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1 September 2006

2 September News ...

Red Hot Garzelli Tops Melinda

Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas) continues with his red hot 2006 season. Yesterday in Trento, the likable Varesino flew to the finish line to collect top honors in the 15th Trofeo Melinda. The win, his fourth of the season, should ensure a spot on the Squadra Azzurra for the World Championships and help in the negotiations for his 2007 contract.

"I had thought of where to attack in the final, I knew what to do from last year, only this time I was going for the win," said the 33 year-old, who last year finished second behind Damiano Cunego. "Because of the risks, I ended up going a little earlier."

On the final hard stretch, 300 meters remaining, Garzelli ditched the last of his remaining companions, Siciliano Giovanni Visconti (Milram). Il Varesino completed the third win for his Liquigas squadra in the last five days (Nibali in Plouay and Di Luca in Spain), a team he could be leaving. There are ongoing contract negotiations between the 2000 Giro d'Italia winner and several Italian teams; at this point, number one on the list is non-ProTour squadra Acqua & Sapone.

"I think it is a certainty for the Worlds team," Garzelli continued after the apple race. "I was there in 2004, one of the worst days in my career. It all went wrong. I am able to redeem myself; I know how to ride in support of teammates."

Franco Ballerini, Italian national DS and man in charge of selecting the nine men to make up the Squadra Azzurra, was sitting right next to Garzelli after the win. Ballerini has a lot of decisions on his plate; the top Italians all seem to be winning.

"Stefano showed very well," said Ballerini. "Latching on the last move, then making a grand show. Stefano is a very intelligent and a high level rider, but I don't want to make any promises I can't keep."

Read:
Garzelli in Nobili then Worlds, 23 August
Garzelli Bis in Campione - Worlds Next, 17 August

Season Really Over for Cunego

Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Fondital) officially finished his 2006 with the 15th Trofeo Melinda, a race he won last year before traveling east to win the Japan Cup. Il Piccolo Principe will unofficially close out a successful season with two criteriums this weekend: Saturday in Denmark and Sunday in Belgium. Thursday, Cunego is expected to meet with Lampre-Fondital team officials to discuss a continued contract, past his current one that ends in 2007.

Wet Win for Impressive Pippo in England

Filippo Pozzato (Quick-Step), last on the top step of the podium in the Milano-Sanremo, took his second win of the 2006 season, winning Tour of Britain stage 3. The win by Pippo, as with Garzelli, was a successful bid for Squadra Azzurra and should not hurt in securing a contract for the following seasons.

"It was asked of me to make a strong signal, and I believe that I did that," said Pippo, obviously referring to Franco Ballerini, the Italian national DS.

We are very excited to see the confirmation of Pippo's form; remember he finished third in the Hamburg Cyclassics and sixth in the GP Ouest France. Il Vicentino (24) trucked through the Tour de France, although not realizing any grand results, he did build a solid foundation that is taking him through this late summer.

"I attacked in the first kilometers, on the climb I closed down the gap and on the final last hard bit I emptied it all. I would have liked to go on the penultimate climb, but Boonen crashed when he hit some oil on the road, and so I waited. Here, like Plouay, I went strong. Now I hope that someone [Pippo is referring to Ballerini] will notice this result."

The Golden Killer

Yesterday in stage 6 of the Vuelta a España, Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas) was able to relax a little. The race leader will face more challenging stages today (stage 7), to Ponferrada, and Sunday (stage 9), finishing with the Alto de La Cobertoria. After stage 9, we should have an idea if The Killer is really in Spain for World Championship preparations or to win his first Grand Tour.

Nonetheless, Di Luca had a nice day yesterday, enjoying the race leader's golden jersey after a hard fought stage to Béjar. L'Abruzzese also received complimentary calls from Franco Ballerini, Italian national DS, and his wife, Valentina.

"My wife was raised in the cycling world, so she understands what we go through," said Di Luca, whose wife is the daughter of ex-pro Stefano Giuliani. "Often she will explain to me where and how I made a mistake."

Sunday will be the day for Di Luca not to make any mistakes. If the 30 year-old is still in the Maillot Oro after 5000 meters of climbing, finishing with the climb of Alto de La Cobertoria, then we should see a different tactic for Di Luca, who previously said he was only on the Iberian Peninsula to prepare for the Worlds.

Today and Sunday, BiciRace.com readers will want to pay close attention to Di Luca's main rivals. Today, riders like Vinokourov, Mayo, Menchov and Pereiro are not able to lose anymore time if they want to challenge for the GC. While, Valverde, Kashechkin, Danielson, Sastre and Gomez Marchante will most likely postpone their artilleries until Sunday's six-climb affair.

Read:
The Killer Returns - Vuelta Stage and Oro, 31 August

Zabel and Petacchi Double Up

Yesterday's Vuelta a España stage 6 had us a little confused. Il Treno Milram came rolling into León with both Erik Zabel and Alessandro Petacchi sitting on the back. It was part of Milram's plan.

The Italian from La Spezia ended up doing the last lunge for his German teammate, but then continued his own sprint; Zabel finished with a third and Petacchi with a fourth. There was no first place for Milram, but an important victory for Petacchi, who, for the first time since his May crash that resulted in a fractured kneecap, showed well in a big time sprint.

"I am content with how the sprint went," said Ale-Jet (32). "I still am missing a little force in my left leg. It is taking the speed, but not the letting me accelerate."

Petacchi, if all goes well, can come out of the Vuelta a España with a stage win, aiming further to compete in the World Championships and win the Paris-Tours.

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

Simoni Goes Off Road

Gilberto Simoni (Saunier Duval-Prodir) finished his last road race yesterday, the 15th Trofeo Melinda. Looking for new motivations, and spurred on by his team's bike supplier, Scott, Il Trentino has decided to compete in a few mountain bike races.

Gibo (35) will participate in the following races: Rampilonga, Adamello Bike, Italian Championships, Gimondi Bike and Roc d'Azur (Nice, France).

"I want to find new stimulation," said Simoni on the morning of the Trofeo Melinda. "This time of year, I am a little bored on the road, and also I have no prospect of riding the Worlds. Ballerini is not looking for the type of rider like myself. On the other hand, mountain bike racing will be an interesting challenge."

Smart BiciRace.com readers (and that means all of you) might remember the last time Gibo was on his mountain bike. It was late in 2005, reconnoitering the snow covered climb of Plan de Corones for the 2006 Giro d'Italia. (Note, that climb was canceled, and chopped off the last part of stage 17 (24 May) due to snow storms. But then you already knew that!)

Read:
Simoni Scouts Plan de Corones, 19 November

World Championships, Salzburg (Austria), 24 & 24 September
Worlds Preview
Time Trial, Profile, Overall Map, TT Startlist
Road Race, Profile, Overall Map, RR Startlist

31 August News ...