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5 September 2006

6 September News ...

Hincapie Back in Stars-n-Stripes

George Hincapie of Discovery Channel won the USA National Championships. Sunday, eight years after his first Championship win in 1998, the 33 year-old topped the field of all-American riders in the 194.6 kilometer road race. Disco Hincapie crossed the line with a small advantage over Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner), followed shortly after by Danny Pate (TIAA-CREF), who sprinted for third.

The venue, moved from Philadelphia to Greenville, South Carolina was the first time in 22 years the race had been open to only USA riders. Hincapie, who makes his residence in Greenville, knew the roads well and surely passed on his knowledge to his house guest, David Zabriskie (Team CSC), winner of the Crono Championship a few days prior. Second placed Leipheimer was happy for his compatriot; the two will be teammates next year when the Californian makes the switch from German Gerolsteiner to Disco.

Pate rode well, and so did his 24 year-old teammate, William Frischkorn. Impressive rides by Frischkorn's former Saturn teammates: Phil Zajicek (Navigators), in 8th, and Tim Johnson (Health Net-Maxxis), 22nd.

Spain Names Crono Team for Worlds

Spanish national team boss, Francisco "Paco" Antequera, has announced his two entrants for the World Championship individual men's Time Trial (21 September) will be Iván Gutiérrez (Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears) and Luis León Sánchez (Astaná).

Antequera has also announced that fast man, Oscar Freire (Rabobank), will figure in to his plans for the Men's road race squadra. Evidently there was some doubt as to the participation of Freire due to some health issues, but the Spaniard is feeling well and will line up with his yet to be announced teammates. As a preparation, Freire will hone his form in the Tour de Pologne.
- Paco

Read:
Paco Antequera Returns, 15 August

Bettini Building for Worlds

Paolo Bettini of Quick-Step has had a great start to the Vuelta a España, and desires to leave the Iberian Peninsula with hot form to take to the World Championships, 24 September in Salzburg. Il Grillo Livornese topped stage 2 into Córdoba and was back again on Sunday with a double escape.

"I am going well. If I was not going so well then I would not have been in front on Sunday, in a stage that was not even adapted to my style," said Bettini (32) to La Gazzetta dello Sport. On Sunday's stage 9, the Italian lasted for about 60 kilometers with an early-morning escape before being forced to return to the peloton. After a "rest", while covering three more categorized climbs, Bettini made a solo effort with 18 kilometers remaining.

There are no plans for Bettini to contest the sprint in Madrid on 17 September; the Italian will say "ciao" to the Vuelta on 13 September (stage 17) after arriving in Granada. From Southern Spain, Bettini will travel back to his home in Cecina (Toscana) to spend some time with his family prior to the World Championships.

"I have to go home for a short break and to see my daughter, otherwise she will be mad with me and no longer talk to me," Bettini continued. Bettini's wife, Monica, and daughter, Veronica, are watching their favorite rider race in Spain via television. Bettini, after the Worlds, will focus on harvesting his olives for olive oil and race some six day races this winter (he is still looking for a partner).

But the olive oil and track racing will have to wait until Bettini returns from Austria. "I am lacking only this victory to make my career perfect," Bettini commented on the Worlds. "And also the Tour de Flanders, but one at a time."

"The Kazakhs [Vinokourov and Kashechkin]," said Bettini of his most feared rivals. "Here [at the Vuelta] they are looking very uncontrollable. Then there is Boogerd who could be one to arrive solo. Freire is always dangerous, and Valverde, who I have seen go so strong here."

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

Garzelli with Acqua & Sapone

Stefano Garzelli will be leaving Liquigas at the end of 2006. Going from green and into the red, Il Varesino will join Acqua & Sapone for 2007 and 2008, after signing a two-year deal with the Italian-based professional continental team.

The 33 year-old has been on red-hot form all year long, narrowly missing out on his season opener, Milano-Torino, but then going on to win the Rund um den Henninger Turm, a stage of the Tour de Luxembourg, the Tre Valli Varesine and the Trofeo Melinda. His season win tally of four, is only topped by his 2000 season, where he won five races, including the overall of the Giro d'Italia.

Congratulations to Stefano Garzelli. We are sure that the Italian's experience and talent will provide a bright future for the suds squadra.

Serpellini Triples

Marco Serpellini (Unibet.com) has tripled. Il Bergamasco (34) and his wife, Barbara, have welcomed their third baby, Giulia, after Alessia (7) and Paolo (4).

BiciRace.com sends our best wishes out to la famiglia Serpellini. Auguri!

Ullrich and Sara Wed

Jan Ullrich and Sara Steinhauser were hitched over the weekend. The 1997 Tour Champion and Sara, sister of former T-Mobile teammate Tobias Steinhauser, were married in a civil ceremony amongst immediate family and friends.

According to German sources, the two will have a more elaborate affair next week in the Alps; so secret that the exact location will only be supplied to the guests only 48 hours in advance.

The 32 year-old German has been with Sara (28) since June 2005. Ullrich started dating Sara shortly after splitting from long-time girlfriend Gaby Weis, mother of Ullrich's daughter, Sarah.

Read:
Ullrich Plans Wedding, 24 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

4 September News ...