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2 September 2006

4 September News ...

Valverde Strikes

Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears) has had one heck of a season, winning La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège this spring, followed by his stunning return in the Vuelta a España after missing out on the Tour de France. Yesterday in stage 7 of the Vuelta, Valverde stormed the Alto de El Morredero, trading blows with the best before gunning down Vinokourov in the final 250 meters for victory.

Caisse d'Epargne showed strong solidarity, and they had too if they wanted the win. There were riders like Manuel Beltrán (Discovery Channel), Alexander Vinokourov, Andrey Kashechkin (both Astaná) and Luis Pérez (Cofidis) to contain. Karpets, Arroyo and Rodríguez spilled their blood to make sure that Valverde was able to contest the victory. It was Joaquím Rodríguez who did the final polish for Valverde, enabling the The White Bullet to trample the late attack by Vinokourov.

"I was able to do this phenomenal finale thanks to the work of my team. This victory is important for my morale but also for the 20" bonus it will give me in the overall," said the 26 year-old Spaniard from Murcia, now only five seconds off race leader Janez Brajkovic (Discovery Channel).

Di Luca - After the Gold Rush

The 61st Vuelta a España race leadership changed hands yesterday, from an Italian to a Slovenian. Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas) lost the Maillot Oro to Janez Brajkovic (Discovery Channel) after suffering on the 154K stretch from León to Ponferrada, in particular the final demanding 18K up the Alto de El Morredero.

The Killer had a disastrous beginning to 2006, especially when you consider his astounding 2005 season, but the second half of 2006 looks to be a resurrection of The Killer. And, although losing time and the race lead yesterday, L'Abruzzese still is in contention for the race overall while building his form for the World Championships (24 September).

"My preparations are not perfected," said Di Luca (30) after yesterday's finish. "I could have used a climb before the final climb. Already on Wednesday [when he took the race lead with the stage 5 win], I was suffering before becoming unblocked, and then I went on to win. Today there was a long flat before the climb, but then I was able to recover very well, and, considering up front they were fiercely battling, I did great not to lose a lot of time."

Will tomorrow's stage, a six-climb beast, be more suited to Di Luca? We think so. Even if he is not able to take back the maillot oro, it will be a chance for The Killer to gain another stage win.

"The stage to Cobertoria is about 5000 meters of climbing. It is like a Giro stage in the Alps. Maybe it will go a lot better for me," Di Luca added regarding his Vuelta chances.

Don't forget, the main (stated) reason L'Abruzzese is racing the Vuelta is so that he can arrive in Salzburg in top form. His objective is to help the Squadra Azzurra take the rainbow jersey.

"I am still not in the top of my condition," stated Di Luca with rainbows in his eyes. "This is perhaps a good thing for me, seeing is how my eyes remain fixed on Salzburg. I am only able to rise."

Read:
The Golden Killer, 1 September
The Killer Returns - Vuelta Stage and Oro, 31 August

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

Savoldelli to Astaná

Could Il Falco Bergamasco fly in the light blue Kazakh colors of Astaná next year? Maybe so. The double Giro d'Italia winner is contemplating leaving the American outfit of Discovery Channel and joining Alexander Vinokourov's army.

It would be a strange reunion of old T-Mobile/Telekom mates. Savoldelli, Vino, along with recently added Andreas Klöden and Matthias Kessler, would ban together to form a group who last rode together in 2003 and 2004 under the pink colors of T-Mobile/Telekom.

Astaná, led by Marc Biver, will fly a Swiss flag in 2007. Biver is the former organizer of the Tour de Romandie and Tour de Suisse.

Read:
T-Mobile Loses Klöden to Astaná, 26 August

Squadra Azzurra Salzburg Travel Arrangements

Franco Ballerini, Italian National DS, will announce the nine-men and two reserves that will make up the Squadra Azzurra for the World Championships on 15 September. The group of 11 will meet for several training sessions, including 18 September in Varese, before departing two days later, Wednesday, for Salzburg.

The men's road team will be traveling from Malpensa airport via a chartered airplane, while the two Italian cronomen (likely Pinotti and Nibali) will travel by bus, leaving on the 17th for their race on the 21st.

USA Cycling Says No Worlds for Hamilton

Tyler Hamilton, who tested positive for blood doping in the 2004 Vuelta a España while riding for Phonak, will not participate in the 2006 World Road Championships. USA Cycling announced on Friday they would not select the 35 year-old Hamilton, stating he has not ridden, and thus does not qualify for one of the nine spots on the American national team.

Hamilton's doping suspension will end 22 September, just two days before the road championships in Salzburg. Hamilton, the 2004 Olympic Time Trial Champion, would have better chances in the crono championship, but they will be contested on the 21st.

Adding to Hamilton's woes, the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) has indicated that Hamilton will not be allowed to ride in the ProTour during the next two years, based on current ProTour rules. This rule basically ends any chance of Hamilton riding Europe's biggest races. Il Americano might try his luck on a non-ProTour squadra, but these teams are essentially forced to follow the same ProTour rules. Res ipsa loquitur.

Read:
CAS Rejects Hamilton's Appeal, 13 February 2006
Tyler Hamilton Meets with CAS, 10 January 2006
Tyler Hamilton Files Appeal with CAS, 2 June 2005
Hamilton Receives Two-Year Suspension, 18 April 2005

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

Peter Van Petegem Moves to Quick-Step

36 year-old Belgian, Peter Van Petegem, after five years with the Lotto formation, will cross over to Belgium's other super-squadra, Quick-Step, for 2007. Joining with world champion Tom Boonen, the move will give Quick-Step the two biggest Belgians currently riding.

The winner of two Tour de Flanders and one Paris-Roubaix was rumored to pass to Patrick Lefevere's squadra earlier this year, but just yesterday it was revealed that the Belgian had actually signed. Van Petegem, pro since 1992, with 33 wins, signed a one-year contract for 2007.

Read:
Van Petegem: "Ciao" to Davitamon-Lotto, 2 June
Van Petegem Fractures Collarbone but Courted by Quick-Step, 13 April

1 September News ...