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News :: June 2006

12 June 2006

American Leipheimer Adds To Prestigious Winners

Overall winner Leipheimer (center) with Moreau (left) and Kohl (right), photo: www.ciclismovitamia.it

By winning the 58th Dauphiné Libéré, Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner) became only the fourth American to win the prestigious French race after Greg LeMond (1983), Tyler Hamilton (2000) and Lance Armstrong (2002 and 2003). Two of those Americans went on to overall glory in France's other big race, the Tour de France, and Leipheimer is hoping for the same.

"It will be different at the Tour without Armstrong," said the 33 year-old. "I will take my chances at the Tour but avoiding any stupid errors."

Leipheimer is careful not to overlook the important victory that became his yesterday afternoon. The American claimed another great stage race overall win, after winning last year's Deuschtland Tour, by riding consistent all week and being present in all the key attacks.

"When I started cycling it was LeMond who was winning the Tour de France, and I always heard about the Dauphiné," remembered Leipheimer. "I've always thought that this is one of the best races in the calendar. When Tyler [Hamilton] won it, I was on the same team and I said that I could win it one day."

Last year the overall victory in the Dauphiné slipped through the American's hands. "I should have won it," lamented Leipheimer. "This race is a difficult race to control as a team. What we've done this week shows a lot about myself and team Gerolsteiner. In the final three days it was a lot of hard work."

The path of Leipheimer to the Tour de France is different than that of his rivals who were in the Dauphiné. Riders like George Hincapie, Alexander Vinokourov and Alejandro Valverde either preferred to use the race for training or just did not have the legs to shine. Leipheimer was close to the overall and took control of the race, securing an important win and a confidence booster before the Tour de France.

The Californian added, "Sometimes riders are afraid of doing it but this gives me confidence for the future. I am very happy. My form is just right and I think I'm stronger than this same time last year, and especially in the mountains."

Basso Finishes French Reconnaissance

Yesterday was the last day of Tour de France reconnaissance for Ivan Basso. The CSC rider and some selected teammates finished their mini-camp in the French Alps with a preview of the Tour's stage 17. The Italian Stallion rode the entire length of the Alpine stage, from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to Morzine, including five climbs. (Stage Profile.)

Starting today, the Giro d'Italia champion will be in Lido di Camaiore (Toscana) for another mini-camp with his CSC squadra.

Read:
Basso Makes Tour Test, 10 June

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

Contrini Plays Wild Card

Contrini on the podium, photo: www.ciclismovitamia.it

Daniele Contrini (Team LPR) did the deed in the Tour de Suisse stage 2: He attacked with 90 kilometers to go and stayed clear to win the stage with a five minute advantage. Adding to the sweetness of the win was the fact that LPR is a non-ProTour formation who were only able to race this ProTour race thanks to a wild card invitation.

"What suffering," said Contrini after his seventh career victory, all of which have been outside of his home country of Italy. "I was in all sorts of pain with seven kilometers to go. My left leg, my arm and my back were all cramping."

Contrini (31) rode though the pain to celebrate his greatest win. His gap over the peloton was large and almost gained him the leader's yellow jersey, but then it fell just out of reach. The Italian was nonetheless happy for securing a win for his Swiss-based squadra.

"I wanted to win and give a nice gift to my team, LPR," continue Contrini, who joined the team in 2004. "Two years ago they were there to offer me a contract when I was without a team. Also, here in Switzerland, we are the only non-ProTour team. It is too bad I missed out on the overall classification. In the last kilometer I let up a little to celebrate and this might have been decisive."

The tifosi might remember a similar move by Contrini in stage 2 of the Tirreno-Adriatico earlier this year. The 31 year-old spent a total of 153K off the front of the peloton before having his move crushed by a hard-charging Milram in the final 175 meters. But this time in Switzerland his move prevailed and Contrini received the most beautiful win of his career.

Coming at the end of June are the Italian National Championships. Contrini is hoping to import his good Swiss-form into Italy and win the tricolore. "Certainly, if I leave here with good form then... We will see."

Benna Tops Suisse GC

New GC leader Bennati, photo: www.ciclismovitamia.it

For the first time in his professional career, Daniele Bennati (Lampre-Fondital) has taken the overall lead of a stage race. By winning the bunch sprint behind Contrini's solo escape in stage 2 of the Tour de Suisse the Italian moved himself from second to first overall, taking the lead from Tom Boonen (Quick-Step).

Benna (25) is building his form for a run at the Tour de France this July. His goal is similar to what he accomplished yesterday in Switzerland, consistancy in the sprints to then take the leader's jersey.

"I hope that this color is a good omen for the upcoming Tour de France," said Benna in the race leader's yellow jersey but with his mind on the maillot jaune. "If I am able to do well and not lose too much time in the prologue then the maillot jaune will be mine for the taking."

After finishing second in the first two stages of the Tour de Suisse the Lampre-Fondital sprinter is ready to take a win. "I am going for a stage win. I would like to have a win after coming second in stages one and two."

The Tour de Suisse continues today with stage three. The riders will face a rolling 160K from Einsiedeln to Arlesheim.

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

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