BiciRace.com :: News :: February 2006

News :: February 2006

16 February 2006

Petacchi 2 - Boonen 0

Ale-Jet the Double-Rocker, photo: Quick-Step

The Ale-Jet and Tornado Tom show continues with the Italian getting the better of the Belgian in yesterday's stage 4 of the Vuelta a Andalucía. In their second 2006 battle Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) again whipped up the sprint to show a clean pair of wheels to World Champion Tom Boonen (Quick-Step). Today will be the final meeting of the sprint guns before La Classicissima, Milano-Sanremo (18 March).

"In the finale I was missing something because I had to work all day," explained Petacchi. "So I asked my teammates to mix with the Quick-Step train and I stayed behind Boonen. I had to take that risk. But when he accelerated I was right beside him and then passed for the win. ... This victory was harder than the last but I really wanted the win. It was a hard stage with the arrival on an uphill, but I won well and my condition is on the rise."

The sprint duel has really brought the attention on the two stars and is good for cycling. "It was this way with Cipollini and now with Boonen, everyone expects a dual between between us," explained the Petacchi. "We have met and battled. From him I have never lost. I give him my respect but maybe between us I am still faster."

The two will go their separate ways after Andalucía, the Belgian will head home to race the Het Volk (25 February) and the Italian will stay in Spain for the Vuelta Comunidad Valenciana (21 - 25 February).

Read:
Petacchi 1 - Boonen 0, 15 February
Dude, Where Is My Sprint?, 14 February
Sprint on Hold in Andalucía, 13 February
Petacchi and Boonen for Andalucía, 11 February

Pippo and Parsani Reflect on Laigueglia

According to Serge Parsani, Quick-Step DS, his rider Filippo Pozzato did not make a good impression in Tuesday's Trofeo Laigueglia. "He made me upset. His head was not in the race. He did not consider the race that important, whereas I always want my racers to be protagonists," explained Parsani.

Paolo Bettini was marked as the team leader for the race and he had stated his intentions for the win, leaving teammate Pippo to play his cards. "At Laigueglia he had to stay close to Bettini. Then from this position he would have been able to be a threat for victory. ... Filippo understands and we are not trying to make this into a drama."

The Italian race was marked from the start by a fast pace and a multitude of attacks. "I suffered from the fast start," explained Pippo (24). "I felt bad the Friday before the race but they still expected a lot from me. I feel calm and my condition is there. My season will start with Het Volk [25 February]."

Read:
Vacation then Training for Pozzato, 1 November

Team CSC and Phonak Teams for Tour of California

Danish Team CSC and Swiss Phonak have announced their riders for the Tour of California (starting 19 February). From their training camp in Solvang, California, Team CSC listed the names of the eight riders who will compete in the inaugural Tour of California.

Three CSC home favorites will be backed by an international mix of cycling hard men. The Team CSC Squadra for Cali: Americans David Zabriskie, Christian Vande Velde and Bobby Julich, with Lars Bak, Fabian Cancellara, Karsten Kroon, Stuart O'Grady and Jens Voigt.

"I'm sending a very motivated group of riders who can win the Tour of California," said Bjarne Riis, Team Manager of CSC. "And since the race finishes in Southern California, near the headquarters of CSC, our title sponsor, it's a race we'd clearly love to win."

The green and yellow squadra, Phonak, has also listed their riders for the stage race. Floyd Landis has made no secret that he would dearly love to win this race that finishes near his home. The American will be backed by Martin Elmiger, Robert Hunter, Nicolas Jalabert, Patrick McCarty, Alexandre Moos, Miguel Angel Perdiguero and Steve Zampieri.

Read:
Team CSC Train and Race in California, 12 January

15 February News ...