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28 August 2006

29 August News ...

Vuelta Starts and Bettini Triumphs

The Vuelta a España, starting Saturday with a short team crono, won by Team CSC, really took off Sunday with the first sprint finish. Paolo Bettini (Quick-Step), mixing strength and agility, conquered the best sprinters in the game (minus Boonen and Freire). When crossing the line, looking over his right shoulder, Il Grillo Livornese could see the pain of loss on the faces of McEwen, Zabel and Hushovd.

The final kilometers of the sprint were controlled by Milram, who were working for Erik Zabel (Petacchi was on the back of the gruppo). Italians Sacchi, Ongarato and then Velo did all they could to propel the German to the line, but Zabel could only come up with 10th. Instead it was Il Grillo Livornese, using the momentum of Robbie McEwen, to sneak through and win.

"I like when the sprints are low risk, and in the finale, with lots of curves, the group was elongated," said Bettini, not a pure sprinter but is able to use his abilities to pull one over on the sprinters every now and then. "I became aware that my legs were going well, and that I was not suffering in the hot air. I decided to make the sprint, but with 800 meters, where there was the left curve, I was behind, between 15th and 20th spot."

Il Grillo came through to win but his desire to sprint started after 30K into the stage, when he called the team car and asked for a change of wheels. He started with Campagnolo's Hyperon and switched a wheelset with even more of a higher profile.

Worlds: Bettini, Paolini, Petacchi and Ballerini

La Vuelta a España is already giving Franco Ballerini, Italian national DS, indicators for the construction of the Squadra Azzurra, battling in the World Championships on 24 September in Salzburg, Austria. Paolo Bettini and Luca Paolini made the grade, while Petacchi searched for form on the tail end of the sprint.

"It was a good sign to see him [Paolo Bettini] battle in the sprint amongst Hushovd and McEwen. We know Paolo's abilities and what he can give," said Ballerini after watching Bettini take the scalps of some of the fastest men in the world. Also, there on the line, on Bettini's left, was Luca Paolini.

"I will be the leader of the squadra," confirmed Bettini, before going on to talk about Paolini's roll. "For me it is a matter of pride that also the other nations see me as the favorite. But you remember Verona? [Paolini finished third when Bettini's legs failed.] It is necessary to have an alternative who is very, very dangerous that can help me and is able to win."

Bettini caught wind that Alessandro Petacchi, leader of the 2005 Squadra Azzurra, is thinking of the Worlds. ("If I demonstrate well here in Spain, I want to be at the Worlds," said Petacchi). The Italian Champion, Bettini, does not rate Petacchi's chances high, saying with a smile, "It is better that he prepares for [Giro di] Lombardia."

Ballerini, who will make the final selection of the nine-man squadra, gave no indicator that Petacchi could be selected. Il Toscano prefers to have a team of attackers, unlike in 2005 when he built a team centered on one sprinter, Petacchi. "I have changed my mind regarding the sprinters. The parcours will be very demanding, and we need to have objectives."

Along with Bettini, Ballerini has confirmed Luca Paolini. Il Milanese finished third in yesterday's sprint into Córdoba and showed he is on the rise for the appointment in Salzburg.

"I have become very good at the table," explained Paolini (29), weighing in at 64Kg, compared to Bettini's 61Kg. "I reduced the bread and pasta in my diet. ... Also I have eliminated even the small glass of wine. And I am a long way from the sweets, I don't touch those anymore. I am the skinniest I have ever been in my life. For Salzburg I will arrive at 62Kg, where I want to be at the top."

Read:
Two of Nine Auzzurri: Paolini and Bettini, 19 August
Ballerini: Paolini on the Azzurra Track, 18 August
Paolini Satisfies Ballerini, 4 August
Franco Ballerini Back from Salzburg, 14 December

21 Year-Old Nibali Conquers Experienced Plouay Competition

Little 21 year-old Vincenzo Nibali stomped his authority all over the 70th GP Ouest France field in a big way. The Siciliano of Liquigas out-gunned Juan Antonio Flecha (Rabobank), Yaroslav Popovych (Discovery Channel) and Manuele Mori (Saunier Duval-Prodir) in the sprint after 217 kilometers of racing in the land of cycling, western France.

