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19 August 2006

21 August News ...

Two of Nine Auzzurri: Paolini and Bettini

Il Grillo Livornese and Il Milanese (Bettini and Paolini) are Franco Ballerini's definite choices for two of the nine posts that will form the Squadra Azzurra 24 September in Salzburg, Austria. The Italian national DS, Ballerini, had already marked Paolo Bettini as a "captain" but recently gave the nod to 29 year-old Luca Paolini, the last Italian to finish on the podium in the World Championships (2004).

Why not? Il Milanese, who just moved to a new home in Faloppio with wife and daughter, Elena and Gaia (5), has had a smoking late summer of racing; certainly helping draw the attention of DS Ballerini. Plus, Bettini has been the best of friends with Paolini since their days on Mapei and then Quick-Step.

"I believe I am an alternative to Bettini for the Worlds. I am working for this," confirmed Paolini.

2006 was a year of change for the Liquigas captain. Last year, racing in the blue-grey colors of Quick-Step, Paolini was there in the service of Bettini and popped up to take a win when the opportunity arrived; much different than having the full-on pressure of the known team captain. That is just what Il Milanese faced for the start of 2006. He began well: a third post in Milano-Sanremo behind Pozzato and Petacchi, but then a series of misfortunes made for a spring of regrets.

"There is the third in Milano-Sanremo, but then the lights went out," confirmed Paolini in regards to the following Classics. "But then I confronted the Tour [de France] with the right mentality and desire. There I understood that the wheels are still turning."

Ballerini will name the full Squadra Azzurra 15 September in Milano at EICMA (trade show). The other seven should come from Di Luca, Tonti, Figueras, Nocentini, Celestino, Moreni, Bruseghin, Tosatto, Garzelli, Ballan and Rebellin.

"I am still not at the top, but racing a Grand Tour I will arrive," Paolini said, referring to the Vuelta a España, starting 26 August. "The national team is still to be constructed, but I know that if I continue like this I will be able to be an alternative to Paolo. Now that I have restarted I don't want to stop myself."

266 kilometers form the 2006 World Championships, held 24 September in Salzburg, Austria. There will be 12 circuits (down from the original 13) of 22.2K and 2400m elevation gain. The hardest section is sure to be the 800 meters midway into the circuit, Elixhausen (547m). Here the riders will confront gradients touching 14% before the climb tops out, leaving 9K to the finish.

"The key point is likely to be the descent leading to that hard section [Elixhausen]," explained Paolini, who raced on the circuit last year during the Tour of Austria. "This will be ideal for launching an attack."

Read:
Ballerini: Paolini on the Azzurra Track, 18 August
Paolini Satisfies Ballerini, 4 August
Franco Ballerini Back from Salzburg, 14 December

A Smashing Quinziato Disarms Sprinters

Yesterday, Italian Manuel Quinziato of Liquigas powered free to take Eneco Tour of Benelux stage 2, his first professional victory. The 26 year-old Bolzanino disarmed the sprinters at -2000m and left them to wither in denial, chased home by Simone Cadamuro (Milram) and Wouter Weylandt (Quick-Step).

The years burn, Quinziato racing for three years with Lampre and one with Saunier Duval-Prodir. "I really wanted this win," explained Il Bolzanino, fifth year pro. "[The win is dedicated] to the people that love me and have believed in me, also in the difficult moments. ... I signed with Liquigas in mid-January and then in mid-February I had an inflammation of my right Achilles tendon. And I had to restart from zero."

Nice win for a nice guy. Good musical tastes: Smashing Pumpkins and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. A studious type: lacking 9 of 26 exams to complete a law degree. "I can't do both things together [racing and studying]. In the winter I don't pedal and recover in the study."

Bertagnolli Close to Liquigas for 2007

Il Trentino, Leonardo Bertagnolli is close to leaving Cofidis and signing with Liquigas for 2007 and 2008. An announcement, via Team Manager Roberto Amadio, is expected in the coming days.

Other names that will pass into the Liquigas fold are Aleksandr Kuschynski, Manuel Beltrán, Roberto Petito and Murilo Fischer, while Dario Andriotto, Marco Milesi, Stefano Zanini, Nicola Loda and Daniele Colli will leave the specialized squadra.

The question mark remains over our Varesino friend, Stefano Garzelli. At this time, the 2000 Giro d'Italia winner is being courted by several teams.

Eddy Merckx Doubles in Giro-Tour

Need a reminder of how great Eddy Merckx was? We do.

Eddy Merckx (61) was the only racer to score a double for three times in the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France, in 1970, 1972 and 1974. Big Mig, Miguel Indurain, came close, winning the magical double twice, 1992 and 1993.

In 1973, like only Alfredo Binda before, Merckx took the Maglia Rosa from day one and held on to it until the last day of the Giro. After Merckx, the only other rider to accomplish this was Gianni Bugno (1990). It maybe made for a boring race, but it was an indicator of the strength of the Cannibal.

When there are no races on TV make sure to pop in old race footage of Merckx in action. Every one of his pedal strokes gives a thousand lessons to be learned.

BiciRace.com salutes Eddy Merckx.

Read:
Eddy Merckx is 60, 17 June 2005

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

18 August News ...