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19 May 2006

20 May News ...

Ullrich with Bella Victory

Jan Ullrich of T-Mobile pulled out one bella victory: winning stage 11 of the 2006 Giro d'Italia from Pontedera and back, via Pisa. With the win the German proved that he is on the right course for his Tour de France preparations. "I was very happy with how the race went," said a relaxed looking Ullrich in Pontedera. "I was able to ride at my own tempo over the parcours. The win is a good sign for the Tour de France."

Before you indicated that you only wanted to ride this time trial for training. When did you change your mind? "At the start of the day I did not expect to win," continued Ullrich. "I thought Basso was the favorite for the day. I expected Basso to win the stage."

BiciRace.com tipped Ulle to win the stage, and we are also tipping him to pick-off a mountain stage. The German's legs seem to be turning with new found enthusiasm, and he assured us that his knee problems are behind him.

Is this win in anyway a response to those negative comments that Bjarne Riis made about you? "This win is a great moment. I am still not in 100% form. To win any stage in the Giro d'Italia is very thrilling, it is one of the biggest and hardest races in the world. It makes me very proud. This win shows that I am going good for the Tour de France. Regarding Riis, I have talked with him and we are fine with each other. There is really nothing more to say on the subject."

Ullrich seems to be fighting off his former teammate, Riis, now Team Manager of CSC, in the best way: by winning. The German restated that this was in no way a response to any critics, but it doesn't hurt. "It was no answer to the criticism. It only shows that I am on the right path in my training. There are no problems with anyone in the peloton."

If you are not on 100% form, how will you know when you are on form? "Today I felt good and after the first time check I decided to give it a full effort for a win," explained Ullrich. Confirming BiciRace.com's predictions, the German continues, "There are some stages that I have marked to go hard and there are the others where I just plan to take it easy. Above all I am here for training. This race is a beautiful race, but unfortunately I am only here to prepare for the Tour de France."

Look for more Ulle wins on stages 12, 13 and 18. We think that these stages could suit his legs and new found mental strength!

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

Basso Rides with Confidence

"This ride gives me a confidence," said a confident Ivan Basso (Team CSC) in Pontedera after finishing second to Ullrich, at 28". "In the crono I kept track of the other classification riders, but not Ullrich."

Basso is looking stronger and stronger every day, more and more like a possible Giro-Tour winner. He speaks with great and newly found confidence at the press conferences: a sign of a champion. "I am taking the Giro d'Italia day by day. I believe that I did a great crono, more than I thought I would do today."

"My thoughts on the other riders... Look, it is normal that the climbers lose time on a course like this... I have not seen the final times, because I have been in interviews and doping controls, but I would not be so surprised with time losses. It is normal for riders, who weigh less, like Cunego, Di Luca and Simoni, to lose time to riders like Ullrich and myself."

Basso is beaming with self trust but will not admit it, "Now all has gone well, but I will continue with attention because I could lose time in the last week. I lost an hour in one stage last year, so I am remaining calm and not getting very excited over my current lead in the general classification. The Giro could be won in a small amount of seconds. I will do all I can every day to get the time. It could be important at the end of the Giro, so I have to always be attentive."

Every day Ivan Basso becomes more recognized as a sports hero in Italy. His time, as he mentioned, is always taken by various demands. "Fifteen years ago it was me who was asking for the autographs from riders like Bugno, Indurain or Chiappucci. But I do not always have time, but when I do I make sure to give an autograph or photo. I try to exchange a few words with all my fans."

Number Three Pinotti

Number three for Giro d'Italia stage 11 in Pontedera was BiciRace.com Inside Scoop writer, Marco Pinotti. The Italian of Saunier Duval-Prodir visibly ripped up the course, catching the rider who started in front of him, Rik Verbrugghe.

"My first goal was to catch Verbrugghe, which made me feel good, it was him who beat me in 2001 at the Tour de France," explained Pinotti over dinner after the stage. "I felt fast out there today. In the car was my mental couch, Omar Beltran. Omar was motivating me for the day, which helped."

Thanks Marco... You looked very fast. Third behind Ullrich and Basso is a special finish.

García Quesada Takes Stage 5 in Volta

Adolfo García Quesada (Andalucia-Paul Versan) took the fifth stage, and in so doing has given his team their second victory in the Volta a Catalunya. Carlos Castano (Kaiku) heads the general classification ahead of David Canada (Saunier Duval-Prodir) at 1'16" and Santiago Botero (Phonak) at 1'18".
- Paco

17 May News ...