The move was setup by Nibali's mate, Stefano Garzelli, who attacked early in the race. After Garzelli was brought back, around 10K to go, Nibali launched, immediately followed by Spaniard Flecha. The two were joined by Mori and Popo in the last kilometer but Nibali, who raced in Plouay in 2005, was able to use his fiery form to win the sprint.

"I was convinced that Flecha would win the battle," confessed il Siciliano, second year pro with career victory number two. "When I crossed the line I had such a tremendous joy. I almost wanted to cry. I want to dedicate this win to my girlfriend, Elena, who remains in Sicilia, and to all of my family. I also am thinking of Fabio Casartelli. I said that I would dedicate my first grand victory to him, today is the right moment."

Franco Ballerini, Italian national DS, noted the performance of young Nibali and is now thinking of the 21 year-old as a possible World Championship Squadra Azzurra member. "He is a young rider who is doing great things," said Ballerini.

Nibali, already with his eyes on the Worlds crono, would be honored to ride on the road squadra, saying, "I can not hide that now I am thinking of the maglia azzurra. I would like to be a possible selection for the time trial, but I would be lying if I said that I have not given any thoughts to the road race."

Bravo Nibali!

Ouest France: Ballan, Bennati and Vila

Patxi Vila (Lampre-Fondital) made the significant escape of the GP Ouest France - Plouay, and even though the group was caught, it was a good outing for his Lampre-Fondital squadra.

Vila, who reported to BiciRace.com that he is tired and looking forward to the end of the season, was accompanied by Daniele Bennati, making his return to racing after crashing out of the Tour de France. Bennati's sidekick, Alessandro Ballan, was unable to start the race, and, after a long season, looks unlikely to be on the Worlds team for Salzburg.

Team DS Maurizio Piovani explained, "Bravo Vila, his actions were really good. Unfortunately, Patxi was caught a few kilometers from the finish line, and then we were not in the mix for a top finish. I'm sorry for Ballan's forfeit, caused by some physical problems. But a good performance for Bennati, after a long period of inactivity due to the crash in the Tour."

GP Ouest France, 27 August (217K), Tough French Worlds Tester
Main Page, Overall Map and Profile, Startlist, Photos
Report and Results, 2005 Results

Basso's Dossier Opened, Ullrich Faces Life

Tomorrow at 12.00, in Roma, the anti-doping lawyer representing CONI will officially open the Ivan Basso dossier, which contains the documents from the Guardia Civil of Madrid and the UCI connected with Operación Puerto. After two months of exclusion based upon the application of the ethic codes prior to the Tour de France, Il Varesino will finally be able to refute the accusations, above all, the alleged contact with Spanish Doctor, Eufemiano Fuentes.

Basso, represented by lawyer, Massimo Martelli, will present to CONI (Comitato Olimpico Nazionale Italiano) his case, along with all of his health papers. Franco Cosenza, CONI anti-doping lawyer, will probably take a few days looking over the new documents presented by Basso before deciding to archive this case or defer it to the disciplinary commission of the FCI (Federazione Ciclistica Italiana).

Meanwhile, UCI President Pat McQuaid had some hard words for Jan Ullrich, who was also linked in Operación Puerto and not allowed to start the Tour. "Ullrich was already found positive in 2002 and is risking a life ban."

The UCI president went on to comment about the ongoing Operación Puerto. "I think that there will be other names coming from the Spanish investigation," said the Irishman. "Now the athletes know that they are not able to fear only the anti-doping controls, but also the police."

McQuaid seemed to be taking a softer stance on his early-August proposal of shortening the three Grand Tours, saying, "I am convinced that you can compete in a Grand Tour without doping; maybe we could shorten the stages or add in extra rest days."

Read:
Riis Foresees Basso's End with CSC, 23 August
Di Rocco Continues to Support Basso, 21 August
A Damning Fuentes Fax, 18 August
Vuelta Unlikely as Basso's Case Moves Forward, 5 August
Basso Case Arrives in Italy, 4 August
Di Rocco on Basso, 27 July
Operación Puerto: National Federations Receive Names, 26 July
Basso Comments on Spanish Case, 3 July
Bam! Tour Shaken and Basso Gone, 30 June
Basso, Ullrich and Others Asked to Leave Tour, 30 June

61st Vuelta a España, 26 August - 17 September
Main, Startlist
Stages and Maps, Key Stages, Overall Map
Photos, The Dust Devil's Daily Wrap
2005 Results

26 August News ...