BiciRace.com

• News
• Races
• Photos
• Interviews
• Inside Scoop
• Gear & Gadgets

6 March 2006

7 March News ...

Il Americano (Julich) Storms Paris

Il Americano, Bobby Julich, stormed the 4800 meter parcours of the 2006 Paris-Nice opener to take the day's win and prologue. It was the first win of the season for Team CSC and the 17th career victory for the 34 year-old. The J-Man must now be considered a hot favorite to take the first Maglia Rosa of the Giro d'Italia on 6 May in Seraing, where he will be riding for his team leader Ivan Basso.

"I simply had killer legs today," said Julich. "The route suited me perfectly and I really had the feeling that I was fast. It was a special feeling to start as the last one and be able to keep everyone behind me." Il Americano narrowly ousted Kazakh Kashechkin (Liberty Seguros-Würth), who had held on to the lead for most of the late afternoon.

"It's always a great feeling to win and it's quite a good statistic to kick off my European season: one start – one win," said a delighted Julich. "Quick-Step isn't far behind with Boonen and they'll likely go for the jersey now, which is just fine by me. We'll take it one day at a time without wearing the team down completely. I don't think the race will be decided until the mountains in the Nice area and if my legs are as good as they were today anything is possible."

After a disappointing Tour of California the team has recorded their season's first win thanks to Julich. "Bobby did a fantastic prologue," said Team Manager Bjarne Riis. "... Of course we'll try and defend the jersey, but I think there will be other teams with similar interests. There are three fairly flat stages before the race moves uphill and here the other teams will have to get out there and attack us in order to be a threat. From that point of view we're in a dream position."

2006 Paris-Nice, 5 - 12 March
Main, Startlist, Overall Map, Photos

Petacchi-Zabel on Show in Lucca

Today's Giro della Provincia di Lucca will be the first time that Alessandro Petacchi and Erik Zabel will race together for their new Milram Squadra. Over the winter Gianluigi Stanga formed the new ProTour squadra out of Domina Vacanze and Team Wiesenhof, in the process he signed up the fast German and a load of old Fassa Bortolo riders. The combination of the two sprinting greats is still under the microscope to determine its validity. The Giro di Lucca, followed by the Tirreno-Adriatico, should give the pundits some idea of how this new marriage will operate before the big season objective: Milano-Sanremo

"To start racing with Alessandro is key in light of Sanremo," said the 4X Sanremo winner, Zabel. "This race and Tirreno-Adriatico will be important to see how we are able to integrate, and to study the sprint mechanisms. I did not want to arrive at 18 March without ever racing with him."

"We still have not talked," said the winner of last year's Sanremo, Petacchi. "But the words don't serve much between us, we have enough experience and we will soon meet. I have already explained to him how I like to do my sprint, but from time to time we can change this. Having Erik in the squad is an advantage and who can lead me out better than him? No one."

Today's race will be run on the roads in the province of Lucca. Petacchi will search to repeat his win in 2000 but he will face some competition from the likes of Bettini, Astarloa and Grillo, to name a few. Stay with BiciRace.com for a full report.

Cunego Leaves Murcia with Good Form

Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Fondital) finished one of his season's first racing objectives, the Vuelta a Murcia, under 80Kph winds. Yesterday, in the final stage of the five-day stage race, the organizers had to neutralize the race due to unsafe conditions, the first time this has happened since the fourth stage of the 1995 Vuelta a España. "I have never raced in a wind like this," said Cunego after the finish.

The race was a confirmation of Cunego's off-season training and indicates that he is on track for a second Giro d'Italia win. "Last year I had better condition, but I really pushed it and it was achieved in a hurry," explained the Veronese. "This year I have achieved my form gradually. ...And I am not yet there, I still need to lose some kilograms [from 62 to 59Kg]. But I am able to become better from here to the departure of the Giro."

Giuseppe Martinelli, Team Manager, would have been happier if Cunego won stage four's Cima Pantani, a climb dedicated to the late Italian climber, but must nonetheless be content with the progression. "That climb would have been a coup for us but I am still happy with Cunego," said Martinelli. "He went well on that climb and that was after three hard days racing, which included the time trial where he also rode well."

From here Il Piccolo Principe will return to his home in Italy and race the Milano-Sanremo on 18 March. After La Classicissima he plans for a period of training and reconnaissance, previewing some of the key stages of the Giro d'Italia.

Read:
Valverde Blasts Off and Cunego Measures, 3 March
After Almeria Cunego on Meds, 1 March
Spanish TT Time for Cunego, 28 February
A Good Start for Cunego, 27 February

Continued Growth by Ballan

Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-Fondital) is continuing a strong early season, after winning the Trofeo Laigueglia two weeks ago and then Saturday he finished fourth in the Milano-Torino. It may not seem like a great result, but it was spectacular riding on the Italian's part to help catch the day's main protagonists, Igor Astarloa (Barloworld) and Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas).

Ballan and Mirko Celestino (Milram) went full throttle down the Colle di Superga to bridge to the Spanish-Italian duo in the final meters. The Lampre-Fondital rider tried his luck for the sprint but could not contain Astarloa and ended with fourth. The placing adds to his confidence leading into the season's big spring races, specifically Milano-Sanremo, Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.

"Alessandro went great in catching the leading duo after the downhill with 200 meters left," said Maurizio Piovani, Team DS. "Once he caught them, he tried to keep the momentum going in order to anticipate the sprint, but he didn't succeed. Even if the victory didn't arrive, I'm very satisfied with how he raced."

Read:
Ballan Conquers Trofeo di San Valentino, 15 February

3 March News ...