BiciRace.com :: News :: March 2006

News :: March 2006

10 March 2006

Paolo Bettini Thanks to Milram

Bettini Leads Charge, photo: Quick-Step

Paolo Bettini (Quick-Step) is seemingly unstoppable. The Toscano scored his second victory in Tirreno-Adriatico stage 2 by using the Milram train to his advantage. Over the top of the Tuscolo, with 8K remaining, the gruppo was lead by Milram to bring back the lone escapee to set-up for an Erik Zabel Victory.

"I should say thanks to Milram," said Bettini after yesterday's win. "They did a hard pull over the finale. Velo was excellent on the downhill and Petacchi followed very strong. When Petacchi brought in the escapee with 250 meters, I went because I was afraid to stay still and get closed-in."

Quick-Step boys did do their share of work in the early part of the stage leading to the Tuscolo. "We worked all day," explained Paolo Bettini who received thanks from former teammate Luca Paolini (Liquigas) who passed by. "A lot of important work from Quick-Step all day. Tomorrow and over the weekend I will try again, there are more stages that suit my style... I wanted to win the first three stages and I have already won two. With my current condition I could also vie for the overall. Bettini has won overall honors in Tirreno-Adriatico twice before, in 1999 and 2004.

Milano-Sanremo is only eight days away and Quick-Step appear to be super strong, considering that Bettini's teammate, Tom Boonen, is cleaning up in the ongoing Paris-Nice. "There will not be a rivalry with Boonen," explained Bettini in light of Sanremo. "If there is not a selection on the Poggio then I will be leading out the sprint. But we have to pay attention because Petacchi is very strong on the climbs. On the Tuscolo I was in more difficulty than he was. Also, Freire seems to be on the rise.

Today's stage 3 is 183K from Avezzano to Paglieta and should be suited to Il Grillo's style. There are 200 meters of climbing in the final 3.6K leading to the finish.

In-Form Pozzato Works for Bettini

What about Filippo Pozzato? The 24 year-old is showing excellent form and is happy to be working in the service of Quick-Step mate Paolo Bettini. "Pippo was asking me at 3K to go, 'Are you there?' And I said, 'Yes. Let's Go!' ... I will try to repay him soon for his great work, I know he has good condition," explained Bettini after his second stage victory.

"I asked Paolo if he was going well because I was feeling good too," explained Pozzato. "I am sorry I could not have a go... I was feeling good today. My legs are there and I hope to be able to have a win soon. I am still not 100% but there are stages that suit me."

Contrini Caught in Final Meters

Daniele Contrini (Team LPR) spent his day off the front of the peloton in stage 2 of the 2006 Tirreno-Adriatico. The 31 year-old passed a total of 153K away after departing in an escape with three others at 18K into the stage. His move was finally crushed by a hard-charging peloton only 175 meters from the finish line.

"The tifosi kept me going over the climb of the Tuscolo," said Contrini at the stage finish. "It would have been wonderful for the squadra to win a stage in the Tirreno-Adriatico. At 400 meters to go I saw they were coming and I knew it was over... I saw Bettini fly by and... BASTA. There are still other stages for me... I am a little upset but it will help me to try again."

Did you believe you could make it? "Over the Tuscolo I thought that I would be able to go the final 8K to the finish," said Contrini who received €1000 for topping the climb first. "It would have been my most beautiful victory... I will try again. I know that escapes are like this, where you get caught at the last minute, but I will still try. I am still in good condition."

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

Boonen Fires Again in Paris-Nice

Boonen in Green with number 3, photo: Quick-Step

While Paolo Bettini was winning in the Tirreno-Adriatico, his Quick-Step teammate was throwing down the hammer in France. Tom Boonen (25) took his third stage win in this year's Paris-Nice by polishing off Aussie Allan Davis (Liberty Seguros-Würth) in yesterday's 193K stage to Rasteau.

The finale was a bit dodgy for the Belgian who nearly lost control of his Time machine. "Everything was fine before the final sprint. My teammates had done a great job and suddenly my chain snapped, I nearly went over and crashed," explained Boonen. "I was unable to move up one gear but I still managed to keep pedaling and win..."

"Things are going fine. We're very strong," said Boonen in regards to the team's two wins in one day. "The problem is that in Milan-Sanremo, which is our main goal, we won't be alone to control the race, as is the case here. We'll be the favorite team and everybody will be out to get us. I would say that Alessandro Petacchi retains a 60% chance to win Milan–Sanremo while my chances are 40%.

The final three stages of the Paris-Nice might be hard for Boonen to win, the race starts to go vertical and the GC battle should heat-up again. L'Americano, Floyd Landis (Phonak), still leads the overall by a slim 9" over Patxi Vila (Lampre-Fondital).

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

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