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1 June 2006

2 June News ...

Salò: The Cold War Continues

Yesterday under the early evening moon Ivan Basso and Gilberto Simoni met. The two took part in the GP di Salò, an unofficial race on the shores of Lago di Garda.

The Salò criterium was a festival in honor of Team CSC's Ivan Basso, his first race since winning the 89th Giro d'Italia last Sunday. Gilberto Simoni (Saunier Duval-Prodir) was left feeling a little unwelcome amongst the Basso tifosi.

The two riders have not seen each other since the Giro d'Italia finished in Milano. The cold war had just begun the day before: Basso attacked Simoni with four kilometers to the arrival in Aprica and then after the stage Simoni accused Basso of asking for money to give away the stage victory.

When called to the line in Salò, the two riders exchanged a "ciao" but were very distant, with Paolo Bettini and Igor Astarloa separating the two. Paolo Zanni, race organizer and agent to Astarloa, tried to get the two riders to shake hands but was unsuccessful. Simoni's words: "Basso? I don' want to talk of him. The question for me is closed."

Simoni is scheduled to be heard Monday by the FCI (Federazione Ciclistica Italiana) in regards to his claims against Basso. "If I am called to testify then I will do so with no problems," explained Basso. "I have nothing to hide. With Simoni the things remain how they were. I can't do anything about this but I remain calm. I will not remain bitter, but I will not forget."

The race went on: Basso finished first ahead of Bettini and Astarloa. The evening became dark but il Varesino continued to shine in all rosa. He was completely kitted-out in pink: helmet, jersey, bibs, socks, gloves and part of his shoes. Bello!

The two will race together again, tonight in the Arona Criterium.

Di Rocco with Hard Words for Simoni

"Every time that he loses Simoni will invent something...," said Renato di Rocco, president of the FCI (Federazione Ciclistica Italiana). Di Rocco heads the same organization that will be investigating Gilberto Simoni's claims that Ivan Basso asked for money in last Saturday's Giro d'Italia stage to Aprica.

"We have trust in the process, but it is something that is very hard to verify," continued the Italian. "Certainly this has cast a bad light on us."

Basso-Simoni Cold War, Read:
Basso Faces Spanish and Simoni, 31 May
Simoni Attacks Basso, 28 May
Beautiful Day for Non-Alien Basso, 28 May

Gil in Euskal Bizikleta and Kirchen in Luxembourg

Two races started yesterday: The Tour de Luxembourg and the Euskal Bizikleta, both events run from 31 May to 4 June. In Luxembourg it was Kim Kirchen (T-Mobile) winning in his home country, a 2.6K opening time trial, with 4" over Laszlo Bodrogi (Crédit Agricole). While over in the Basque region of Spain, Koldo Gil (Saunier Duval-Prodir) won stage 1 of the Euskal Bizikleta. The 28 year-old stole the show in front of compatriot David Herrero (Euskaltel-Euskadi), 6" back, his first win in over a year, when he won the Giro d'Italia stage to Pistoia.

Other news from Euskal Bizikleta: Würth made their season debut. The Spanish team, formerly known as Liberty Seguros-Würth, took to the line in an all white strip. Good luck boys!

Petacchi Continues Rehab

Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) continues his recovery from the knee injury resulting from a crash in stage three of the Giro d'Italia. The crash in Belgium, which resulted in a fractured left kneecap, forced lo Spezzino's to abandon one of his major objectives and face time off the bike.

"The position of the knee is perfect, but the bone is not yet hardened," said Petacchi after a visit to the San Rossore clinic in Pisa. The visit is part of a series of controls after having an operation on his knee three weeks ago. "I will have to remain immobile for another two weeks and then I will be able to start with rehabilitation."

Read:
Giro Over for Alessandro Petacchi, 9 May

Raisin on the Trainer

Saul Raisin (Crédit Agricole) is on the bike, using the stationary trainer to help recover from his crash in stage one of the Circuit de la Sarthe (4 April).

The American crashed with two kilometers to go and then was immediately taken to hospital in Angers (France) to be treated for head injuries. Raisin faced emergency surgery two days later to remove pressure to his brain caused by an erupted hematoma. Since recovering, in and out of a coma, he is back in his home state of Georgia.

Two days ago the American, via his website, wrote "... I went swimming yesterday, my left arm is getting better.. I could swim freestyle ok, much better than the last time I went swimming. It feels like it is taking for ever but I am getting well. Brain injuries are very difficult; every day is a surprise... Always wear your helmet while riding.. I go back to the rehab center today for the rest of the week.. :("

BiciRace.com will keep checking on Saul and we hope that you keep the 23 year-old in your thoughts. Best of luck Saul!

Read:
Raisin Out of Coma and Breathing, 14 April
Improvements for Saul Raisin, 12 April
Saul Raisin Update: Coma but Living, 8 April
Saul Raisin is in Stable Condition, 6 April
Crash-Fest in Sarthe: Raisin, Lancaster, Dominguez and Farrar, 5 April

Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré, Preview

The Giro d'Italia is officially over and the cycling world's attention now centers on all things French. The Dauphiné Libéré, along with the Tour de Suisse, has traditionally been preparation races for the Tour de France and this year is no different. But make no mistake, the Dauphiné is a race that any cyclist would give his hand to have in his palmarès.

Read the 58th Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré full preview.

31 May News ...