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28 May 2006

29 May News ...

Simoni Attacks Basso

Gilberto Simoni (Saunier Duval-Prodir) finished second in stage 20 to Aprica after firing all of his ammunition at race leader, Ivan Basso. Simoni went free with Basso on the Passo del Mortirolo and then tried to crack his rival on the famous pass, south of Bormio. Simoni's attacks did not shatter Basso, leaving the two to top the climb and ride to Aprica together.

"He asked me to wait for him on the descent of the Mortirolo," said a frustrated Gilberto after the stage. "In the valley, I was in my 53 and he was in his 39... I felt good. But he is an alien. It was not correct of him. I did a lot of work to take us to the finish and then he left me behind. If you want to win a race like this... well then."

Do you think that he had a valid reason: to win for his new son? "Look, everyday he has a new reason to win."

Beautiful Day for Non-Alien Basso

Ivan Basso (CSC), winner of stage 20 to Aprica and nearly winner of the 89th Giro d'Italia, was not too impressed with Simoni's comments on his stage win. The Italian won the stage, after responding to every attack by Simoni on the Passo del Mortirolo and then by going free in the final 4000 meters.

After the stage he overheard Simoni's comments and was not pleased: "I am calm," started Basso. "I believe that I have adapted to a lot in this Giro. I don't like being compared to an alien like Simoni said. ... I told him that we can make the descent of Mortirolo together and then in the valley we would have more chances of making it to the finish."

"I think his comments after the line were just the heat of the moment," continued Basso. "I believe that in this Giro I have not tried to be bad, I have tried to be a human on all occasions. Full of heart. My team took in hand the stage today, and did all the work. It was clear that I wanted to do well in this stage."

"To drop Simoni was part of the sprint," continued Basso, referring to his win over Simoni. "It was on a small climb, so it was perfect for me. I don't like to be made to look like an alien. I have made my slow rise and paid to get where I am today. I started this Giro like an Ivan who would go to the Tour. The Giro deserves my respect, the best Ivan. You have to come here this way. ... It was not a new thing that I started to go strong in the time trial, or in the climbs. Remember my wins from earlier this year? I did not come out of no where and don't deserve to be compared to an alien."

"The day in my life that changed was when I signed a contract with Team CSC. I have to say thanks to this guy on my right," said Basso, looking over to his Team Manager, Bjarne Riis. "He has taught me so much. Not every team manager would be so close, seven to eight hours on the scooter motor pacing, going to his home to get special equipment before the Pontedera time trial, or to be there with me during the ugly points of my life. I don't think I could be going so strong in the crono if it was not for Riis. It was piano, piano that we made these changes to my setup... working and working. I have spent many hours on the crono bike to arrive like this."

"I made my rhythm in the final meters and then I tried to go for the win. Basta! Enough of this subject. ... I did not like it to end like this. It was really a beautiful day for me, for my son, and I don't want to be like this on such a special day. I don't believe it is right if you stay on the wheel all day and then go for the win at 300 meters, but I did my work to help us stay away."

Basso had in his back pocket a photo of his newly born son, Santiago, which he pulled out and held in the air as he crossed the line. Santiago was born the day before and so Aprica was a very emotional win for Basso. "It is of the moment how you choose to celebrate," said the stage 20 winner. "I had the photo of my son with me for the day, even if I did not win."

This area is important for me. My mom comes from the area near Aprica, and so I have trained on these roads as a child. It was something that was part of my early years. Now to win a stage that includes the famous Mortirolo it is very special. Every racer wants to win a famous stage like this."

Do you feel like you are the best rider in the peloton? "I feel very happy, but I don't like to have tributes paid to me. I think that the best and beautiful thing about the Giro is all the stage winners and all the athletes that have competed: Those who went for Verde, Ciclamino and those who fought for the classification. It is all part of a beautiful Giro.

Manzano: I Told You So

Remember back in 2004 when little known ex-Kelme rider, Jesus Manzano, testified that doping was a much more pervasive epidemic than most thought? It seems that he was right on the money. Manzano was made out to be the devil, and became a social pariah.

The ex-Kelme rider testified back on April 6, 2004 that Eufemiano Fuentes had put him on a regimen of regular doping injections in preparation for his first Giro d’Italia back in 2001. “The moment that I testified, I was considered like some sort of a devil… It was Manzano’s word against everybody else’s, and now look,” Manzano was quoted as saying on Thursday. He added, “The investigation has already brought in five arrests…Others will fall.”
- Paco

89th Giro d'Italia, 6 - 28 May
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2005 Giro d'Italia

27 May News ...