Sanremo. "To win Sanremo with the rainbow jersey would be a dream, but this race is not easy, it is difficult to be 100%," said Boonen. In 2005 Boonen came close when he finished 8th behind Alessandro Petacchi on the Via Roma. "At Paris-Nice I will understand if I will be able to race Sanremo to win or to help Bettini."

Boonen's schedule leading up to La Classicissima (18 March): Tour of Qatar (27, 29 January - 3 February), Ruta del Sol (12 - 16 February), Omloop Het Volk (25 February), Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne (26 February) and Paris-Nice (5 - 12 March).

Read:
Quick-Step Practice Boonen Train, 16 January
Quick-Step Train in Spain, 6 January
Boonen, With a Little Help from His Quick-Step Friends, 29 December
Quick-Step Train in Bari, 10 December

Pinotti Starts World Cup

Training in Valencia, photo: FCI

Today in Los Angeles starts the third round of the track World Cup (20 - 22 January). BiciRace.com's Inside Scoop contributor, Marco Pinotti, will be racing the Individual Pursuit for the Squadra Azzurra and building to the start of his 2006 road campaign.

"At the hotel many other nations are arriving and the race atmosphere is building," said Pinotti to BiciRace.com. "... I will make my debut in the Track World Cup and I look forward to it." For a full account of Marco's training check out his Inside Scoop: WC Debut in 48 Hours.

"In bocca al lupo" to the entire Squadra Azzurra in LA.

Read:
Marco Pinotti ... WC Debut in 48 Hours, 19 January
Pinotti to Los Angeles, 14 January
Marco Pinotti ... Valencia to Los Angeles, 13 January
Marco Pinotti ... Christmas and Track Racing, 5 January
Azzurra to Valencia with Pinotti, 4 January

Davis Beats Kirsipuu

Davis Victorious, photo: Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under

Allan Davis (Liberty Seguros-Würth) finally won a stage in the Tour Down Under after eight years of trying. The Aussie was one of only two riders to have raced in all eight editions of the Tour Down Under and not one a stage, the other is Estonian hard-man Jaan Kirsipuu (Crédit Agricole).

"I can't describe how hungry I was for a win this year," said Davis. "It's better late than never and I'd just like to thank my teammates, not only this year, but over all the years, we've tried 110 percent and I'm just rapt to get a win today ... It was sensational feeling, I've had a few wins overseas but this is my first one in Australia for a long time."

The Aussie jumped into the early break at 25K from the stage start. Over the hot rolling course Davis worked with his 10 companions, until at 14K to go the stakes were raised. "We were the only team with two men in the break and you have to make the most of that advantage," said Davis who benefited from the support of Eladio Sánchez throughout the day. "I knew I had strong legs today so I went across to the lead group by myself early in the race and thought, 'I'm going to have a go - if I'm going down, I'm going down boxing."

Read:
Allan Davis Interview, 2 May

Tour Down Under, 17 - 22 January
Main, Startlist, Overall Map, Photos

Ale-Jet Scores Torre d'Argento

Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) has been awarded a silver tower, err ... well, the Torre d'Argento. Yesterday in Marina di Bibbona (Toscana) Ale-Jet was honored with the award for his 2005 achievements. "This award is a good omen," said Petacchi on receiving the torre.

The tower of silver ceremony coincided with the presentation of the GP Costa degli Etruschi. The race, which Ale-Jet won in 2005, will be held 4 February in Donoratico. Petacchi is participating in a training camp with his Milram squadra in Castagneto Carducci (Toscana) through 22 January and will use the GP Costa degli Etruschi as his season debut.

19 January News ...