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13 April 2006

14 April News ...

Sánchez Optimistic for Ardennes

Euskaltel-Euskadi, led by Samuel Sánchez, will head a powerful contingent to the Amstel Gold Race (16 April), Flèche Wallonne (19) and Liège-Bastogne-Liège (23). Supporting Sánchez will be his right hand man, Iban Mayo, as well as Iker Camaño, Unai Etxebarria, Aitor Hernández, Iñaki Flores, Joseba Albizu and Andoni Aranaga

Samuel Sánchez, who convincingly won two stages of the recently completed Vuelta al País Vasco, had this to say, "I have very good form right now as I have shown with my performance in the recent Vuelta al País Vasco. The parcours of these three races (Amstel, Flèche Wallonne and Liège) adapt well to my physical characteristics, which I'll use to try for the win. When one has good form and good morale, anything is possible."
- Paco

Read:
Cool Headed Samuel Sánchez, 6 April
Sensational Sánchez Takes Over Valverde in País Vasco, 5 April

Change of Plans for Euskaltel-Euskadi

The cancellation of the Vuelta a Aragón, which was to run 12 - 16 April, has forced the Euskaltel-Euskadi to modify their training somewhat. The EE boys had planned to use the Spanish appointment as a way to refine their form for the upcoming Giro d'Italia.

La squadra naranja (orange squadra), as they are known in their homeland, has instead opted to stay local and train on the demanding terrain of the Basque Country. The team had apparently held a similar camp in Benidorm, Spain recently and was so satisfied with the results of that concentration that team management has decided to do it again. The other motive was the overwhelming popularity of the Euskaltel boys shown by the Basque public. Team management felt this would be great motivation to get their boys ready for la Corsa Rosa.

Attending the camp will be Iker Flores, Anton Luengo, Ivan Mayoz, Koldo Fernández, Beñat Albizuri, Unai Uribarri, Rubén Pérez, Iban Iriondo, Gorka Verdugo, Markel Irizar, Roberto Laiseka and David López García. If you find yourself in the Basque Country and see a large orange and blue group streak by, it's probably the Euskaltel-Euskadi boys.
- Paco

Read:
Setmana Catalana de Ciclisme and Vuelta a Aragón Canceled, 26 January
Euskaltel-Euskadi and Laiseka Prepare, 7 January

Rebellin Rambles on with Fractured Rib

Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) has hopes of starting in Sunday's Amstel Gold Race despite a fractured rib. The Italian, who won the Dutch classic in 2004, might find the racing this year difficult due to the injury sustained in stage 4 of the Vuelta Ciclista al País Vasco.

"I felt bad after the crash," explained the 34 year-old rider from Veneto. "Then, on Monday this week, I felt some pains and difficulty breathing, so I went to the doctor for a medical check and they diagnosed a fractured rib. ... I will keep on training... I am in form and if possible I will race Amstel."

Boonen Bounces Back with Scheldeprijs Vlaanderen Win

Tornado Tom Boonen (Quick-Step) has bounced back from his disappointment in Paris-Roubaix and ended his spring campaign on a high note, by winning the 94th Scheldeprijs Vlaanderen. The Belgian won the sprint in front of teammate Steven De Jongh and Gert Steegmans (Davitamon-Lotto) after 200K of racing.

"I am very content, strangely enough I recuperated better after Paris-Roubaix than I did after Flanders, maybe it was the celebratory beer I drank Tuesday at Hulsmans birthday," joked the 25 year-old World Champion, who finished second in Roubaix but won the in the Tour of Flanders the week before.

"We talked about this race beforehand, how important it would be to leave a good signal in my last race of the early spring." Boonen, 13 victories so far this year, will now take a small break, skipping the remaining Classics, like the Amstel Gold Race. "Now I will go on a nice vacation. Then I will start to think of preparing for the Tour de France while in Tenerife [Canary Islands], and then back to Monte Carlo," finished Boonen, who will start racing again on 24 May in the Tour of Belgium.

Gasparotto Goes well in 2006 Debut

Italian Champion Enrico Gasparotto (Liquigas) finished sixth in his season debut at the 94th Scheldeprijs Vlaanderen. The 23 year-old held-tight when Quick-Step imposed an infernal rhythm after only 20 kilometers of racing, and was one of 22 riders who went on to finish the race.

Gasparotto, who suffered all winter from mononucleosis, will take part in a Belgian race today, the GP de Denain, before coming back to Italy for the Giro dell'Appennino (23 April).

Read:
Italian Champion Gasparotto Races, 12 April

Van Petegem Fractures Collarbone but Courted by Quick-Step

Peter Van Petegem (36), who crashed and fractured his right collarbone in yesterday's Scheldeprijs Vlaanderen, has been in talks with Patrick Lefevere of Quick-Step. The Belgian's contract with Davitamon-Lotto expires at the end of this year, and even though he is getting long in the tooth he is still one heck of a strong rider, as witnessed by strong rides in the Ronde Van Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix.

The transfer would be interesting: having two of the greatest modern Flemish riders in the same Quick-Step squadra, which could only happen thanks to Lefevere, who was the mastermind behind the dominant Mapei squadra.

Time will tell if an agreement comes to fruit. We wish Van Petegem the best as he recovers from his injury and contemplates his new offers.

Races for Giro-Bound Petacchi

Alessandro Petacchi (Milram), after returning from an unsuccessful northern campaign, will start racing on Monday in Germany. Lo Spezzino will start in the Rund um Köln (17 April), followed by the Oddset-Rundfahrt (19 - 23 April). Contrary to last year, it is likely that Petacchi will not use the Tour de Romandie (25 - 30 April) to prepare for the Giro d'Italia, starting 6 May.

Read:
Bartoli on Northern Petacchi, 7 April
Delusional Petacchi, 6 April
Petacchi's Last Northern Stop, 5 April
Let Down for Petacchi, 3 April

12 April News ...