BiciRace.com :: News :: April 2006

News :: April 2006

12 April 2006

Improvements for Saul Raisin

Raisin with Wiggins in Milano, photo: BiciRace.com

Saul Raisin (23), still in a coma, is showing signs of improvements. "Saul has had a good day, responding to questions about events and people and things from his past by squeezing his parents' hands," reported his website. "He was also able to move all of his fingers and toes."

L'Americano rider of Crédit Agricole crashed last week in the Circuit de la Sarthe (4 April) and then faced emergency surgery two days later to remove pressure to his brain caused by an erupted hematoma. Raisin is ahead of schedule in coming out of his coma, and doctors are upbeat due to his responses, which indicate less risk of his body being paralyzed.

BiciRace.com urges you to think positive for Saul and his family.

Read:
Saul Raisin Update: Coma but Living, 8 April
Saul Raisin is in Stable Condition, 6 April
Crash-Fest in Sarthe: Raisin, Lancaster, Dominguez and Farrar, 5 April

Laszlo Bodrogi Prepares for Hour Record

Laszlo Bodrogi (Crédit Agricole), who will attempt the Hour Record at the end of this season, is starting his preparations in the wind tunnel. The Hungarian cyclist (29) will commence training this Thursday in Saint-Cyr-l'École, west of Paris.

Bodrogi will test himself on the Bordeaux track 20 April, which is the tentative location for his hour attempt. For the two days on the track the man of crono-speed will test various wheels and bike positions.

Since last July the Hour Record has stood at 49.700K when Ondrej Sosenka (Acqua & Sapone), on a track in Moscow, smashed the previous record. The Czech (30), as per UCI regulations, made his test on a 'standard' frame provided by Moser in Carbon. Bodrogi is expected to have a new 'standard' Look bike ready by 20 April, which he can then train with until his fall attempt.

Good luck to Bodrogi! BiciRace.com loves these Hour Record attempts and we hope to see riders like Jan Ullrich and Ivan Basso give it a try.

Read:
Laszlo Bodrogi for Hour Record, 27 January
Ondrej Sosenka and Acqua & Sapone Update, 19 December
50K/hr for Ondrej Sosenka in 2006, 21 October
Ondrej Sosenka Breaks Boardman's Hour Record, 20 July

Hincapie and Steels Injury Update

George Hincapie (Discovery Channel), who dramatically crashed out of Sunday's Paris-Roubaix, has fractured his shoulder. Surgery has been scheduled for the 32 year-old American, who has now returned to the United States.

The doctors will require a three week stop for Hincapie while his shoulder heals, which will slightly delay his preparations for the Tour de France in July. The American will form part of a three-headed Disco beast at La Grand Boucle: Hincapie, Popovych and Savoldelli will captain the Discovery Channel team in the first year without Armstrong.

Tom Steels (Davitamon-Lotto), also a victim of Sunday's pavé, will face an operation on his fractured left collarbone tomorrow. The Belgian sprinter (34) hopes to return to competition by the end of June.

Read:
Hincapie and Steels Crash Out, 10 April

Italian Champion Gasparotto Races

Gasparotto in 2005, photo: Capture-The -Peloton.com

Italian Champion Enrico Gasparotto returns to racing today in the 94th Scheldeprijs Vlaanderen (200K, Belgium). After being knocked-out all winter by mononucleosis, the Italian will finally be able to show off his tricolore jersey in 2006. "Now I am ready to start racing, the maglia needs a little airing," said the 24 year-old.

Gasparotto contracted mononucleosis last November, and now has finally put the illness behind him, aided by training and a team camp in Salsomaggiore (Emilia-Romagna). "From the first of February I was healthy, but it has been a matter of building up my base. The first race will be a test to see how I am doing with my training."

The Italian champion will continue racing tomorrow in Belgium with the GP de Denain, and then will return to Italy for the Giro dell'Appennino (23 April), Tour de Romandie (Switzerland, 25 - 30 April) and Volta Ciclista a Catalunya (Spain, 15 - 21 May). "I will try to be competitive in the easier stages, and then in Catalunya, where I won a stage last year, maybe I can repeat."

Gasparotto will seek to defend his champion's jersey on 25 June, and then look forward to debuting in the Tour de France. BiciRace.com wishes Enrico the best with the start of his season.

Read:
Gasparotto Shifts Start Back, 24 January
Gasparotto Interview, Il Campione Italiano, 10 January
Gasparotto with Mononucleosis and Pellizotti with Fracture, 2 December
Enrico Gasparotto Looks Good in Tricolore, 28 July
Enrico Gasparotto Is The New Italian National Champion, 27 June

Santuario della Madonna del Ghisallo Reopened

Santuario della Madonna del Ghisallo, photo: BiciRace.com

The Santuario della Madonna del Ghisallo will open again this Easter weekend. The chapel underwent restoration over the last three months to repair damage to the roof and walls that was brought by freezing rain and snow over the winter.

The hallowed grounds are popular among cycling enthusiasts, who can give respects to the past champions and to the patron saint of cyclists. Its location, above Bellagio (Lombardia), is an ideal place to have lunch and take in the views after a grueling climb on your bike.

This Sunday, Easter, will be the official reopening ceremonies. If you are in the area you can also take part in the 29th Rosa del Ghisallo, a ride for cycling enthusiasts.

Read:
Santuario della Madonna del Ghisallo Closed, 19 January
Marco Pinotti Donates Italian TT Jersey to Ghisallo, 9 December

11 April News ...