BiciRace.com :: News :: January 2006

News :: January 2006

26 January 2006

Lampre-Fondital Ends in Terracina with TTT Win

Cunego Trains in Terracina, photo: Lampre

Tuesday Lampre-Fondital's mini training camp in Terracina (Lazio) ended. During the final day of training, Damiano Cunego and the other pink-blue boys put in a four hour training session. The last portion of their ride covered the holy grounds of the difficult San Felice del Circeo climb.

"We are able to return home happy because we put in a good work base for the season," said Fabrizio Bontempi, Team DS, "We've used to our advantage the good weather that was available in Terracina."

Cunego at Factory, photo: Wilier

Bontempi was happy also for another reason. On Saturday, the boys were divided in two groups (one led by Bontempi, one led by Giuseppe Martinelli) that competed in a team time trial. Bontempi's team took the win but more importantly both teams put to test their newly designed Wilier TT frames. The first real Team TT will be during stage 4 of the Tour Méditerranéen (8 - 12 February).

Read:
TTT Training for Lampre-Fondital, 19 January
Lampre-Fondital in Terracina, 17 January
Last Day in Sicilia for Cunego, 12 January
Time Trial Work for Cunego, 3 December
Terme Time for Lampre-Fondital, 1 December
Damiano Cunego and Lampre Schedules, 2 November

Tour too much for Valverde?

Much has been said about Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears), especially after his stellar win ahead of Armstrong on Courchevel in last year's Tour. But the young rider from Murcia Spain apparently doesn't fancy his chances for a Tour victory, at least not this year. "Fighting this year for the Tour podium will be complicated, perhaps it would be more prudent to shoot for the top five," said Valverde. "I believe I lack experience, since in last year's edition I was only there 13 days of 21."

So if he's not going to win, then who is? Ask Valverde and he'll tell you Ivan Basso. He of course also digs Ullrich, Vinokourov and Paco Mancebo as possible podium contenders.

BiciRace.com would have to agree with that analysis. Valverde is a vastly talented rider, but he lacks the TT firepower of a rider of Ivan Basso or Jan Ullrich's caliber. Granted, he beat the best (umm, sig. Armstrong) in Courchevel last year, but how would he fare for three solid weeks?

To compare him to Lance Armstrong in his early career would not be totally out of line. Both excelled in the hilly one day races as well as the shorter stage races. Both could climb decent and finish quickly. And both were not the best at time trialing. If he could manage to transform himself as a rider as completely as Armstrong did, there would be little standing in his way.
- Paco

Basso on Copenhagen Track

Ivan Basso is proving his all around abilities by signing up for the Six Day of Copenhagen (2 to 7 February). Basso, joined by his Team CSC mate Giovanni Lombardi, will dispute the Omnium. The track event will provide some proper training for the Varesino as well as showcasing the team's colors on home soil.

New Gig for González de Galdeano

Today the 2006 Euskaltel-Euskadi cycling team will be presented to the public in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Aside from the team presentation the EE management will also present recently retired Igor González de Galdeano as its new sporting secretary

González de Galdeano actually hails from the very same town of Vitoria-Gasteiz and enjoys immense popularity there. He began his pro career back in 1995 with Euskaltel, though it went by a different name then. He went on to ride for Vitalicio Seguros, ONCE and Liberty Seguros-Würth.

Let's hope Gonzalez de Galdeano can bring some luster back to the boys in orange.
- Paco

Read:
Igor González de Galdeano Continues with Euskaltel-Euskadi, 4 November
Euskaltel-Euskadi Update with Mayoz, Albizuri and Pérez, 29 October
Igor González de Galdeano Retires, 8 September

Setmana Catalana de Ciclisme and Vuelta a Aragón Canceled

Following on the heels of the Trofeo Luis Puig there are now two more Spanish race cancellations. For financial problems both the Setmana Catalana de Ciclisme (20 - 24 March) and Vuelta a Aragón (12 - 16 April) will be skipped this year. Organizers of the Aragón are indicating that the race might continue but the forecast looks bad.

Read:
No Trofeo Luis Puig, 14 January

Mariano Piccoli Stops after 14 Seasons

Mariano Piccoli (35) has decided to grab the break levers hard after 14 seasons. The Trentino has decided to retire from cycling after a career that has included some stunning wins.

Piccoli turned pro in 1993 with Mercatone Uno and went on to win the Giro d'Italia's Maglia Verde for the team in 1994. The following year he again won the green climber's jersey, also a stage, at the Giro, two stages in the Tour de Pologne and one in Vuelta al Pais Vasco. His other wins include a Vuelta a España stage (1997), Giro stage and Maglia Ciclamino, Deutschland Tour stage (1998), Giro stage, two Vuelta stages (2000).

Piccoli always figured well in Grand Tour stage wins, but never took victory in La Grand Boucle. However, in 1999 when the Trentino passed to Lampre he started, and finished, all three Grand Tours. Not bad. We wish Piccoli the best of luck in his new career adventures.

Past Teams:
Mercatone Uno (1993 - 1994), Brescialat (1995 - 1998), Lampre (1999 - 2004), Acqua & Sapone (2005)

25 January News ...