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20 April 2006

21 April News ...

Valverde Fires Wallonne Arrow

Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears) added a huge Classic win to his palmarès by winning yesterday's 70th Flèche Wallonne in Belgium. The 25 year-old Spaniard, who will turn 26 this Tuesday, was crowned king of the Mur de Huy after a fist-fight on the slopes, with sections of 19%.

The final ascent of Huy was really a Spanish affair: first with Koldo Gil (Saunier Duval-Prodir) and Igor Astarloa (Barloworld), followed by David Etxebarria (Liberty Seguros-Würth) and Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi). But it was Valverde who ruled the wall of Huy, where the slopes allow for no bluffing, making his move ever so slowly in the final 100 meters.

"This race was not my passion. It was my DS, Eusebio Unzúe, who changed my mentality towards Flèche," explained the Spaniard after the win. "Last year was my first time in the north, and I arrived too tired. But this year I arrived to have a little condition here and then also for the Tour de France in July. It was a shame at Amstel, because I had the form but in the end I had a hunger crisis."

"This victory has a special savor," continued Valverde. "Before the race I went and studied the Mur de Huy because it was only my second time to race here. After two seconds in the World Championships I understood that I could win a Classic.

Now Valverde will line up this weekend as the hot favorite over the côtes of Liège-Bastogne-Liège, "Sunday I will arrive with the same condition, and with a lot more motivation. It will be important to manage the distance to avoid a crisis like at Amstel."

La Flèche Wallonne, 19 April, 202K, The Mur de Huy Classic
Main Page, Overall Map, Zoom, Profile, Startlist
Report and Results, Photos
2005 Results

Liège-Bastogne-Liège, 23 April, 262K, The Ardennes Classic
Main Page, Overall Map, Profile, Startlist
Report and Results, Photos
2005 Results

CSC Axis: Basso, Kroon and Schleck

Ivan Basso formed part of a strong axis for Team CSC by aiding Karsten Kroon and Fränk Schleck to the foot of the Mur de Huy in yesterday's Flèche Wallonne. Kroon finished third at the end of the 202K Belgian Classic, and Schleck, winner of the Amstel Gold, finished right behind in fourth. It was a good day out for the Danish Squadra.

"On the Côte de Ahin [at -12.5K] I was with Kessler, Astarloa and Bettini, but on the last climb I was finished," said Basso, who ended the day 32nd at 53". "So I tried to do all I could to aid Schleck. I believe that he deserves the assistance. I raced for the others, but Sunday at Liège it could be different.

Il Varesino will line up for the most famous of the Ardennes Classics, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, this Sunday. The course will take the riders over 262 kilometers, from Liège to Ans (Liège), and a boat-load of côtes.

Read:
Schleck and Kroon Backed by Basso, 19 April
Basso in Belgium Racing and Reconnoitering, 18 April

Cunego Betters Simoni for Trentino Victory

Yesterday was an exciting day for racing, shortly before Valverde scored a Classic win in Belgium, Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Fondital) out-gunned his former teammate, Gilberto Simoni (Saunier Duval-Prodir). Il Piccolo Principe (24) controlled the affairs in yesterday's stage 2 of the Giro del Trentino, resulting in a stage win, ahead of Gibo, and the GC lead.

"I really did not know who was on my wheel in the sprint," explained Cunego after beating his old captain in the finish. "We [Lampre-Fondital] did a huge amount of work to control the race on the descent to Cles. I used all I had, a 53x11, as we were flying down the hill... It was like we were the train of Petacchi."

Cunego's form looks red-hot, just like two years ago when he won the Giro del Trentino before going on to win the Giro d'Italia. "I feel great, better than 2004. I am content because on the climb I did not panic, knowing that in the descent it would be enough to have four or five curves to recuperate any lost distance. I had to respond to many attacks on the climb, like responding to many of the questions of the journalists [laughs]."

The Lampre leader looks on track for a great Giro, but he is keeping one eye on a fit looking Simoni, saying that for la Corsa Rosa "it will be us three: Me, Simoni and Basso."

The Giro del Trentino continues today with Cunego in the leader's jersey. The peloton will face 168.8 kilometers in stage 3 from Romeno to Tione di Trento.

Read:
Cunego vs. Simoni in Trentino, 18 April
Golden Damiano Cunego at Giro d'Oro, 17 April
Cunego for Oro and Trentino, 15 April
Coppi e Bartali: First Win of 2006 for Cunego, 24 March

Popovych Pounds Rivals

Yaroslav Popovych (Discovery Channel) hammered his rivals in a Ukrainian/Italian cold-blooded fashion: jamming free in stage 2 of the Tour of Georgia with less than one kilometer remaining to the finish in Rome while the others were left hesitating. It is this type of risky and gutsy move that wins races, a move that was surely appreciated by retired cycling all-star, Lance Armstrong, who was on hand in Georgia.

"It wasn't really the plan today, but it was, as we were moving along. I felt that I could do what I did, so I talked to my teammates, and I said I'm going to go, and they said 'go for it.' That's how it happened today," said Popo (26), born in Dragobych (Ukraine) but lives in Poggio a Caiano (Toscana) with his wife Cindy Maria.

The Ukrainians's move gained enough time to put him in the leader's yellow jersey, which he will wear in today's 39.9K time trial to Chattanooga. "Tomorrow and the following day will be very tough days, especially stage 3 being that it is the time trial. I think we have a strong team, and I don't think we will worry too much about who is going to be the leader right now."

Bravo Popovych for making turning a 'sprint stage' inside-out!

2006 Tour of Georgia, 18 - 23 April
Main, Overall Map, Photos

Armstrong Runs Streets of New York City

Yesterday Signor 7X, Lance Armstrong, announced that he will race in the New York City Marathon this fall (5 November). The retired World Champion will mix it on the streets of New York City, rekindling the days of old when he would compete in triathlons.

"I've been training some, but I wouldn't call it serious. It's just something to fill a void in my life after I quit competing as a professional cyclist," said Armstrong. The Texan could face an old Tour de France rival in New York, Laurent Jalabert. Jaja ran the marathon last year, finishing in 2:55'39", slightly off the pace of winner Paul Tergat, at 2:09'30", but Tergat has never conquered the cols of France. Tex may go faster than Jaja, give his background in running... stay tuned.

Read:
Armstrong on Cancer and Ullrich, 19 January
Matt Damon as Lance Armstrong, 16 January
Armstrong Strong at Team Camp, 12 December

19 April News ...