BiciRace.com :: News :: February 2006

News :: February 2006

15 February 2006

Petacchi 1 - Boonen 0

Petacchi stomped the terra of Córdoba and proved that he is the sprinter number one. Yesterday in stage 3 of the Vuelta a Andalucía was the first showdown between the two sprint titans, Tom Boonen (Quick-Step) and Alessandro Petacchi (Milram), and it was the Italian who drew first blood for the 2006 season.

Petacchi scored one on Boonen but, perhaps more importantly, also showed why he should be the sprint leader for Milram. "To win is always important, but even more important to win in front of the World Champion," said Ale-Jet after the Spanish showdown. "It is normal that there is a little tension between us, Boonen has come off lots of wins in Qatar, where he also battled Zabel, and everyone was expecting this confrontation. Erik thought that he would be able to knock him down but I did."

"When Boonen went I knew that I had to be on his wheel. Then I pushed at the right moment and made my sprint," said Ale-Jet. "There is no doubt that he is a champion of the classics but I have something more than him when it comes down to a pure sprint. ... This victory goes to my wife, Anna Chiara, for Valentine's Day, and I want to remember Marco Pantani, who died on this day."

Petacchi makes the important point that Boonen is the currently the undisputed king of the Classics. "I made an error, I was beaten under the circumstances," said the Belgian post-race. The Italian from La Spezia has desires to win the Tour of Flanders, and even has enlisted the help of Michele Bartoli, but he is likely to receive a solid pounding from Boonen on his home terra.

There are two more possible sprint showdowns in Andalucía ... Stay tuned!

Read:
Dude, Where Is My Sprint?, 14 February
Sprint on Hold in Andalucía, 13 February
Petacchi and Boonen for Andalucía, 11 February

Ballan Conquers Trofeo di San Valentino

Ballan and Martinelli Celebrate, photo: Lampre-Fondital

Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-Fondital) displayed strength in the Trofeo di San Valentino (err... Trofeo Laigueglia) by winning from a sprint of five after a day of hard racing. The Italian (26) from Castelfranco Veneto showed his muscle after escaping from an elite group that contained Paolo Bettini (Quick-Step) and Mirko Celestino (Milram).

"This year I feel stronger, I am more convinced, I am more valued and I have more responsibilities", said Ballan after his third career victory. "When Cummings went at 200 meters I was a little worried. He quickly gained a meter on me but I was able to remount and take the win."

Ballan will look ahead for the northern classics, so too will Bettini, who had publicly stated his desire to win yesterday's race. "This win was one I really wanted," said il Grillo. "A hard course right away, which was good. I still am lacking a win in Laigueglia ... They left me behind and trapped ... But this is one of the beauties of ciclismo, no?"

Read:
Bettini Wants Trofeo Laigueglia, 6 February

Gilberto Simoni in Belgium

Gilberto Simoni (Saunier Duval-Prodir) was in Belgium for the presentation of the Granfondo Charly Gaul and used the opportunity to check out the parcours of the Giro d'Italia prologue in Seraing (to be run 6 May). Simoni liked the 6.2K course a lot and thinks it suits the specialists. The Italian also took the time to ride the finale of Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Today Gibo will depart for the Wild West where he will start in the Tour of California on Sunday.

14 February News ...