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31 July 2006

1 August News ...

Pozzato Third Behind Greats

Filippo Pozzato (Quick-Step) came very close to repeating last year's success in the Hamburg Cyclassics. Eight centimeters separated Pippo from winner Oscar Freire (Rabobank) and slightly less from second place Erik Zabel (Milram). Nonetheless, finishing third behind two greats is a confirmation that the 24 year-old is on level with the best in one-day racing.

Il Vicentino, winner of this year's Milano-Sanremo, just finished three weeks of racing in France. In the period of seven days he went from his 133rd overall in the Tour de France to a third in Germany's biggest one day race (this year known as the Vattenfall Cyclassics), a race much more suited to Pippo's style.

"The placing has giving me some confidence," said Pippo after the race. "I showed today that I am up with the best."

"The night before I was not feeling well, maybe because I was nervous. I am sorry for the team, who did their best for me. With 80 kilometers to go I crashed and it was Paolo Bettini who brought me back into the group. Then in the sprint, Tosatto did a number to close the gap after the final ascent of the Waseberg. ... I started my sprint perfectly but there was a headwind, and in the last 30 meters I paid."

In the wake of the Tour de France debacle, Pippo, along with the many other Italians in yesterday's Hamburg Cyclassics, sent out a strong signal that their country's cycling is alive and strong. The finale was marked by Ballan attacking on the Waseberg and a six-man, all-Italian move, with Rebellin, Moletta, Paolini, Celestino, Figueras and Mori.

Next on Il Vicentino's schedule is GP Camaiore (3 August) before a well earned rest. After a three-week break, Pippo will restart with the GP Plouay (27 August), followed by the Tour of Britain (29 August - 3 September). Before his end of August return, Pippo is expected to sign a new contract; Liquigas is high on the list of possibilities but his current squadra, Quick-Step, is also back in the frame.

Zabel Second in Hamburg

Yesterday, Erik Zabel had the Milram machinery in place for a chance at repeating his 2001 win in the Hamburg Cyclassics but ended the day second to Freire. The closing kilometers leading to the finish on Mönckerbergstrasse, teammates Celestino and Knees were present for the German hard-man and to give their German sponsor good representation.

Zabel, winner of last year's Paris-Tours, was desperate to score a victory for his new squadra but was bettered by Spaniard Freire. The German Classic was similar to an Italian Classic, the 2004 Milano-Sanremo, when the same Freire nipped Zabel by centimeters.

"It is truly a shame," said the 36 year-old after placing second. "I knew that there were some fast men in our group and it would be difficult to come out on top. It was a great race for my team and we showed ourselves to be strong in the final phase. Now I hope I can come back and do well at the Deutschland Tour."

Vattenfall Cyclassics, 30 July, 243.2K, A Race for the Hard Sprinter
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2005 Results

Belgians Back France, Spain and Italy Against ProTour

The Belgian cycling federation has joined with three cycling nation super-powers in support of their opposition to the UCI's ProTour. In Paris, on the last day of the Tour de France, the latter three cycling federations issued statement that the UCI ProTour should end.

Belgium joined with their European neighbors in asking for a redesign of the management of cycling with responsibility and unity. Belgium's voice is highly regarded; they have four of the most important Classics: Tour of Flanders, Gent-Wevelgem, Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

Combined with Italy, France and Spain, 18 of the total number of ProTour races are represented by these four countries. Now that the countries are organized the UPTC (UCI ProTour Council) will be forced to respond.

Valverde Returns for San Sebastián and Vuelta

Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears), who went down hard in Tour de France stage 3 and fractured his collarbone, will be back next Sunday to contest Spain's one-day Clásica San Sebastián.

The 26 year-old Spaniard is building his base, currently riding over 100 kilometers a day. The base will be needed, after San Sebastián, Valverde will continue his racing with the three-week Vuelta a España.

Valverde was touted as a possible contender for this year's Tour and will be eager to prove his overall capabilities in the Vuelta, where, in 2003, he once finished third. The Spaniard will find the final mountains stages in southern Spain to his liking, and the 50+ kilometers of time trialing should be manageable.

If all goes to plan, we will see a fiery Valverde exit la Vuelta and fly to Austria for a chance at the World's rainbow jersey.

LeMond Wants Landis to Speak

Triple Tour de France champion Greg LeMond hopes that good can come out of the 2006 Tour debacle. The American hopes that if his compatriot, Floyd Landis (Phonak), is found guilty then the resulting "earthquake" will help change cycling for the better.

LeMond, the first American to win la Grand Boucle in 1986, believes that if Landis is found to be positive for an elevated Testosterone/Epitestosterone ratio then the cyclist should have courage and admit guilt.

"Floyd, if he's innocent, he should absolutely defend himself. But if the sample is positive, I hope it's not denial, denial, denial like many other athletes have done. ... We need to clean the sport up," LeMond noted.

"There could be a silver lining for cycling. This is the first time in Tour history that the winner has tested positive. It takes courage to announce the winner is positive. ... It seems like there's been minor tremors over the past few years. The sport needs an earthquake."

The analysis on Landis' B Sample is expected in the next three days, if not today. Expect to hear more from Tour champion Greg LeMond as the Landis story develops.

Read:
Landis on Booze Binge, 29 July
Landis Wants to Clear Name, 28 July
Tour Positive is Landis, 27 July
Tour de France Positive, 27 July

93rd Tour de France - presented by , 1 - 23 July

29 July News ...