BiciRace.com :: News :: March 2006

News :: March 2006

22 March 2006

Danilo & Dave at Coppi & Bartali

Danilo Napolitano (Lampre-Fondital) and David Zabriskie (Team CSC) took out the first two semi-stages of the Settimana Ciclistica di Coppi e Bartali. Napolitano took his win in a sprint under dodgy weather conditions, while Zabriskie took his in the afternoon's team time trial.

The morning stage was run under rain and cold temperatures, officials stopped GC timing six kilometers from the finish for the rider's safety. This did not stop a wet and wily sprint, where 25 year-old Napolitano scored his ninth career victory. "I hope I am starting to become a protagonist, after 34 wins in the amateur ranks," explained il Siciliano who turned pro in 2005.

"After this week I will go to Belgium for the 3 Days of De Panne and Gent-Wevelgem. No Giro for me, but maybe I will race the Tour," continued Napolitano. "I am Siciliano, born in Vittoria, but I live 'single' in Lago d'Iseo [Lombardia]."

L'Americano, Zabriskie, wore the Maillot Jaune in the Tour de France for three days last year and won the Firenze Crono of the Giro d'Italia. His crono strength is second to none and he proved so by backing his Danish squadra to victory in the afternoon's 12K test, with a time of 12'49" and 56.176 K/h average. Zabriskie (27) now leads the overall GC going into today's stage 2.

"It's a discipline, we've practiced over and over during our training camps and clearly it's made a difference. It's always special to win a team time trial, especially for us," said Team Manager Bjarne Riis after the stage in Misano.

Petacchi in Belgium

Petacchi for Belgium, photo: BiciRace.com

Alessandro Petacchi (Milram), after finishing seconding in last Saturday's Milano-Sanremo, is now in Belgium preparing for a Northern campaign. Today he will race the GP Waregem, followed by the E3-Prijs Harelbeke (25 March), 3 Days of De Panne (28 - 30 March), Tour of Flanders (2 April) and the Gent-Wevelgem (5 April).

"On the program are races that are more suited to a sprinter," said Petacchi. "I am now able to go strong in the climbs, which will help me for Flanders. ... The other day I called [Michele] Bartoli to confirm gear selection for Flanders. I thought of using a 41, but he said to use a 39, so this is what I will use."

Petacchi (32), confident in his legs, had thoughts of attacking in the Milano-Sanremo when Ballan attacked on the Poggio. "I had thought to follow Ballan and Pozzato because my legs were there," said the Italian. "The risk would have been big. And who would have ridden with me to the finish?"

The races in Belgium are not strangers to Italian sprinters. Mario Cipollini won the Gent-Wevelgem three times in his career. However, for Petacchi to win the Ronde Van Vlaanderen he will have to do something special, there will be some blood-thirsty Belgians gunning for victory on 2 April.

Read:
The Northern Classics for Petacchi, 27 October

Ulle to Sarthe and Giro

Jan Ullrich (T-Mobile) is planning on making his 2006 debut in France at the Circuit de la Sarthe (4 - 7 April). "I am ready to start racing," said the 32 year-old from Toscana, where he has been training.

Most of the Tour de France favorites, like Ivan Basso and Alexander Vinokourov, have already started their racing. "Vinokourov, for example, has done a lot less than normal. At Sanremo he finished in 142nd. If I did the same program, with the same placing, then everyone would immediately say that I am behind in my preparations."

Ulle has confirmed that he will take to the start line of the Giro d'Italia, starting 6 May. "If all continues the same, then I certainly will be at the start for the Giro. I'll be testing my legs on a few stages. I will not be concentrating on the GC however," said the German, who last competed in 2001.

Read:
Ulle: Sì to the Giro d'Italia, 1 March
To Toscana for Ullrich, 22 February
Ulle All for Tour and Partly Giro, 16 January
Ulle to Race Giro with Eye on Tour, 25 November
Ulle Tuned-In for Giro Presentation, 14 November
2006 Giro d'Italia Welcomes Jan Ullrich, 13 October

Andreas Klöden Crashes in Training

Andreas Klöden (T-Mobile) crashed on wet roads and injured his shoulder while training near his home in Switzerland. Yesterday the 30 year-old went to the near-by hospital to confirm his injury, which will require an operation today. Depending on the success of the operation to his right shoulder, Klöden could be back on the trainer in two weeks.

It is a continuation of bad luck for the German, who finished 2nd in the 2004 Tour de France but crashed out of the 2005 edition. The 2006 season started smoothly, Klöden had a good ride in Tirreno-Adriatico and then returned home to continue his training for this weekend's Critérium International in France.

Klöden's schedule is now up in the air for the next few weeks. BiciRace.com hopes to see the German quickly back on form and supporting his compatriot, Ullrich, in La Grand Boucle.

Read:
Klöden and Ullrich add Kilometers in Africa, 16 December
Andreas Klöden Starts in February, 13 December
Klöden Out of Action, 4 August

Paolini Feels for Ronde Van Vlaanderen

Paolini Feels for Ronde Van Vlaanderen, photo: BiciRace.com

Luca Paolini (Liquigas), who finished third in the Milano-Sanremo, is on his way north. The Italian (29) will race all of the big Northern Classics, except for the Paris-Roubaix.

"The ride in Milano-Sanremo gives me good sensations for the next appointments," said the Milanese. "My feelings for the Tour of Flanders are something very special, but this will not undervalue the other races. Other than the race of the Muur's I will concentrate on the 3 Days of De Panne and the Amstel Gold Race."

Read:
Liquigas with Paolini and Garzelli, 19 March
Un Bravo Paolini Targets One-Day Races, 31 January

21 March News ...