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31 January 2006

1 February News ...

Boonen Blasts Off in Qatar

The World Champion is sticking it to them in Qatar. Last Friday Tom Boonen (Quick-Step) won the Doha International GP in a sprint finish and yesterday, in the opening stag of the 5th Tour of Qatar, the he once again jammed the sprint radars.

The Belgian has opened up the 2006 season like with all the glee of a fine De Koninck brew. "Two for two is fantastic", said Boonen of his season 100% win average. "This proves that the condition is already good, even if the Tour of Qatar does not have a huge reputation. But here you find tough racing that is very hard."

In the mix in both races was Erik Zabel. The German is riding in his new Milram colors and is starting the season just like he left it: consistent. "I have good agility thanks to the Six Days," said Zabel after finishing 2nd. "But the wind is a surprise ... it is a little strong here. But I feel very good with respect to last year."

Finally, be on the look out for the South African, Robert Hunter (Phonak). The 2004 Qatar winner has the scent of blood and he could be in for the kill in the coming stages. Stay tuned!

Tour of Qatar, 30 January - 3 February
Preview and Photos

Garzelli Welcomes the Tour

Stefano Garzelli has his guns pointed at La Grand Boucle in July. For the first time, after nine years as a pro the Liquigas rider will not take part in his home tour. Instead, Garzelli will focus on the Tour de France, leaving the Giro d'Italia team leadership to Danilo Di Luca.

"I want to do a grand Tour," said Garzelli Saturday at the Liquigas presentation. "In this season I will prepare different, not racing the Giro like in the past years, and it will leave me relaxed and ready for France."

"Maybe the course is too tough," said Garzelli of the Corsa Rosa. "But Danilo will be fine, last year he demonstrated that he can go strong in the mountains ... If he can save energy [skipping some classics] he will be a protagonist and even possibly win the race of his dreams."

The BiciRace.com squadra wishes Garzelli the best of luck with his 2006 preparations and Tour.

Read:
Stefano Garzelli to Tour, 28 November
Little Marco Garzelli Is Born, 22 November
A Look at 2005 and 2006 for Stefano Garzelli, 24 October
Garzelli Wins At Home, 17 August
BiciRace.com interview with Garzelli, 13 May

Un Bravo Paolini Targets One-Day Races

The major coup for Liquigas over the winter was the signing of Luca Paolini (29). The Italian has left his compatriot, Paolo Bettini, at the Quick-Step to take on more responsibility with Roberto Amadio's Italian squadra.

"I will aim for all the one-day races," said the Milanese Saturday at the team presentation. "I like Sanremo [18 March] a lot because it is such a special race in Italy. Three years ago I was there with Paolo [Bettini] when he won, but I was also active in the sprint."

"For the first part of the season I will build on my form," continued Paolini. "Another race that excites me is Flanders [2 April] because to arrive at the finish in front you have proved you are 'bravo'. I hope that I will be at the front this year."

Read:
Luca Paolini Makes Liquigas Debut Down Under, 17 January
Paolini Signs for Two Years, 21 August

The Italian Opener: GP Etruschi

Saturday is the 11th GP Costa degli Etruschi in Donoratico, which will open the 2006 season for Italy. The Toscana race will mark the season debut of Alessandro Petacchi fresh in his new Milram colors. He will hope to copy the sprint king, Mario Cipollini, and go for his second win in Donoratico.

Action kicks off at 11.00 in San Vincenzo and finishes some hours later in Donoratico. The parcours is designed for a sprint showdown, with 193 kilometers, most of which are flat. The organizers will take the peloton through the towns of Bibbona, Castagneto Carducci, Cecina, Casale Marittimo, Guardistallo, Montescudaio and San Vincenzo.
... Oh Mamma Mia, only 46 days to Milano-Sanremo (18 March)!

Past Winners:
1996 Fabrizio Guidi - Scrigno
1997 Biagio Conte - Scrigno
1998 Mario Cipollini - Saeco
1999 Endrio Leoni - Liquigas
2000 Mario Cipollini - Saeco
2001 Fabio Sacchi - Saeco
2002 Yuri Mitlushenko - Landbouwkrediet-Colnago
2003 Jaan Kirsipuu - Ag2R Prévoyance
2004 Yuri Mitlushenko - Landbouwkrediet-Colnago
2005 Alessandro Petacchi - Fassa Bortolo

The French Opener: GP Marseillaise

The GP d'Ouverture La Marseillaise today in France opens the European season. Starting the race will be 19 teams, in which there are the Italian teams of Miche and Team LPR. In the mix of ciclisti will be Marco Zanotti, who will start the race with Frank Vandenbroucke in the squadra of Unibet.com.

The race will cover 140K of rolling parcours near Aix-en-Provence (south France). It will be no walk in the park, the tough men usually come out with their axes sharp from a winter of kilometer crunching. Look down the list of past winners and you can see such names as Ludo Dierckxsens and Jakob Piil.

Past Winners:
2004 Baden Cooke (Aus) FDJeux.com
2003 Ludo Dierckxsens (Bel) Landbouwkrediet-Colnago
2002 Xavier Jan (Fra) BigMat-Auber 93
2001 Jakob Piil (Den) Team CSC-Tiscali

Read:
Team CSC Returns for Qatar and GP d'Ouverture, 3 January

30 January News ...