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23 January 2006

24 January News ...

Gerrans Start to Finish Down Under

Yesterday Simon Gerrans of Ag2R Prévoyance was crowned the 2006 Tour Down Under champion, becoming the first rider in the eight year history of the race to claim the lead on the first stage and hold it until the finish. The Aussie finished the 676K tour with a time of 16:36'54", and more importantly, seven seconds clear of 2005 winner Luis León Sánchez of Liberty Seguros-Würth and 14 seconds on Robbie McEwen of Davitamon-Lotto.

"I'm just absolutely rapt, I can't believe that I've had the lead from the first stage right through to today ... It's just an incredible feeling," said Gerrans after the final stage 5. The 25 year-old is on track for an impressive 2006 season, his palmarès for 2005 included third on stage 17 in his debut Tour de France and overall victory in the Herald Sun Tour.

The final stage panned out well for Gerrans with a small escape group getting away early but containing no one who posed a threat to the overall rankings. But he still took care to avoid any trouble. "I didn't take any risks," said Gerrans. "I just did what I had to do and crossed the line ... My teammates rode a fantastic race, they backed me since the first day and protected me on every stage."

"I've given myself a bit of a surprise this week... if someone had told me I would lead the Tour from start to finish last week I wouldn't have believed it at all," continued the Aussie. "I guess I've shown something to myself as well as everybody else this week and this should do my Commonwealth Games selection chances a lot of good."

Gerrans will leave his home country today en route to Europe for the start the season with a solid race program scheduled for the next six weeks.

Read:
Gerrans Keeps an Eye on Sánchez, 21 January
Gerrans Leads with Strong Ag2R Prévoyance, 19 January

Davis Doubles in Home Tour

Allan Davis (Liberty Seguros-Würth) took his second win of the 2006 Tour Down Under when he out-muscled 11 time Down Under stage winner, Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto), in stage 5. Davis broke an eight year drought to snatch victory on the second stage into Hahndorf on Thursday after being one of only two riders to have raced in all eight Tour Down Unders and not won a stage. Now the 25 year-old Aussie has two under his belt, errr, EtxeOndo kit.

"I got on Robbie's [McEwen] wheel and just went from there," said Davis whose parents were roadside to cheer him on. "He gave me a good run into the finish. ... I've gradually progressed every year and maybe things are starting to pay off."

His Liberty boys were happy with the second stage win, which also put him on top of the sprint classification for the race, but a little disappointed they weren't able to secure a another win for defending Tour champion, Luis León Sánchez.

"I tried everything I could yesterday, as did the team, to help Luis ... we basically laid it on the line for him," said Davis. "But Simon and the Ag2R guys were too good. We have no excuses and we still came away with three stage wins [Carlos Barredo won Stage 3] and second overall."

Read:
Davis Beats Kirsipuu, 20 January
Allan Davis Interview, 2 May

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

Panaria-Navigare for Grillo

Last Thursday was the presentation of the Orange squadra from Italy, Panaria-Navigare. Team, although not ProTour level, can rip the competition to shreds. Take a look at last year's Giro d'Italia prologue and you will see the winner was Brett Lancaster. The Aussie gave the team a huge Grand Tour stage win and also the Maglia Rosa.

"We are not able to take part in the ProTour, which ruins are chances for the Northern Classics and the Tour," said Paride Grillo (23). "But we have the advantage of being a super squadra here in Italy. The big stimulates on my program are Tirreno-Adriatico, Milano-Sanremo and the Giro." The Italian put in a late surge in stage 12 of the Giro last year, almost conquering Alessandro Petacchi, and finished second.

Grillo is man that Bruno Reverberi, Team Manager, tips for big wins in the near future. "Last year as a neo-pro he went strong and he has continued to grow. Something special will soon come about for him," said Reverberi. "Last year he was sick and was not able to race Sanremo. This year he will be ready to fight for the victory on the Via Roma. ... He is very fast, goes well in the climbs, lives the life of a racer ... we believe in him."

Look for the young Italian gun and Panaria to make their season debut 27 January in the Tour of Qatar.

Read:
Panaria-Navigare in Qatar and Langkawi, 2 January

1000 Euro for Last Pantani Jersey

The last jersey used by Marco Pantani in a race was auctioned off to raise money for Olimpiadi del Cuore. The bidding on the Mercatone Uno jersey went up to 1000€, half of which went to the charity. The auction was held over the weekend in San Martino di Castrozza (Trentino) and in attendance was Paolo Pantani, the father of the late Romagnolo cyclist.

Pantani's past teams:
Carrera (1993 - 1996), Mercatone Uno (1997 - 2003)

Read:
Pantani and the Piadina, 10 June

21 January News ...