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30 August 2006

31 August News ...

Zabel - Enough Seconds and Thirds

36 year-old Erik Zabel has won 186 times in his career but lately there have been many placings and not the top step of the podium. There are so many times we can count that the German has stood on the podium next to the smiling race winner, dreaming of what could have been. Well, yesterday he set matters to right by taking Vuelta a España stage 4, sprinting clear of Hushovd and Nazon.

We have to cast our minds back to his farewell victory with T-Mobile, the 2005 Paris-Tours, to remember the German's last big win. Before yesterday's stage, only scoring one victory in May, it is normal to think that Zabel has lost a little bit of the zap in his legs. But Il Treno Milram went into action yesterday for the German, and this time he delivered.

"I am not used to having a lead-out train, sometimes it is better that I make my sprint off of the others' wheels," commented the 36 year-old after his win.

Bang, bang, bang. The Milram sprint train rolled onto the medieval streets of Cáceres, not stopping once to let off passengers, only switching drivers every so often; first Fabio Sacchi, then Alberto Ongarato and finally the finisher, Marco Velo. Velo roared into town, doing what he does best, giving the final push to the line for his caption, pealing off at -160m.

Il Milanese, Sacchi, after the sprint: "Erik is a great. In ten years of racing I have seen a lot, but he has something more. Sure he has a little less in his legs than in the golden years but with his head he is able to do what he wants."

Zabel is riding the Vuelta for stage wins, but also to build for the World Championships. "The Vuelta is the best preparation for the Worlds," explained the 36 year-old German. "I think in Salzburg I will be able to play my cards; the parcours reminds me of Lisbon, in 2001, where I was able to finish fifth."

Even though BiciRace.com often ridicules the German for his numerous second and third places, we were very happy to see such a great win by Zabel in important race. Like it the 2005 Paris-Tours, with his farewell win to T-Mobile, this Vuelta win was a special moment for mister consistency.

Relax-GAM: Kickin' It Non-ProTour Style

We love the Relax-GAM squadra, not just because of their all-red kits or their classic blue Gios frames mounted with Campagnolo, but because they are out on the front of the Vuelta a España everyday. Their tactics may not garner wins but they gain fans and make the racing exciting.

As the only non-ProTour squadra in the 61st Vuelta, they are forced into such "crazy" tactics because they lack the depth of a ProTour team, not having a serious sprinter or threat for the GC. Other teams would not send their men on such suicide missions, like Raul García de Mateo in yesterday's stage 4, but for Relax-GAM it is one of their best options for precious TV-time.

First squadra off the line for the opening team crono, the Relax-GAM boys were also represented in the first significant escape of the Vuelta, when Mario De Sárraga flew solo in stage two. Then, yesterday in stage 4, Raul García de Mateo went free for 118 kilometers in 40°C temperatures.

Raul was satisfied when crossing the finishing line, but he admitted that the frontal winds prevented from gaining more time in his escape, which at one point touched 6'30". Jorge García, also of Relax-GAM, gave it a go after Raul was caught but he was quickly pulled back. The two men were congratulated by their Team DS, Jesús Suárez Cueva, and greatly admired by the viewing public for their bravado.

BiciRace.com salutes la Squadra Rossa.

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

Basso Waits for 12 September

Yesterday in Roma, Ivan Basso spent two hours with the anti-doping lawyer of CONI, Franco Cosenza, in regards to his alleged contact with Spanish Doctor, Eufemiano Fuentes. Basso (28) and his lawyer, Massimo Martelli, presented documents in an attempt to counter the evidence found by Spanish investigators during the ongoing Operación Puerto.

At 14.00, Cosenza came out of the meeting and read the following brief statement: "Mister Basso responded in a thorough manner to all of the disputed points, now I reserve the time to carefully examine the documents in my possession. The hearing will adjourn 12 September, at 12.30."

Il Varesino, winner of the 2006 Giro d'Italia, suspended 61 days ago by his CSC squadra, will have to wait an additional two weeks before he knows if he will be able to continue racing. Complicating matters is the amount of new evidence that is coming from the Guardia Civil out of Spain; in their continued Operación Puerto investigation, the Guardia Civil have passed on new documents to the UCI, who will soon pass them on to the national cycling federations so that the documents can be added to the riders' dossiers.

Basso, exciting the CONI (Comitato Olimpico Nazionale Italiano) offices showed a look of confidence, but one wonders what is being processed in his mind. He shared a few words with the press regarding his racing career and contact with CSC.

"I want to calm everyone that is waiting for my return," said Basso. "It is clear that I have never used dope, there is no need to discuss this. I will soon return to race. I am continuing to train. I don't know when [I will return], it does not depend on me. Because of this I have missed the Tour? I am young; there will be more to come."

Ivan continued to explain his relationship with CSC and Team Manager, Bjarne Riis, "The hard words of Riis? Only the things I have read in the papers. Nothing is true. CSC is my team, I still have two years in my contract, and I have never had any aggressive communications of a split. There is no need to clarify anything with Riis, there is not any motive."

As part of the hearing with CONI, CSC sent their press manager, Brian Nygaard. The Dane observed the proceedings between Martelli and Cosenza, presumably to report back to Bjarne Riis the progress of the case.

"His contract is still exists and with Riis he has continued to talk. I know that they hear from each other often," confirmed the Danish press manager on the relationship between Riis and Basso. "We will wait, like everyone, for the CONI lawyer to put everything in black and white."

BiciRace.com will also wait until 12 September, but we expect to be back before then with new Basso revelations coming from Spain. Stay tuned.

Read:
Operación Puerto: Basso in Roma, 29 August
Basso's Dossier Opened, Ullrich Faces Life, 28 August
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

29 August News ...