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29 May 2006

30 May News ...

King of Italy: Basso

Ivan Basso (CSC) has been crowned the King of Italy, or darn near close. The Italian arrived in Milano to conclude the 89th Giro d'Italia and win his first ever Grand Tour. The competition and parcours were among the toughest in years: a week of high mountains and a savage Simoni breathing down Basso's neck the entire time.

Simoni has still not gone away, after stage 21 in Milano, Basso was still answering questions regarding his win one day before. Basso took victory from Simoni, two-time Giro champion, after the duo rode clear on the slopes of the Passo del Mortirolo.

"I have heard the words of the critics," said an irritated Basso. "I had decided with Riis and my team that I would try to win the stage. After 20 days of hard work it was justifiably, I don't want to respond anymore to these questions."

But Basso, obviously troubled by the whole Aprica mess, continued to explain: "I don't want anyone to ruin this day of mine. I don't want to answer any more of these questions. I think that most of the fans were happy for my success. I don't want the problems of yesterday to ruin this day of winning the Giro. Yesterday it was the same Ivan that is at the bars or restaurants, an Ivan vero. There was no disrespect for Simoni."

Gilberto Simoni (Saunier Duval-Prodir) battled Basso to the end of the Giro, finally finishing 12 minutes behind the 28 year-old Varesino. "The toughest adversary was Simoni. Without doubt," Basso clarified. "He has won the Giro twice, made the podium many times and he is a rider who was the strongest. My preparations were always combined with the mountains and time trials, to be ready to face my adversaries.

Stage 19 from Pordenone to San Pellegrino was an important day for Basso: early in the morning the news came from his wife in Varese that their second child, Santiago, was born. Basso then went on to battle Saunier on the high mountain passes, responding to the attacks that came every minute on the mountain finale.

"There is not a lot of time to enjoy the [Giro] win, I will spend some nice days with my family, which is what is important. I am a new dad, and I need to see my son, who has not yet seen me."

Basso was given a smaller version of his Maglia Rosa before the stage start to gift to his son. "It will be the first gift from me for Santiago."

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

Caffè with Schumacher

BiciRace.com had a chance to speak with Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) over a caffè. We made sure to complement him on his wins in the Giro d'Italia and his time in the Maglia Rosa.

"They Italians know me better now, but there still only one Schumacher in Italy, and that is Michael," explained Stefan, referring to the unrelated F1 racer. "They are so nuts over him here in Italy, and he is German!"

Will you be racing the Tour de France? "No. After the national championships I will take a break. With the Giro and the Classics I will have about 60 days of racing in my legs, and that is enough."

Litu Opens Throttle

One of Gilberto Simoni's henchmen in this year's Giro was Ángel Gómez Gómez (Saunier Duval-Prodir), or Litu. BiciRace.com spotted the rider on the Passo di Gavia, after being split from the head of affairs. The Spaniard explained (in good English), "I made the acceleration leading to, and on the base of Gavia. [he moves his had like he is giving the throttle on a motor bike.] I was at the head of the peloton and then I pulled off for Lobato to take over."

We loved seeing the personable Spaniard over the three weeks of this year's Giro, and it was a delight to see him on the Gavia. "I saw you that day," he finished.

Combination Savoldelli

Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) finished this year's Giro d'Italia in fifth, 20 minutes back. After winning the 2005, Il Falco Bergamasco was pinned as a hot favorite to win again. Savoldelli took an early punch at his rivals, winning the opening time trial in Belgium and taking the Maglia Rosa in the process. This win, combined with his overall strength were enough to win him the combination competition.

Savoldelli explained his Giro: "This Giro went very well but I had lots of problems leading to the start," said il Falco. "In the climbs I did not go so well. I will search to have some solid recovery and then go to the Tour de France. After a Giro like this I will need some time to recover."

No Tour for Wegelius

BiciRace.com finally was able to chat with Charles Wegelius (Liquigas) on the last day of this year's Giro d'Italia. The British rider spent the three weeks looking after his captain, Danilo Di Luca. The two are close, we caught Charly when he was talking with Di Luca at the start of the stage to Milano.

"It has been a good Giro for me," said Wegelius when we inquired how the Giro was for him. In stage 18, after being in a day-long escape, Wegelius tried his luck but he was unable to match the turn of speed from Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner).

"From here I will race the Tour de Suisse," continued the super-domestique. "The team has asked me to do the Tour, but really I have had enough, and said 'no for me.'"

28 May News ...