BiciRace.com :: News :: February 2006

News :: February 2006

13 February 2006

Rigotto Strikes Gold in Sanremo

Rigotto GC Winner Dessel, photo: Tour Méditerranéen

Yesterday in the final stage of the Tour Méditerranéen sprint glory went to Elia Rigotto of Milram. Many expected Daniele Bennati, Danilo Napolitano or Erik Zabel to take the stage in Sanremo on the Via Roma, but it was Zabel's young Italian teammate (23) to sparkle.

"I was the last companion with Zabel and I thought that I would have to work for him," said Rigotto. "I was pulling hard to put the group in a line, and then I ended up with a 20 meter advantage. Zabel was behind and realized my advantage, and then he gave me liberty to go for the win. ... I have been a sprinter since I started in cycling, and my inspiration has been Petacchi, and now he is here in the same squadra. But certainly from Zabel there is a lot to learn."

Flying past the line on the famed Via Roma many noticed Rigotto's two tattoos, one star under each arm, perfectly visible when his arms are raised in victory. "I take inspiration from the seamen, men who are always traveling, a little like us," said the man of gold. Rigotto is from Vicenza, a province famous for their jewelry factories, and he has a diploma as a goldsmith.

2006 Tour Méditerranéen, 8 - 12 February
Main, Startlist, Overall Map, Photos

Sprint on Hold in Andalucía

There was no sprint for Alessandro Petacchi and Tom Boonen in the opening stage of the Vuelta a Andalucía. An escape group was allowed their freedom, 31 minutes by the end of the stage, and the honors went to Adolfo García Quesada (Andalucia-Paul Versan). Tifosi will have to wait for a Treno Milram and a Treno Blu battle over the next four stages.

Read:
Petacchi and Boonen for Andalucía, 11 February

Day Dedicated to Pantani

Marco Pantani died two years ago on 14 February and yesterday in Cervia (Emilia Romagna) was a day to remember il Pirata. Friends, Family and Tifosi all came in honor of the late cyclist with songs, food, church services and a bicycle ride.

At a mass in Cesenatico Pantani's parents received well wishes from many, including former cyclists Gianni Bugno and Roberto Conti. "In these occasions we live with great pain, and also anger for the injustice that Marco and his family have had to endure," said Marco's dad, Paolo.

Tomorrow there are other programs in honor of Marco Pantani: Cesenatico and Feriolo di Baveno will both hold a special mass and in Lucca will be the second edition of the Remember Marco Pantani ride.

Team LPR to Paris-Roubaix

Today it was made official: On 9 April Team LPR will take part in the Hell of the North, Paris-Roubaix. The French organizers have given the invitation to the Italian-Swiss team for the running of their 104th Paris-Roubaix.

"I am really happy to have another chance," said Dario Pieri, who finished second in 2003. "I know the roads and what I am capable of in the French race. ... My teammates and I will honor the invitation."

Read:
Team LPR and Pieri at Camp, 13 January

CAS Rejects Hamilton's Appeal

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has rejected Tyler Hamilton's appeal and upheld the doping charges against the American. The American attempted to overturn the United States Anti-Doping Agency's (USADA) decision of an imposed two-year suspension, which resulted from a positive test for a homologous blood transfusion during the 2004 Vuelta a España.

There is a little good news for the 35 year-old, the CAS arbitrators ruled that Hamilton's two-year ban should have been effective from the date of his initial suspension (23 September 2004) rather than the issue date of the ban (18 April 2005). This could allow Hamilton to return to professional cycling this fall, just two days before the road World Championships in Salzburg.

"Based on my devastating personal experience over the last year and a half, I am committed to fighting for reform within the anti-doping movement. I do support the anti-doping mission and USADA, however the current system has failed an innocent athlete and needs to change ...," said Hamilton in an issued statement. "I don't believe any athlete should be subjected to a flawed test or charged with a doping violation through the use of a method that is not fully validated or generates fluctuating results. ... My goal is to keep other athletes from experiencing the enormous pain and horrendous toll of being wrongly accused"

Read:
Tyler Hamilton Meets with CAS, 10 January
Tyler Hamilton Files Appeal with CAS, 2 June
Hamilton Receives Two-Year Suspension, 18 April

Laigueglia Tomorrow - Liquigas Ready

Tomorrow is the 43rd running of the Trofeo Laigueglia, a traditional spring Italian race. Lining up for the 183K event are some big Italian names: Mirko Celestino, (Milram), Paolo Bettini, Filippo Pozzato (both Quick-Step), Daniele Bennati and Giuliano Figueras (both Lampre-Fondital).

The Green Liquigas boys will be starting in their second Italian race of the season, after GP Costa degli Etruschi. The squadra for the corsa ligure, directed by Stefano Zanatta, will be: Eros Capecchi, Dario Cioni, Mauro Da Dalto, Francesco Failli, Marco Milesi, Vincenzo Nibali, Andrea Noè and Charles Wegelius.

11 February News ...