BiciRace.com :: News :: February 2006

News :: February 2006

2 February 2006

Treno Blu Takes Tom 4 for 4

Zabel Complements Boonen, photo: Quick-Step

The Quick-Step squadra of Tom Boonen (25) is terrorizing Qatar with their speed and victories. The World Champion has now gone four for four in the 2006 thanks to il Treno Blu. "This is the Dream Team. To win after the work that they do is easier," said Boonen after winning yesterday's stage 3 in the Tour of Qatar.

Il Treno Blu consists of Servais Knaven, Wilfried Cretskens, Kevin Hulsmans, Kevin Van Impe, Matteo Tosatto, Guido Trenti, Steven De Jongh and the white-clad Boonen. Staring around 5K to the line Knaven, Cretskens and Hulsmans crank an infernal rhythm. The pace, finishing around the 2K banner, quickly shells the second tier sprinters. Van Impe then forms and lines up the Quick-Step train. When il treno is in order it is Tosatto who hammers to -1200m and then it is Trenti to up the pace another leg-cracking notch, finishing at -600m.

At this point only the serious sprinters are left to play, like Zabel, Hunter and Grillo in the last few days. This is when Tom's new Dutch mate, De Jongh, turns the pace to warp speed. The explosive 32 year-old, who has spent the last few years with Rabobank, takes his leader to -200m. This newly formed, but effective, synchronization leaves the World Champion perfectly poised to take victory.

"We use the same method that Petacchi likes," explains Tosatto, who rode for the Italian for the last few years. "It is not easy ... In the last 5K all eight of us were still there ... incredible! It is a great squadra to work with because it is also a group of friends."

The scary part is that this is only the beginning of the season and il Treno Blu is still fine-tuning their lead out and form. "My condition here in Qatar is good, but not extraordinary," explained Boonen. "I don't have the condition of Flanders or Roubaix ... I still have some room for improvements."

Read:
Merckx, Leblanc and Cancellara on Boonen, 1 February
Boonen Blasts Off in Qatar, 31 January
World Champion Rocks Middle East, 28 January
Better Condition for Boonen in Qatar, 27 January
Boonen Builds Il Treno Quick-Step, 20 January
Quick-Step Practice Boonen Train, 16 January
Boonen Kicks Off with Qatar, 21 December

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

Liberty Seguros-Würth trains in south of Spain

The 28 riders comprising the Liberty Seguros-Würth team will meet in the resort town of Estepona from 10 to 16 February for some early season form honing. Estepona (Southern Spain) offers the riders the chance to escape the winter doldrums of Madrid and northern Spain for some sun and fun on the Costa del Sol. Well, probably not much fun. Just Manolo Saiz screaming "venga venga venga" repeatedly over the loudspeaker.

Following this the riders will convene in Madrid on 17 February for the official team launch. Manolo Saiz and his boys are keeping a low profile and will not be showing their cards until their debut race: The Vuelta Comunidad Valenciana (21 - 25 February).
- Paco

Read:
Liberty Seguros-Würth Gears Up, 12 January
Vino Down with Spanish Crew, 15 December
Liberty Seguros-Würth in Puente Viesgo, 14 December

Dude, Where is Rujano?

There are some bad vibes between José Rujano and Selle Italia-Serramenti Diquigiovanni. For the past months the Venezuelan climber has had some conflict with Gianni Savio, Team Manager, and might decide not to compete in the upcoming Giro d'Italia.

Differences between the two came about at the end of the 2005 Giro, in which Rujano finished third overall and won the Maglia Verde. The problems are wide spread, partly due to image rights of Rujano, and solutions have not been found. This could lend some reasoning to why the little climber will not start the Tour de Langkawi tomorrow.

The differences will likely go unresolved until 1 June, the date in which Rujano is available to ride for his squadra, Quick-Step. Last year an agreement was made for the Venezuelan to pass to the Belgian ProTour team in mid-season. Patrick Lefevere, Team Manager, has his new recruit scheduled for the Dauphiné Libéré, but with the major objectives being the Tour de France and Vuelta a España.

Read:
Rujano Sportsman of the Year, 5 December
Rujano Keeps Going in Home Country, 7 October
Rujano to Quick-Step in mid-2006, 17 August
Maglia Verde Too Busy For Planting Coffee, 13 May

Igor Astarloa Starts with Sore Thumb

The 2006 season is not starting well for the 2003 World Champion. Spaniard, Igor Astarloa (Barloworld), has a dislocated a tendon in his right thumb. The former World Champion says that there is not much pain and he will skip any operation to have the problem repaired. Without any delay to the start of his season he will line up for the Trofeo Laigueglia on 14 February.

Read:
Barloworld Train in Montecatini, 25 January

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