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22 May 2006

23 May News ...

Laverde Phones Home

Luis Felipe Laverde (Panaria-Navigare) made the escape group of 11 in stage 14 to Domodossola, covering two cat 2 passes, and then sprinted away from his companions for victory. "I thought it was easy to get into to the escape, but to win is always difficult," said the Colombian after the stage win. "In the last kilometers of a race it is always difficult, and full of tension. You never know who will try to attack and counter-attack. It is truly full of tension."

Laverde helped form the escape mid-way up the Passo del Gran San Bernardo, then down the descent, into Switzerland, they built up an unattainable lead. "We had two Panaria riders in the escape, but there were also two riders from Phonak, so I was worried about them."

Laverde is one of the few Colombians making his way in the European peloton. It is not easy for the riders to travel the distance from South America, race in unknown countries and accustom themselves to the different culture. "I live in Imola," continued Laverde. "I live with a Panaria teammate, Mexican Aldape Chavez, and with two other riders. I really like Imola, it is a big city, I like that a lot. I come from a small town in Colombia, out in the country."

BiciRace.com asked Laverde when he came to Italy, "I came here in 2001, raced for an amateur team, so I have been here for six years now. I love Italy." What about the food? "Yes. I love all of the Italian food. It is the best in the world!" Pizza? "Yes, of course. Everything. It is all so good here."

Do you have an Italian girlfriend? "No. Colombian. Her name is Novia. We just started dating, I will leave it at that," said the Colombian. Do you call her often? "Yes. I will call her as soon as I get back to the hotel to tell her of the victory today. ... My parents are also in Colombia, and I will call them tonight I will call everyone."

Do you go back to visit your parents often? "Yes. I will go at the end of the Giro. I usually spend six months of the year in Colombia and six here. ... In the future I want to have a family in Colombia. But I will think about that later. Now it is all about racing."

Colombia is still dominated by football, like Italy, so we were curious how Laverde got started in cycling. "I started because of my family. My cousins went riding often. They like cycling a lot, and so I started. Growing up I followed cycling in Colombia. I started riding during the time of Miguel Indurain. He was my favorite rider at first and then I became a big fan of Marco Pantani."

Do you think that you will be more recognized now in Colombia? "My life in Colombia will not be different. Only a few people follow cycling in Colombia. It is really difficult to be noticed. Santiago Botero has a big following because he won the World Championships."

We wish Laverde the best of luck. BiciRace.com was excited to see his fresh face in the press room, which has been dominated by Ivan Basso. Even when Basso came in the press room, Laverde was still talking with us, but most of the media's attention turned to the Maglia Rosa of Basso. Laverde showed his respect and quietly turned the microphone over to Basso.

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

Not Rabon

BiciRace.com sometimes gets our information wrong. We bumped into Frantisek Rabon of T-Mobile yesterday morning and then started to complement him on his time spent in the break in stage 13. The Czech rider, from Prague, kindly corrected us, saying that he was not in any break. "No, that was not me. I have been working for Pollack or Ullrich."

The 22 year-old is using the Giro to learn from the more experienced riders in the pink posse. "I am usually getting bottles for those guys," explained Rabon. "I spent most of the early stages working for Pollack in the sprints."

How did it go yesterday on the Colle San Carlo? "The stage started off fine, then it was two degrees and raining on the climb. The descent was tough too. My hands were freezing."

"I hope today [stage 14] will be relaxed. The Colombians and some of the other lightweight riders will be fighting to get in a break. The French, and heavier riders like me have no chance. But we will be able to use our weight advantage on the descents."

During stage 14, BiciRace.com was a little worried to hear over race radio that our new friend Rabon crashed. Later we learned that he was able to get up and keep going... Tutto OK. Stage 15, to Brescia, should see Rabon working for Pollack again. The all-flat parcours should suit the big sprinter of T-Mobile. Good luck boys!

Danielson and Savoldelli

Tom Danielson and Paolo Savoldelli are both placed well in the current general classification: The American is in eighth at 8'35", and the Italian is in third, at 5'30". Their team, Discovery Channel, can conceivably play two GC cards if they wanted to, by sending Tom up the road, forcing the other teams to chase while Paolo follows.

"Danielson is a very excellent athlete," explained Savoldelli. "At 59 kilograms, he is light in the climbs, but still fast in time trials. Of course he is young and still learning. This is only his third year in the ProTour. He is not at his maximum to obtain a good overall result but he will be soon."

Is the team letting Danielson have any opportunities for stages? "Today [stage 14] he had a chance to go in an escape, but he did not have any good luck."

BiciRace.com says: Don't count out an overall win for Tom this year. He is not that far back on the GC and a lot can change in the coming days. Savoldelli looks tired and unable to make the podium in Milano. Stay tuned.

Beauty on the Roads: Basso

Ivan Basso is enjoying his time in the Maglia Rosa: His team has a firm grip on the race and everyday he is awarded another leader's jersey. Adding to the three days he spent in the Maglia Rosa last year, pink is now becoming Basso's color. "I think my best Maglia Rosa was when I took it last year after the stage to Zoldo Alto," said the Italian Stallion after stage 14 in Domodossola. "But it would be even better to be awarded the jersey in Milano." Next Sunday? "You understand well!"

What has changed for you since last year? "The changes are good. Before I never had a lot of fans, apart from the fans at the roadside and at the start of races. I like having the attention from them. It is beautiful."

"I will try to win on some other stages. But I will have to see how the condition goes," explained Basso who has already won stage eight to Passo Lanciano. His main goals: win the Giro, before taking a break, enjoying time with his family, and then win the Tour de France. "... In recent years the Giro is like the Tour: it departs strong, everyone wants to have a go in an escape... All want to do well. These quick starts are very tiring. Overall I believe that for those watching it is very entertaining. A very good Giro."

"I am only one of the actors of this Giro, like the guy here before me [Basso referring to Laverde.], Leonardo Piepoli yesterday, and everyone. Not only Ivan Basso, but all of these riders. Of course the Maglia Rosa is great, but every day there is a big show of beauty here on the roads."

21 May News ...