BiciRace.com :: News :: March 2006

News :: March 2006

18 March 2006

Heads of State: Boonen and Bettini

Bettini and Boonen Plan Quick-Step Front, photo: BiciRace.com

At the Hotel Cosmo we will gather. You bring your Belgian friend and I will bring my Italian friend. ... Quick-Teammates Tom Boonen and Paolo Bettini answered the press yesterday in Milano, explaining how they will work together. Today they face a very interesting race today in the Milano-Sanremo: The Belgian wants the bunch to stay together until the Via Roma but the Italian will try his hardest to break the grip of the sprinters, which includes his teammate.

"When I won the 2003 Sanremo I attacked everywhere," said Bettini, with a relaxed Boonen at his side. "I come off of Tirreno with good form, but I had the crash. I know that Sanremo is an entirely different race, the finale is very diverse."

"Paolo will put the pressure on Milram, which is good for me," explained the World Champion. But which teammates will he need at the finish? "I will want three riders... Guido Trenti, Matteo Tosatto and anyone else, it doesn't matter."

Did Eddy Merckx give you advice before this race? "No, that is a rumor," continued Boonen. "The race is simple: 300 kilometers of flat and then the sprint. There are two things you need: one is don't crash and the second is be on the front for the Cipressa. ... I am very close to my top form and more relaxed than last year. There is no reason to be nervous, it is my second Sanremo and I am relaxed."

BiciRace.com asked who besides Petacchi will be contenders for the Belgian. "Oscar Freire and Erik Zabel," said Boonen. "I don't think of Zabel as the last lead-out man for Petacchi, but as a separate sprinter." Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole)? "Winning a stage in the Tirreno-Adriatico and winning Sanremo are two different things. It is a big difference." Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto)? "If he wins with two cracked ribs then I will ride my bike all the way home [to Belgium]!

The Quick-Step dynamics of Sanremo will be very interesting to watch. What is happens on the Via Roma is likely to influence the team unity going to the Tour of Flanders... Stay tuned.

Read:
Boonen: Balen to Bergamo, 16 March
Sanremo: Boonen and Bettini Prepare, 14 March
Last Sanremo Recon for Boonen, 12 March

Valverde Marks Bettini

Valverde Trains, photo: BiciRace.com

BiciRace.com caught the Green Bullet, Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears), during yesterday's Milano-Sanremo training ride. The Spaniard was very nice to stop and answer some questions for us during the middle of his ride.

Valverde with Pinarello Prince, photo: BiciRace.com

You are in good form? "I am going well and it will be a good race," said Valverde. "I will go on the Cipressa or Poggio. I will be there and cover any moves by Bettini... Then if it comes to a sprint, well, we will see."

BiciRace.com considers Valverde a strong favorite. Many should turn their attention to the Spaniard, marking his moves instead of waiting for Il Grillo to jump.

Simoni Tries BiciRace.com

Simoni with BiciRace.com Prodir Pen, photo: BiciRace.com

Don't forget that Gilberto Simoni will be starting tomorrow's Classicissima. The Saunier Duval-Prodir rider could make his move on the Cipressa or Poggio with the likes of a rider like Bettini, Valverde or Rebellin. BiciRace.com spoke with Simoni Thursday night in Bergamo, where he was presented with one of our Prodir pens. We will have a full interview in the coming weeks.

In bocca al lupo Gibo!

17 March News ...