BiciRace.com :: News :: March 2006

News :: March 2006

29 March 2006

Hoste and Eisel Duel

Hoste Continues Disco Domination, photo: Capture-The -Peloton.com

Yesterday in stage 1 of the 3 Days of De Panne Leif Hoste picked up where his American squadra finished last year, in the GC lead. The 28 year-old Belgian stuck-it to his two escape companions in a close sprint, in particular Bernhard Eisel (Française Des Jeux).

Remember that it was the Austrian, Eisel, who ruined Tom Boonen's winning streak in Qatar. Eisel, confident in his power, led-out around a final right-hander, and was edged-out by Disco Hoste on the line. "It was no good for me to get second in the sprint," said the 25 year-old after finishing behind Hoste. "The team won't be very happy, but I will look forward to Flanders and Roubaix next week."

"Leif Hoste was strong, and smart in the way he won the sprint. ... For me the classification is not a factor, I am not a good time trialist anyway," finished Eisel.

Escape Trio, photo: Davitamon-Lotto

Hoste scored his first season win after a string of second places. "I surprised myself with the finish," said the Discovery Channel rider. "You know that in the past I've often been in a good position, but then I would lose the sprint. Today, Eisel and Steegmans were the favorites and I beat them."

"Because of the way I won it is even more enjoyable," continued Hoste. "Dirk Demol had wanted me to try an attack, but today I had a really good eye. After all those second places, like Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, it is nice to finally win."

Pippo's Legs Kick on Côtes

Filippo Pozzato (Quick-Step) finished 6th in yesterday's stage 1 of the 3 Days of De Panne. He showed that his legs were still kicking after not racing since his amazing Milano-Sanremo victory.

"I wanted to do more in the stage, but when the break went I was too far behind," said Pippo. In the closing kilometers the Italian worked with compatriots Danilo Napolitano and Roberto Petito, "We lacked understanding between us ...Though I'm happy with the way my legs responded. I was able to give them a good test on the côtes."

Read:
Racing Continues for Pippo, 28 March
Pippo Repays Boonen and Bettini, 21 March
Pippo Heads North, 20 March
Pippo Holds and Wins a Grand Classic, 19 March

LL Sánchez Closes

Luis León Sánchez (Liberty Seguros-Würth) hunted down the leading trio in the final kilometers of yesterday's stage in De Panne. The Spaniard was with a powerful chasing group nearing the finale when he headed out on his own, eventually closing the gap to 12" at the line. "At approximately 30 kilometers to go I made a solo jump because I had good legs, and also because Manolo [Saiz] gave the order. He wanted me to try to see if I could take back the minute and half advantage," said LL Sánchez.

Due to bonus seconds, LL now is 25" behind the overall leader, Hoste. His crono skills will come in handy on the final day, a double day around the city De Panne. "I don't know why, but double stages always have been good for me, like in Alcobendas, where I have won the time trial twice. Here, with the double stage on the last day, I plan to take advantage of the opportunity."

After the 3 Days of De Panne finishes Luis León Sánchez will take a needed break. He will return to racing in May, using Alcobendas and the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya to build for the Tour de France.

De Panne Tests Ballan

Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-Fondital), 26 years-old and third year pro, had a good test yesterday on the 'walls' of De Panne. The Italian finished stage 1 in Zottegem with the main gruppo, which included World Champion Tom Boonen.

After the stage Ballan took some time to reflect on the stage and the pavé. "The races here in the north provide plenty of natural selection," said the rider from Castelfranco Veneto. "The historic pavé are at times perfect and sometimes there are huge holes. Crash here and it is over. ... Today on all the 'walls' I really had a good chance to test my legs. There were four climbs in the last three laps, for a total of 12. Each climb we took so fast, like a sprint, fighting for position. Each time it was a short effort, but very strenuous."

"Now I am a marked man, unlike last year when I could go off the front and no one would pay attention. I have to race differently in these races, always being at the front of the group and remain calm. ... Really for this race, and the coming week, you need to have a little bit of good luck, or at least not have any bad luck."

Read:
Hot Favorite Ballan, 28 March

Liquigas Line-Up in País Vasco

Danilo Di Luca and Stefano Garzelli will lead the Liquigas charge in Saturday's GP Miguel Indurain and next week's Vuelta Ciclista al País Vasco. Remember that it was in País Vasco where The Killer laid down the foundations for his successful 2005 season, which included the overall ProTour classification.

"This year I'm focusing on my participation in the Giro d'Italia," said Di Luca. "My form is not at a high level like it was last year, but I will try my best and honor this great race that I love so much."

Attention should really be shifted over to Stefano Garzelli. The past Giro champion has finished well in all of the races so far this season, including an amazing sprint in the Milano-Sanremo to finish seventh. Il Varesino won the GP Miguel Indurain in 1999 and took two stages in the País Vasco (in 1999 and 2001). The tifosi and BiciRace.com will be pulling for a Garzelli victory in Navarra or País Vasco.

Liquigas Line-up for GP Big Mig and País Vasco:
Stefano Garzelli, The Killer, Dario Cioni, Vladimir Miholjevic, Matej Mugerli, Andrea Noè, Alessandro Spezialetti, and Charles Wegelius.

Lars Bak with Broken Ribs

Lars Bak (Team CSC) has been dealing with a lot of pain since his crash in Tirreno-Adriatico, and on Monday an examination in Luxembourg revealed four broken ribs. The Dane will now face some time off the bike before and away from the racing action.

"I've had quite a lot of pains... Just to be sure, I underwent an examination when I got back to Luxembourg, and now I know why I was in so much pain for the past couple of weeks," said Danish road champion Bak. "I can still work out on my home trainer, but I'm not racing for a while, as I can feel every little bump in the road, and it would be too dangerous to crash again with four broken ribs. Now I'm taking a break and slowly start to rebuild my form. I hope to be back on the road in about 10 days."

Read:
Lars Bak Confident Before Classics, 21 March

28 March News ...