BiciRace.com :: News :: March 2006

News :: March 2006

9 March 2006

Bettini Rocks Tirreno Opener

Bettini with GC Maglia, photo: Quick-Step

The first stage of the 41st Tirreno-Adriatico went off with a Bettini Bang. Il Grillo, Paolo Bettini (Quick-Step), jammed the accelerator in the final 200 meters to Tivoli to win the stage and take the leader's jersey. "Everyone knew it would be a tough finish," said Bettini while trying to catch his breath. "I knew that the squadra could do the work for me today... Thanks to them. This was a great win but we have just started."

The indicators were all there for a tough edition of the Corsa dei Due Mari and the difficulties started from stage one with the final 3K stretch of 6% gradient. "Really tough," said Il Grillo of this year's Tirreno. "Decisive will be the crono of Servigliano and the climb to San Giacomo [Monday], which we did in the 2002 Giro when Julio Pérez won. But the next two stages I like a lot. Tomorrow [stage 2] has the Tuscolo in the finale that will put the sprinters in difficulty. Then there is Saturday, to Paglieta, where I have won the last two times... There is not two without three."

"Domani Bis! [double tomorrow] Everyone will be watching and we will do our best to show that we are the strongest," said Bettini after yesterday's stage win. "All the old Romani want to see a good stage and we will do our best. Today I did some great work but tomorrow... Vediamo [we will see]."

Of note is the Olympic Champion's strength, he claims that he is stronger than when he won Milano-Sanremo three years ago. "I never have been like this, even in 2003 when I won Sanremo... But this does not mean that I will be able to win Sanremo again," said Bettini. Finally he remarked on his year-long winning style: "I am content to be Bettini and try to arrive at the front every time that I can."

Final word went to Bettini's mate, Filippo Pozzato, "Paolo is in super condition, it is right the team works for him. We gave him all of our service... He won with force... Bravo Bettini!"

Zabel Thanks to Petacchi

Many noted the impressive finish of Erik Zabel (Milram) in yesterday's Tirreno-Adriatico stage. In the final stretch of stage 1 to Tivoli the German made a slow but steady movement from behind and finished second on the stage. Maybe he won't win a stage in Tirreno-Adriatico, but this shows well for a possible Milram offensive on the slopes of the Poggio in 9 days at the Milano-Sanremo.

"I am content because the squadra showed it was really strong," said Zabel after the finish. "Thanks a lot to Petacchi that did a lot of work for me today."

"The only thing to do today was to stay with Quick-Step, they were strong," said Alessandro Petacchi after the stage in his customary big white head-band. "Zabel gave it a great effort but he was behind with 1K to go and had a lot of ground to make up." Milram decided to work for Zabel today? "Well, he is lighter and better on this sort of uphill finish, it was easier for him. ... We will try again tomorrow and the next days."

Second Race and Garzelli Happy

Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas) finished with the front group in his second race of the season. Yesterday's stage 1 finale of Tirreno put a lot of riders in difficulty but il Varesino showed his form is there. "I felt good on the last section but with a lot of fatigue," said Garzelli after the finish. "In the finale I was able to recover, and considering this is only my second race of the season, after Torino, I cannot really complain."

Read:
Bettini Battles The Killer and Garzelli, 8 March
Garzelli Points for the Adriatico, 3 March

2006 Tirreno-Adriatico, 8 - 14 March
Main, Startlist, Overall Map, Photos

Landis in Yellow after the Gold Rush

Landis - New GC Leader, photo: Phonak

Floyd Landis (Phonak) finished second in yesterday's stage 3 of the Paris-Nice and moved himself into the overall lead. Coming straight out of the Wild West, taking a golden victory in the Tour of California, l'Americano has good form and legs. "It was a very hard stage," said No-Fuss Floyd at the finish. "I knew I had good legs after my victory in the Tour of California but to take the jersey so early in the race comes as a bit of a surprise."

Today's stage 4 is a flat affair but stages 5 and 7 should test Floyd's Phonak squadra. "The objective is to repeat here in Paris-Nice... I will do my utmost to keep the jersey because it is very important for the team and the sponsor." Landis has 9" advantage over Patxi Vila (Lampre-Fondital) in second and 1'13" over Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) in third.

Vila Scores First in Paris-Nice

Patxi Vila (Lampre-Fondital) marked his first win as a professional in yesterday's stage 3 of the Paris-Nice. "I'm super happy to win here in Saint-Etienne because it's my 5th Paris-Nice and it's a town I like very much," said the 30 year-old after the stage win. "I had been waiting for a win like this for a long time."

"I really did not know how I would go in this cold, but I responded well to Landis and this indicates I have the form," continued Vila. "It is my first victory as a professional, but I turned pro late, in 2001. I usually do great work as a domestique but it was nice to have a day for me. Now I have hopes for the final victory but it will be hard to topple Floyd. I look forward to the two big stages in the south and especially the one to Cannes, which looks especially hard."

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

Shoulder Blade Surgery for Celestino

Mirko Celestino (Milram) will face surgery tomorrow in Bergamo to correct the fracture to his right shoulder blade. The Italian hit the pavement in Tuesday's stage 2 of the Paris-Nice and now will be forced to miss his home race, the Milano-Sanremo. Il Ligure hopes to return to racing action in 15 days, missing Sanremo and the Tour of Flanders, but in time for the Amstel Gold Race and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

Read:
Vande Velde and Celestino Out of Paris-Nice, 8 March

8 March News ...