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10 June 2006

12 June News ...

Basso Makes Tour Test

Winner of the 2006 Giro d'Italia, Ivan Basso, tested the climb of Col d'Izoard yesterday. Prior to the arrival of the Dauphiné Libéré peloton, Ivan Basso, along with CSC mates, Bobby Julich and Iñigo Cuesta, rode the 2360 meter climb.

The Col d'Izoard will form part of stage 15 of this year's Tour de France. Basso and his crew covered the final 150K of the Tour stage, including Izoard and the Col du Lautaret before the finish on the famed climb of l'Alpe d'Huez.

"It all went well," said the 28 year-old. "We are reconnoitering the stages without any stress, just riding."

Today the Italian Stallion will cover new climb of La Toussuire (stage 16), like the riders in the Dauphiné Libéré, and then tomorrow the finale of stage 17 to Morzine. Basso's next scheduled race is the Eindhoven Team TT on June 18 June.

Bettini Balances Team and Tricolore

Paolo Bettini (Quick-Step) will race in the Tour de Suisse, starting today and ending 18 June. Il Grillo has a couple of thoughts on his mind: Changing teams and an attempt to win la maglia tricolore.

Bettini, already a past winner of the tricolore in 2003, will likely race the Italian Championships this 25 June. Not racing since the Giro d'Italia ended in Milano on 28 May, the Tour de Suisse will give Il Grillo an opportunity to test his form for the championships.

"I want to understand if I still have the right condition to win the championships," explained Bettini. "I have seen the course, and I like it. Also, I would like to retake the maglia tricolore."

The other concern of Paolo Bettini is which team colors he will race in for 2007. The current contract with Patrick Lefevere's Quick-Step squadra expires at year-end and Bettini would like to changes teams. According to Bettini, Quick-Step, especially with Tom Boonen, is full of too many classy riders for everyone to have their own opportunities.

Bettini continues, "I have ahead of me an important decision. One factor that will sway my decision is to have a squadra that will support me in my key races. I want two mates that I can trust to accompany me. ... Like [Luca] Paolini. But he will still be under contract with Liquigas for 2007."

Would Bettini consider a move to the green colors of Liquigas? "They are not looking for a rider like me."

The teams on Bettini's shopping list are rumored to be T-Mobile and Lampre-Fondital. Both teams would allow Il Grillo Livornese to have free reign in the Ardennes Classics, but there are still conflicts: Lampre has Alessandro Ballan for the pavé Classics and T-Mobile... Well, T-Mobile seems to be a hard adjustment for any non-German, rider.

After a probable participation in the Italian Championships, Bettini will take a much needed break before returning to build for the World Championships. The pre-Worlds program for Bettini: Tour de la Région Wallonne (24 - 28 July), HEW-Cyclassics (30 July), Vuelta a Burgos (6 - 10 August), Clásica San Sebastián (12 August) and Vuelta a España (26 - 17 September).

2006 Tour de Suisse, 10 - 18 June
Main, Overall Map, Photos, Startlist

2006 Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré, 4 - 11 June
Main, Overall Map, Photos, Startlist

9 June News ...