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7 February 2006

8 February News ...

Giro Heavy-Hitter Simoni Starts

Gilberto Simoni (34) will be the first of the Giro d'Italia heavy hitters to start the 2006 season. The Italian is scheduled to take part in today's stage 3 of the Vuelta a Mallorca, a 150K stage with three categorized climbs. After Spain, Simoni should fly to the Wild West for the new Tour of California (19 - 26 February) and then some wind tunnel testing. His squadra, Saunier Duval-Prodir, is still working on the visas for the riders, leaving some doubt in their participation (read: Visas for California and Donoratico).

After Gibo will be the turn of Paolo Savoldelli, il Falco will make his debut in the Tour of California with his American squadra, Discovery Channel. Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Fondital) will make his start a week later in the Clasica de Almeria (26 February). Milano-Torino (4 March) will be the 2006 debut for both Ivan Basso (Team CSC) and Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas). Basso will returning from a 12-day block of training in California with Team CSC and The Killer will be returning from a month of altitude training in Mexico.

Read:
Di Luca for Mexico and Giro, 18 January
The Spring Program for Basso, 16 January
Saunier Duval-Prodir to Cali and Wind Tunnel, 5 January
Simoni Starts Season Today, 21 December

Bettini Third in Mallorca

Yesterday the 2nd stage of the Vuelta a Mallorca finished in Cala Bona (Spain). Paolo Bettini came to the line third after first attempting to lead out his teammates. The final meters to Cala Bona presented a slight rise and resulted in Il Grillo finishing third.

"In the final it was me and [Filippo] Pozzato to take the sprint for [Francesco] Chicchi," explained Bettini. "But the last straightaway of 300 meters contained a hard uphill raise that we did not know about. ... I am happy with my condition here in Spain."

Read:
Bettini Wants Trofeo Laigueglia, 6 February

Oscar Freire Stops in Vuelta a Mallorca

Oscar Freire (Rabobank) has started his season with the first stage of the Vuelta a Mallorca. The debut did not go well due to continued pains in his knee. The Spaniard had been feeling some pains in his knee and decided it was better to give it a rest. Freire believes the origin of the problem is the cold and bad weather of the last week.

The Spaniard lost out on the majority of 2005 due to an operation and a delicate recovery period. Last year he was forced to miss the Tour de France and his favorite race, the World Championships. If the knee pain subsides he will start in the final stage of Mallorca on Thursday. BiciRace.com hopes that Freire recovers soon and is back to his winning ways.

Read:
No Freire for Worlds, 10 August
Freire Still Sore and Training, 28 July

Lampre-Fondital Down for Tour Méditerranéen

Tomorrow starts the Tour Méditerranéen, a five day romp on mostly French roads. Lampre-Fondital will bring to the race their riders who are looking for early spring form, like Daniele Bennati. The Italian finished 2nd in Saturday's GP Costa degli Etruschi and will be ramping up his form for the Spring Classics.

Lampre-Fondital for Tour Méditerranéen:
Daniele Bennati
Paolo Fornaciari
Danilo Napolitano
Matteo Carrara
Claudio Corioni
David Loosli
Mauro Santambrogio
Daniele Righi

Laigueglia Wall and Trofeo Laigueglia

This Saturday in Laigueglia (Liguria) will be the unveiling of the Muretto dei Campioni (or Wall of Champions). The 20m² wall will honor numerous past cycling champions with medallions and their signatures. The inauguration, 11 February at 16:00, will be followed by Sunday's Granfondo of 110K.

The Laigueglia Granfondo will honor Andrea Tafi and Franco Ballerini, and will be attended by some other big names in cycling. Among the list of ex-professionals riding are Ivan Gotti and Paolo Lanfranchi.

The following Tuesday, Valentine's Day, will be the grand event, the 43rd Trofeo Laigueglia. There will be 24 teams partaking in the Italian classic, six of which will be ProTour. The big names on the startlist include Olympic Champion Paolo Bettini and Filippo Pozzato, winner in 2003 and 2004. Other big names on the start line will be Luca Paolini (Liquigas), Mirko Celestino (Milram), Erik Zabel (Milram), Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas), Igor Astarloa (Barloworld) and Murilo Fischer (Naturino-Sapore di Mare).

The 43rd running takes in the traditional route of 183K, with two passes of the Passo del Ginestro (670m) and the Passo del Balestrino (690m). The Balestrino will leave 32K to the line, which will suit the sprinters with climbing legs, like Il Grillo.

6 February News ...