BiciRace.com :: News :: February 2006

News :: February 2006

21 February 2006

Emotional Day for Haedo and Leipheimer

Juan José Haedo Scores Big, photo: Tour of California

Yesterday in stage 1 of the Tour of California Juan José Haedo took the first ever victory for his newly formed squadra, Toyota-United Pro. Haedo overcame the mighty ProTour teams and slammed down his fist, saying 'I am here'.

"The boys worked for me to stay safe in the front, and then I was on my own [for] the last part," said Haedo (25) after the stage. "I almost crashed at about 1 kilometer to go... I just went as hard as I could and I went a little bit early. It was really good, eh? I'm really surprised that I had that big of a gap. With nine ProTour teams, I was really surprised and at the same time, I worked for that, and I think I kicked at the right spot. It was very emotional."

Haedo also took the lead in the sprint competition by winning the stage and will be spotted in the green sprint jersey for today's stage 2. Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner) will continue today in his golden leader's jersey after successfully defending his overall lead into his hometown of Santa Rosa.

"I've been dreaming for months, training the whole winter, everyday thinking about the possibility of winning the prologue and bringing the yellow jersey into my hometown, and then to actually realize that dream is something I can't describe," said the 32 year-old after the stage. (pssst, Levi, the jersey is 'golden'.) "... It was very impressive to see the support for the race and for me. I'm overwhelmed and very grateful. It's just a special day for me."

2006 Tour of California, 19 - 26 February
Main, Overall Map, Photos

Saunier Duval-Prodir for Swiss Weekend

BiciRace.com caught up with Matteo Algeri of Saunier Duval-Prodir while he was planning for his Swiss weekend. The Director Sportivo will take the same crew of eight riders to both the GP Chiasso (25 February) and GP di Lugano (26 February).

Matteo confirmed the following startlist:
Rubens Bertogliati
Oliver Zaugg
Guido Trentin
Nicolas Fritsch
Christophe Rinero
"Litu" - Ángel Gómez Gómez
Piotr Mazur
Alberto Fernández De La Puebla

Condition on Rise for Ale-Jet

Today in Spain the Vuelta Ciclista a la Comunidad Valenciana will commence (21 - 25 February). It will be another chance for Alessandro Petacchi to test his sprint legs and prepare his lead-out men, il treno Milram.

Last week Ale-Jet went head-to-head with the World Champion Tom Boonen at the Vuelta a Andalucía, taking two stages to the Belgian's one. "I give him respect because he is a grand champion," said Ale-Jet (32). "And he is a natural champion, one that I see as a huge rival. But I race to win, not to beat him. For this reason I am disappointed to lose the last sprint at the Ruta del Sol. It was a day that I felt better but I was not able to make my sprint, and we arrived at the photo finish."

"But look, I am happy with my wins so far and feel my condition is on the rise, which is a good signal for Sanremo," continued the Italian. "This year I want to win an additional classic, and for 2007 I would like to win three." Petacchi won't see Boonen again until La Classicissima, Milano-Sanremo (18 March), the Belgian will race this weekend in the Het Volk and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne.

Read:
Petacchi Still Refining Treno Milram, 6 February
Petacchi Develops Milram Train, 3 February
The Northern Classics for Petacchi, 27 October

Merckx Gives Bike to Castro

Eddy Merckx, who Saturday gave 1000 bikes to Cuban racers, has now handed over a bike of his own to Fidel Castro. While visiting Cuba the cycling legend gave the country's president a blue Merckx bike decorated with two small Cuban flags. The gift from Merckx was in honor of Castro's commitment to sport in Cuba.

The donation of 1000 bikes is sponsored by the Belgian lottery and is intended to help support sport on the island. Merckx also assisted in the finish of the Vuelta a Cuba, where he gifted the overall winner a new Merckx bike. So, on your next visit to Cuba do not be surprised to see 'Merckx' everywhere you look.

Read:
Eddy Merckx is 60, 17 June

Cunego Starts and Bettini Swiss

Damiano Cunego will make his race debut this weekend in the Clasica de Almeria (26 February). The 2004 Giro d'Italia winner will be building his form for May, where he hopes to win the Giro for a second time.

Paolo Bettini, who already started his season, will take part in the Swiss weekend of GP Chiasso (25 February) and GP di Lugano (26 February). The Olympic Champion has spent the last week with some of his Quick-Step teammates at a training camp in Salsomaggiore (Emilia-Romagna).

Read:
Last Winter Test for Cunego, 17 February
Bettini Scores in Port de Sóller, 9 February

20 February News ...