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15 May 2006

16 May News ...

Basso: Viva la Giornata

"Sastre did great work today. Extraordinary. He could ride for the classification himself, but instead is working for me. I feel honored. "I am content with today. I was not really thinking about the overall GC today. Viva la giornata. The next days will be different, and then the last week will make the real difference."

"All of the favorites are still here. Today I did not really do anything particular, but it was a good ride. My teammates did huge work before the climb of Lanciano, and then Sastre did amazing work on the climb. I have such trust in these riders."

What were you thinking when Damiano Cunego attacked at four kilometers to go? "I did not think much at all," continued il Varesino. "I saw that Sastre was not there, so I continued with my rhythm. As a rider I am not able to put in the first attacks, because I am not a pure climber. I will wait for someone else to attack first, or follow the work of my teammates."

"I really don't win that many races, so this is nice. The team time trial gave me a grand joy, because it is our team's specialty, and it proves our staff and team are strong. And then today, it was something even greater."

After Sunday's win Basso took the overall race leader's pink jersey, and the green mountain jersey: "I am happy with the Maglia Rosa. I could not win the stage without taking the jersey, so it was that way, and now I have the jersey. Last year it was like this, taking the jersey early, and then you all know the hard day I had. So I am not really thinking of the Maglia Rosa yet."

Did you think a lot about the time gains over the others? "Today I made my own race, not really worrying about my rivals, but it was good to put time into them." But what do you think of José Enrique Gutierrez (Phonak)? "I don't know him very well, but he impressed me after the team time trial performance. And then today, he is still there."

Ullrich finished at 16'04" today ... "He is going strong. I see him going stronger every day," said Basso on his biggest Tour de France rival. "It is clear Jan came here just to get condition for the Tour. He is doing preparation work, so his form will come. ... I think that Pontedera will be a time trial for him, it is a crono that will require lots of force. Well suited for Ullrich."

"I had to go at my limits to get the win," continued Basso. "I have made many sacrifices, like all the riders, and even my family, so a win is nice. My father did 15 hours of work a day. I too am a hard worker. I always have been since the junior ranks. This is Ivan Basso. There are other big problems in life, but this is beautiful!"

89th Giro d'Italia, 6 - 28 May
Main, Startlist, Classifications, Giro Favorites
Stages and Maps, Key Stages, Overall Map
Photos, The Dust Devil's Daily Wrap
Aaron Olson and Saunier Duval-Prodir Updates
2005 Giro d'Italia

Danielson is Managing Pressure

BiciRace.com had a chance to speak with Tom Danielson (Discovery) before the start of stage 8, after the previous long day to Saltara. "It was a shock yesterday," said the American of the finish to Saltara. "It was the first real hard day, and an unknown day for me... The stage I feared the most."

Durango Danielson had previewed all the big mountain stages of the 2006 Giro d'Italia, but stage 7 was left uncovered. "I went and had a look at all of those stages in the north. Mortirolo, Plan de Corones, ... . But the stage yesterday was not really one for my style, and that is why I was worried. I go better on longer climbs."

Congratulations, you are really showing yourself well. How are you managing the pressure of the Giro? "It is fine," continued Danielson. "I am really putting aside any pressure on myself and concentrating on keeping Savoldelli protected and up front. I am learning all I can this year and in the future I will be able to ride my own race for the GC."

Tom, remember to call your mom. It is Mother's Day! "Thanks! The days run together here. I forgot it was Sunday."

Il Falco Loses Time

"The Giro is not done here," said Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) on Sunday with a far-away look in his eyes. The Italian was dropped on the Passo Lanciano in stage 8 of the Giro d'Italia. "I was in crisis for the final, but thanks to Danielson, who pulled me back. He looked great. Very strong."

"Now I look to arrive strong in the Pontedera crono, and then to have more gas in the tank for the last week. From there I will think about the podium in Milano."

"Basso went strong today," said il Bergamasco of his rival. "He was stronger than the rest. ... Sure it was a lot of time that I lost, but the day went the way it went."

Not Bad for Cunego

Damiano Cunego made the race when he put in his attack at four kilometers to go in stage 8 of the 2006 Giro d'Italia. "I tried. Then after Basso went, I rode at my own pace," explained il Veronese who finished second at 30" back. "Basso was going very strong. The day was not bad for me. The last week will be very hard. But again, today I did not do too bad."

Riis Considers Basso Brilliant

"Sastre was truly strong today, going so strong in the legs," said CSC Team Manager, Bjarne Riis, after stage 8 of the Giro d'Italia. Carlos Sastre did tremendous work to ensure victory for the team's captain, Ivan Basso.

"Ivan did not really attack today, just riding a really high rhythm, and he proved himself to be really strong," continued Riis. "He is brilliant, it was not an arrival for him but he proved his strength."

Is the Giro finished now? "No, no. It starts now!"

The Killer Misses at Home

Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas) had hope for something better on stage 8, a course which was run on his training roads. "The adversaries went really strong," said the Killer after finishing 1'32" behind Ivan Basso. "But I am arriving. Today it was important that I arrived when I did, but I still need to save myself for the last week. I am satisfied. I was not at the top, but with the best."

14 May News ...