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4 April 2006

5 April News ...

Valverde and Freire - Head to Head

Yesterday's stage 1 of the País Vasco came down to a head to head sprint, with Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears) getting the better of fellow Spaniard Oscar Freire (Rabobank). The stage covered many Altos, including the Alto de Jaizkibel, which is used in the finish of the Clásica San Sebastián, before the tight two-up sprint in Irún.

"To beat to a three-time World Champion, like Freire, in the sprint is a dream," said Valverde after taking the stage and GC overall. "I am satisfied with what the team has done in this first stage. We will take it day by day to see what is possible. I saw lots of strong riders on the climb of Jaizkibel, but I think I responded well and now we will wait until stage two, which will determine a lot for the overall classification."

Today's stage 2 will be one of the hardest of the Vuelta, in addition there will be the 24K time trial on the final day for Valverde to handle if he is to keep his leader's jersey.

"I am a little disappointed with losing by such a small margin," said Spaniard Freire after finishing second. "Opportunities like today you have to take advantage of. Valverde was the strongest rider. I do not want to make any excuses. I finished second, and Valverde has earned his first."

Freire's form is looking red-hot for the upcoming stages, which do not suit his style so much, and the following Ardennes Classics. The Spaniard will make his return to the north to vie for victory in his Dutch team's home race, the Amstel Gold.

País Vasco According to Beloki

Joseba Beloki (Liberty Seguros-Würth) made his 2006 debut last weekend in the GP Miguel Indurain, and yesterday started his second race of the year, the Vuelta Ciclista al País Vasco. His goal is to use the early races to build form for May's Giro d'Italia and July's Tour de France, where he will support the team's new hire, Alexander Vinokourov.

"This year in general it is probably not as tough as other seasons, but the race has two very hard initial stages, particularly the second one, which will be very selective," said Beloki of today's País Vasco stage to Segura, after 155K and twelve categorized climbs.

"I expect to have an ideal level here, after abandoning in 2003," continued an upbeat Beloki. "Now I want to take advantage of my form to lend a hand to other teammates with chances for victory: [Alberto] Contador, Aitor Osa and [David] Etxebarria. I hope that my work will be useful, and for that to be the case I have to be up front."

Beloki then tipped his the danger-men for the six-day stage race: "For me, [Stefano] Garzelli and [Danilo] Di Luca, as they come here very motivated. And also the Euskaltel rider, Samuel Sánchez, who wants to reverse what happened in the Paris-Nice, plus Illes Balears, though for me the big favorites are Aitor Osa, Contador and [Fränk] Schleck.

Read:
Beloki Debuts in Indurain, 1 April
Joseba Beloki Interview, From Tour de France Podium and Back, 25 April

Rujano Back in Italia

José Rujano has returned to Italy. The Venezuelan will meet with Selle Italia-Serramenti Diquigiovanni Team Manager, Gianni Savio, to return his bike and other kit. The two, along with Rujano's manager Giuseppe Acquadro, fell into disagreement over the winter, at the same time that the rider signed with Patrick Lefevere at Quick-Step. "Rujano will never race again with Selle Italia," said Acquadro in February.

Rujano is unlikely to race at all until June 1, when his new contract starts with Quick-Step. The original plan of Lefevere was to have the little Venezuelan ride the Tour de France and Vuelta a España, but it seems probable he will skip July's event because his form will not be on par.

Our little South American friend set the Giro d'Italia on fire in 2005: Finishing in third overall, with a stage conquest at Sestriere (over the epic Colle delle Finestre) and the overall Maglia Verde. Bravo Rujano! We hope to see you on the road again soon.

Quick-Step Takes the Classics

Filippo Pozzato in the Milano-Sanremo and Tom Boonen in the Tour of Flanders, Patrick Lefevere can be very proud of his Belgian squadra for conquering the first two major classics of the 2006 season.

The Quick-Step domination was not only because of the Pippo and Tornado Tom, but a strong supporting squadra reminiscent of Lefevere's days at Mapei. "We have put together a good and professional organization: from the director sportifs, to the mechanics, and to the office personnel," explained the Belgian Quick-Step Manager. "The rest is left up to the riders, all of whom have a strong desire to win. They understand that they need to be united to win, like at Sanremo and then at Flanders, where Bettini, Baguet and Pozzato did incredible work for Boonen's success. It is proof that our system is working."

The days of Mapei don't seem so long ago after witnessing Quick-Step's recent domination. Remember in 1996 that it was Patrick Lefevere who guided his multi-colored boys, Museeuw, Bortolami and Tafi, to a 1-2-3 victory in the Paris-Roubaix. Today that same style comes through, partly thanks to the former Mapei riders, Bettini and Pozzato.

"It is not a problem for me to work for Pozzato or Boonen," explained Paolo Bettini. "I was raised at Mapei, where there were often more than three champions on the same team for a race. There are chances for all of us. It is good for Patrick, to help him find the money that is needed for the team and to pay contracts.

Look for Lefevere's boys to shine again in this Sunday's Paris-Roubaix. A possible 1-2-3? It is very unlikely, but history does tend to repeat itself. Stay tuned.

Read:
Quick-Step with Cards to Play in De Ronde, 31 March
Pippo Holds and Wins a Grand Classic, 19 March

Wevelgem for Paolini

Luca Paolini (Liquigas) had a bit of bad luck in the Tour of Flanders on Sunday. Il Milanese punctured on the descent of the Kwaremont, causing him to lose position in the peloton as they spread on towards the Paterberg and Koppenberg.

"I'm sorry because the Ronde was very appealing to me, and I've been training for it since November," said the 29 year-old Liquigas rider. "But when you ride on the bergs you know physical fitness isn't all: it's also a matter of luck. This is part of the charm of this race, which is a little cruel at times. I will search for revenge in next Wednesday's Gent-Wevelgem."

The same team that was at De Ronde, will line up for tomorrow's Gent-Wevelgem: Luca Paolini, Stefano Zanini, Michael Albasini, Daniele Colli, Alberto Curtolo, Mauro Da Dalto, Marco Milesi and Marco Righetto.

Read:
Paolini Leads Gassy Green Team, 28 March
Paolini Feels for Ronde Van Vlaanderen, 22 March
Un Bravo Paolini Targets One-Day Races, 31 January

Dario Pieri Retires from Cycling

"It is useless to go on... getting up in the morning without any desire to even pedal," explained Dario Pieri, who recently retired from Team LPR. The squadra hired Pieri for the current Classics campaign, but the Fiorentino has seemingly lost all love for race and pavé and will not continue.

"I am fed up with the bike and with cycling," continued Pieri (30). "I am sorry for this current situation, I talked with the management and expressed my desires, thanking them for their trust in me. But I feel I can't honor their expectations and it is better to leave."

Any chance of returning to cycling? "Absolutely no. I will return to a normal life." Will you watch this Sunday's Paris-Roubaix? "I might not even watch it on TV." Dario Pieri is now retired.

Read:
Dario Pieri Retires?, 1 April
Team LPR to Paris-Roubaix, 13 February
Team LPR and Pieri at Camp, 13 January
Pieri to LPR for 2005 remainder, 5 August

3 April News ...