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26 May 2006

27 May News ...

Incredible Giro for Schumacher

Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) is the street fightin' man: The German kept the five-man escape group intact in stage 18 of the Giro d'Italia to ensure a sprint battle on the streets of Gemona del Friuli.

The German rose to fame in his first Grand Tour when he won stage 3 into Namur and took the leader's Maglia Rosa. Since the early Belgian stage, Schumacher has been recovering and trying for further success: "Sunday, on the mountain stage, I was also in the break, with 11 riders. I did not have the luck of today," explained the 24 year-old German. "Today it was really heavy, all the riders in the escape were so strong. I tried to take it on the last climb, but then it all stayed together. After that point I wanted to take it to a sprint finish because I knew I could win from a sprint."

Making it through a three week race is not easy, especially in your first attempt. Schumacher has proved his strength to win, but also his strength to survive hardship: "After the crash in stage 7 I had problems with my legs... I had some really hard days. ... But it has been a great Giro: Two wins and the Maglia Rosa. This is my first Giro, it is incredible."

Did the previous win in Namur give Schumacher confidence for stage 18? "The win in Namur was great for me," explained the German. "The biggest win in my career. Then I had a good feeling in the last few days to try to make a breakaway. Today, in the group of five, on the category 2 climb I felt very strong and this gave me more confidence. After already winning everyone knows who you are, so it was really hard for me today."

There was no love for his companions, even the Italian, Marzio Bruseghin, who is winless as a professional. The German explained: "There was no way to give Bruseghin a present. I don't have so many victories in my career where I can start giving away wins."

After a day driving through Austria, thoughts of the World Championships this fall are on the minds of the journalists here at the Giro d'Italia. The Worlds take place 24 September 2006, but Schumacher is thinking of 2007, "The course [this year] could be for me, but next year the race is in my home of Stuttgart. I will make preparations this August for the Worlds. But this year, with my first Grand Tour, I am still learning. Maybe I can be better for the Worlds next year in Germany."

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 is Scared of Mountains

Ivan Basso (Team CSC) had an "easier" day, with stage 18, to think of the Maglia Rosa: Stages 19 and 20 of the 89th Giro d'Italia will test his legs like never before. The days will determine if the Italian Stallion will win his first Grand Tour: "Look, it is hard to do 200K a day, the next two days will be very hard. Tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, will be very, very hard stages. I am still tired from Furcia and I have to manage my strength. The stages will be long, with lots of mountains. ... It is truly... Duro."

The 28 year-old tasted the glory of the Maglia Rosa last year, but then had the sweetness washed clean by the cold Passo dello Stelvio. It was a day of stress and stomach problems for the Italian, a day that cost him lots of time and the chance at the overall. "These mountain stages are days that scare me. [For the remaining mountain stages] I will try to be the same Ivan of the last 15 days and respond to the attacks of my adversaries."

Basso is not the best on the higher gradients and will have to watch riders like Gilberto Simoni. Will he seek to gain more time? "I am basing it all on my condition. I am not secure of anything: five minutes to second, ten to third... In the mountains I am scared. I will watch everything. It is clear that the next two days in the mountains will be tough."

The Italian Stallion is one year older and wiser. Time losses, like last year on lo Stelvio, seem unlikely to occur again. "I believe that the stress, and everything else, is what you learn to deal with year after year. Last year was my first experience in the lead of a Grand Tour. I am still learning. ... I am not stressed by having the Maglia Rosa, it is giving me energy. It is not a heavy burden. I want to take it to the end."

On a darker note: Basso's name is supposedly one of the names on a list of riders obtained by Spanish police during an investigation of the Liberty Seguros-Würth team doctor, who has been found with illegal drugs. Basso's closing thoughts: "Look, I am very calm... focused on the Giro. I am not able to follow all of this news from Spain... I am just focusing on the next two stages."

Bjarne Riis, Basso's team director, gave his thoughts after stage 18 in northeastern Italy: "I think that all of the top classification men in the Giro are dangerous... We are watching everyone. Five minutes [to Gutierrez of Phonak] is small when you consider the stages still to come."

The conversation then switched to the Liberty doping investigation in Spain: "I am always near Ivan, not only at the Giro or Tour," continued the Dane. "I know what he is up to, more than anyone else. I motor pace Ivan for seven to eight hours on the Vespa. I know what he is up to. Liberty is a sad situation, but CSC is different."

Bruseghin Comes Close to Pro Win

At 31 years of age, Marzio Bruseghin (Lampre-Fondital) has never won a race in his career. The Italian from near Treviso has come close on many occasions, and yesterday was another one of those races, finishing seconded in stage 18 of the Giro d'Italia to German, Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner).

You could hear the let down of the tifosi at the finish in Gemona del Friuli when they witnessed Schumacher reel in Bruseghin's attack in the final 200 meters. It was after all Bruseghin who initiated the day's five-man escape, led over the passes and presented force in the final kilometers, but those actions don't add up to a free win.

"I tried at 200 meters, but Schumacher was just too strong," explained a visibly beaten Bruseghin after stage 18. "I went at the last minute, I thought it was going to work... But it was Schumacher who was so strong. I will try again, I really wanted it today. The finale was all about the sprint. It was my first try today and Schumacher had already won, I had hoped... It did not go how I had hoped."

Marzio is in the same squadra as 2004 Giro Champion, Damiano Cunego, but was allowed his freedom in stage 18. "I had the permission to go in an escape," continued Bruseghin, who will likely be very tired in stage 19. "I have done a good Giro, and I am still racing for Cunego to the last day. I still believe he is a protagonist."

Liberty Saga Continues

One of the big questions yesterday was what would happen to the Liberty Seguros-Würth team now that the title sponsor had pulled out? It seems that the team will continue through the end of the season, albeit with a severely reduced budget. As of now, Saíz will still be taking his squad to the Tour with the hopes of team leader, Vinokourov, winning the overall GC. Beyond that is anyone’s guess.

Of the five persons originally detained by police, Saíz is the only free one now. The other four are still in police custody and all maintain their innocence.

José Ignacio Labarta, assistant DS at Comunidad Valenciana, has been suspended by team manager, Vicente Belda. This whole affair could prove disastrous to Comunidad Valenciana as they had a wild card invitation to the Tour de France.

CV’s non-participation in the Tour is, of course, nothing compared to the profound effects this could have on the sport of cycling. The UCI President, Pat McQuaid, was quoted to Reuters as saying “Unfortunately it’s looking like it could be the biggest doping investigation in Spain and could be along the lines of the 1998 Festina scandal.”

We guarantee this is just the tip of the iceberg. Stay tuned to BiciRace.com for new developments in this case.
- Paco

25 May News ...