BiciRace.com :: News :: April 2006

News :: April 2006

17 April 2006

Golden Damiano Cunego at Giro d'Oro

Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Fondital) conquered the Giro d'Oro, his second victory in the race and second victory of the season after the Coppi e Bartali. Yesterday's 192K Italian race confirmed Cunego's form for the upcoming Giro d'Italia, starting 6 May.

Lampre-Fondital worked flawlessly to deliver Il Piccolo Principe to the finale, where on the last climb he put in the death-blow. At 400 meters to the finish in Fiavè Cunego attacked and left behind Giuseppe Palumbo (Acqua & Sapone) and Luca Mazzanti (Panaria-Navigare) in his wake. Il Piccolo Principe crossed the line with arms in the air and looking towards la Corsa Rosa.

"Last week at the Klasika Primavera the victory slipped away from Damiano," said Team DS Giuseppe Martinelli. "This time he hit his target. It was great work by the team that put Damiano in the winning position for the finale. It is all very good in view of the upcoming Giro d'Italia."

Cunego will travel to Belgium later this week for the start of Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Sunday.

Read:
Cunego for Oro and Trentino, 15 April
Coppi e Bartali: First Win of 2006 for Cunego, 24 March

Fränk Schleck is Big Time

Schleck launches at -9K, photo: FSA

Fränk Schleck (26) scored a big one yesterday in Holland's Beer Race, the 41st Amstel Gold. Team CSC had two men in the mix after the decisive split on the Keutenberg, near 13K remaining. Both Fränk Schleck and Karsten Kroon made the move and were able to benefit from their numbers.

Schleck, who celebrated his birthday on Saturday, bolted free with nine kilometers to go, leaving Kroon behind to cover the favorites who tried to chase. The Luxemburger cranked out an infernal rhythm and held a gap near 20" all the way to the line in Valkenburg.

"It is an incredible joy," said an emotional Schleck after taking his biggest victory to date. "I still don't believe that I have won such an important race. Before now I have only won smaller races, but this time it all went perfectly."

Fränk Schleck Wins 41st Beer Race, photo: FSA

"This is such a great moment for me. I've been close so many times before, but have often lacked that last bit of luck. Today I was up front again and was lucky enough to have Karsten Kroon providing me with invaluable help. Winning the Amstel Gold Race is a big deal and I would like to thank the entire team," continued a teary Schleck.

Team Manager, Bjarne Riis, was thrilled with his squadra who have now won two classics in a row. Last week Riis guided Fabian Cancellara to victory on the pavé in Paris-Roubaix, and yesterday it was Schleck taking the win over the bergs of the Amstel Gold. "To win is never easy but we knew we had an optimum squadra with Kroon and Schleck. They worked very well and scored yet another important victory this season for the squadra," said Riis.

A Spectacular Amstel Thanks to Bettini

Bravo to Paolo Bettini (Quick-Step) who helped make the 2006 Amstel Gold Race a spectacular day in cycling. Il Grillo Livornese can always be counted upon to stir up a race: resulting in the final selection or a win. Yesterday Bettini's actions helped make the decisive escape group, but unfortunately did not provide a win.

"I tried and gave it my all," said the Olympic Champion. "I really like this course and it would be a nice pearl to add to my collection... But I have yet to be able to win this race. ... I felt good legs, they were turning well in the finale but no one else wanted to pull."

"The condition is there and it is a good sign in light of the upcoming races: Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. I am going for Liège, it is my race. After 2000 and 2002 ... I will take it this year."

Dai Bettini! Thanks for making cycling so spectacular.

Amstel Gold Race, 16 April, 253.1K, Dutch One-Day Classic
Main Page, Overall Map, Profile, Startlist
Report and Results, Photos
2005 Results

Update on Aussie Lancaster

Lancaster at 2005 Giro, photo: Panaria-Navigare

Aussie Brett Lancaster, who crashed in stage 1 of the Circuit de la Sarthe, is passing the time at his European-base in Pistoia (Toscana) while recovering from a fractured collarbone. "[It is] just a pain in the ass sitting around the house with great form wasting away," said the 26 year-old Panaria-Navigare rider when BiciRace.com checked-in. "My collarbone is broken into four bits... I had a plate put in."

Are you already on the trainer? "No, not yet, I have three weeks in a sling... Can't do a thing, three months of no racing." This means that Lancaster will be missing the Giro d'Italia, where last year he wore the prized Maglia Rosa after a storming prologue ride. "That's bike racing...," said the Aussie.

Lancaster's time at home is helping him focus on his wife, who is expecting a baby in October. BiciRace.com wishes the Aussie couple the best.

Read:
Sarthe: Basso, Grillo and Lancaster, 6 April
Crash-Fest in Sarthe: Raisin, Lancaster, Dominguez and Farrar, 5 April

Giro Rabobank with Mauricio Ardila Cano

Columbian Mauricio Ardila Cano will captain the orange Rabobank squadra for the Giro d'Italia. The 26 year-old, who was signed from Davitamon-Lotto over the winter, will be joined by Graeme Brown, Alexandr Kolobnev, Theo Eltink, Grischa Niermann, Marc Wauters, Marc De Maar, Mathew Hayman and Michael Rasmussen.

The Dane, Rasmussen, who is another climbing talent like Ardila, could vie for one of the many mountain stages in the final week of the Giro. However, Rasmussen has made it clear that his major goal will be in July with the Tour de France.

Read:
Rasmussen for Giro d'Italia, 7 April
Mauricio Ardila Cano for Rabobank Giro, 23 December
Mauricio Ardila Cano to Rabobank, 6 December

15 April News ...