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30 June 2006

30 June News ...

Austrian Eisel Speaks the Language

BiciRace.com had a chance to speak with Austrian fast man, Bernhard Eisel of Française Des Jeux, at the Tour de France team presentations yesterday in Strasbourg. The 25 year-old is one of the French squadra's men for the sprints even if he is a little off form.

"I just started back in the Tour de Suisse, my right leg has been giving me some difficulties," said Eisel. You were able to take a nice stage there in 2005. "Yes, my first one. I hope here at the Tour to be up there in the sprints but it will be difficult because I am not in form"

Thanks Bernard. You speak English well. Are you able to speak in other languages? "Thanks. I also can speak in French and Italian," finished the tri-lingual Austrian.

Pozzato Hunts for Team and Stage

Filippo Pozzato (Quick-Step) was milling around the back stage during the Tour de France team presentations when we spoke with the Italian. The winner of the Milano-Sanremo is shopping the market for a new squadra, one that pays enough to insure his Ferrari, buy him more watches, which he collects, and to put food on his table. Quick-Step has spent the major part of their 20007 budget for Bettini and Boonen and they don't really have the means to support the talent of Pozzato.

Are you still looking for a team? "Yes. I am talking with T-Mobile and Cofidis," said the young 24 year-old. But are you worried that a team like Cofidis might be too French for you? "No, as long as I have my technical needs met, I should be fine. I would also take a couple of companions with me, like Guido Trenti."

Back in 2004 the Italian blazed his way to stardom with a Tour de France win. This year he might be given his chances in a few stages. Pippo explains: "In the first week I will stay with Tom [Boonen] but I may have my own chances. I am looking at the stage to Valkenburg [stage 3] as a stage to suit my style."

BiciRace.com wishes Pippo the best of luck in France and with the search for a new team.

Boonen Talks about Maillot

Belgian Tom Boonen (Quick-Step) is ready to roar down the French roads in the 2006 Tour de France. The big, bad Boonen looked relaxed and ready today in Strasbourg when he arrived with the rest of his Treno Blu. The Tour will be a success if the World Champion stakes victory in a few sprint stages and takes the sprinters' Maillot Vert in Paris.

Are you going to give it all to win the green jersey, including going for the intermediate sprints? Boonen replied: "If you look at Hushovd last year, he was always beaten in the intermediate sprints and always up with the best at the finish, not winning a stage, but he had good luck and still won the jersey. He is the type of person that prefers winning green jersey, even if missing out on stages."

Boonen, in order to have a chance at green in Paris, will have to keep off the tarmac, avoiding the type of mishap that put an end to his 2005 Tour. "This year I hope to stay out of the accidents. This year it is not up to me, it is up to the gods."

Trading his World Champion stripes for the color of yellow would be a dream for the accomplished Belgian. Given a fast ride in the 7.1K prologue, it is possible Boonen could rack up enough bonus seconds in the sprint to take the Maillot Jaune.

"[The Maillot Jaune] is not an objective, but we will see," added the 25 year-old. "The team will try to take it but it is not a big objective. It will be hard with the stressful first stages."

The task might be easier since the other sprint god, Alessandro Petacchi (Milram), is missing out on the Tour de France due to a knee injury. Are you upset that Petacchi is not here? "Yes it is too bad," continued Boonen. "It would be nice to beat him here in France and I also would have liked to have Alessandro's team to control the race. But to win a stage or two in the Tour is always good."

Boonen had a serious beard growing from his tanned face. Is there a shave planned? "Yes I will have a shave before the start on Saturday." Finally, nice shoes. "Thanks. Those are from a French company that sponsors our team. That bird was on of the first sponsors of the yellow jersey. Very cool."

Aussies with American Help

Davitamon-Lotto has two Australians leading their Tour de France team: Robbie McEwen for the sprints and Cadel Evans for the classification. Behind those two men are two Americans. Fred Rodriguez will do the muscle-work for McEwen in the final kilometers of the sprint stages and Chris Horner will be there in the mountains to keep Evans in place.

"Working for Robbie in the first week will be tough," said Rodriguez. His enthusiasm for his Aussie mate is genuine, like love for coffee. How is the coffee business? "It is going good. In the next week we will be launching the new website for the coffee blend, separate from my personal website. This week will be a good time to promote the website."

Horner, signing for the Belgian team over the winter, will be good American company for Rodriguez but his role is to stay next to Evans. The Aussie has the legs to make a push for a top-five overall placing and Horner will be called upon to keep Evans protected. The two demonstrated the dynamics were ticking on time in the Tour de Romandie by winning stages and the overall.

"Evans and I were well in Romandie and I hope for a repeat of this," said Horner. A stage win repeat? "No of the good team work we had, but a stage win for me would be great. But I will be tasked to look after Evans in the mountains."

A Bacio from Ballan and Benna

BiciRace.com spoke with Alessandro Ballan after he came off the stage of the 2006 Tour de France team presentation. We made sure to send him best wishes from all of his friends across the world.

You are big in Japan? (Ballan just finished talking with our Japanese colleague of CyclingTime.com.) "I really like it there," clarified the 26 year-old. "Last year was my second time to go to Japan for the Japan Cup. You should go and visit."

We will make sure to visit Japan. So is it still the flavor of "bacio" that you prefer for gelato? [Laughs.] "Yes. It is a good flavor."

All joking aside, Ballan has a lot of work ahead of him in the first stressful week of le Tour. The Italian is helping out his friend and compatriot, Daniele Bennati, in the sprint finishes.

"I will help Benna in the first week and we will try for a stage."

"Yes, I hope to have a win in the first week," added Alessandro Bennati. "With my sickness I had a slow spring. It will be a good Tour. Lets talk later because I have to go."

Benna and Ballan departed for the calm Ill River, a huge contrast to the number of chaotic sprint stages to come.

Valverde Adds Porsche

"I feel great," said Alejandro Valverde yesterday from the Tour team presentation in Strasbourg. The Spaniard is embarking on only his second Tour de France but in some circles he is considered a hot favorite for overall victory.

"I will take it easy in the first week and then try my strength on the stage that finishes near Spain." You want to win close to home for your tifosi? "Yes."

Valverde loves talking about his cars. The latest purchase was another German car... "I just bought a Porsche Cayenne." How many cars do you have? "The Porsche makes three. The other two are a Mini and a Mercedes."

Il Falco Leaves Family

Monday Simonetta Savoldelli gave birth to her second daughter with husband Paolo Savoldelli. The two-time Giro d'Italia champion had only one day with his newly born daughter, Julia, before having to depart for the Tour de France.

"Thanks for the complements," said il Falco Bergamasco when we congratulated him on a new child. "I was with my girl on Monday before I departed for the Tour. Every night during the Tour I will receive a SMS message or photo of my daughter."

Auguri Savoldelli!

93rd Tour de France - presented by , 1 - 23 July
Main, Startlist, Classifications, Tour Favorites, Team CSC versus T-Mobile
Stages and Maps, Key Stages, Overall Map
Photos, The Dust Devil's Daily Wrap
Simoni and Saunier Duval-Prodir Updates
2005 Results

29 June News ...