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6 September 2006

7 September News ...

Sergio Paulinho Continues Astaná Success

Sergio Paulinho added to the Astaná party that is going on in the Vuelta a España by taking yesterday's stage 10 after attacking from a day-long escape. Surely fueled on by the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan visiting the team over last weekend, the 26 year-old Portuguese joined an early morning escape which was able to survive to Museo de Altamira where, at 800 meters to go, Paulinho turned the screws.

It was the most important victory of Paulinho's total tally of eight, which prior to the Vuelta have never included a win outside of his home country of Portugal. Before yesterday, Paulinho was best known for that balmy day in Athens, when he finished second to Paolo Bettini in the Olympic Road Race. After the silver medal performance he was snatched up by Liberty Seguros-Würth for 2005.

The S-Bomb - "This win is for Manolo Saiz, who for me is a very important person. It is thanks to him that I am here. He is a special man," Paulinho said of the former team manager. "Manolo, like everyone in the squadra, has suffered a lot in recent times. We have passed some hard moments but now we have returned to the top."

Surely the current Astaná management were not happy about their Portuguese rider, who is moving to Discovery Channel next season, dropping the S-bomb (Saiz). Paulinho associated a Vuelta highlight, three in a row for Astaná, with the person that brought the downfall of Liberty Seguros-Würth in the Operación Puerto days.

"We were racing in our home today," Paulinho continued. "Saiz is from Torrelavega [start town for stage 11] and [Team DS] Herminio Díaz Zabala lives four kilometers from the finish; he explained to me in perfect detail the exact point of where I should attack."

Astaná, essentially already having a successful Vuelta, will now want to focus on moving Vinokourov or Kashechkin into the maillot oro. Vino has won two stages and Kash has been dangerously close to the leader's jersey. The two-headed Kazakh monster still threatens. Other teams don't know who will strike next. Vino? Kash? Or the deadly double Kazakh combo?

"Three stages are already a good result, now we will make a strong effort for the maillot oro with Vinokourov or with Kashechkin," continued Paulinho on the deadly Kazakh threat sweeping the Vuelta. "Even if Valverde and Sastre are strong, it will not be easy to win. After the fallout in France, we are very motivated with a strong desire to race and win."

Rebellin Barely Misses Vuelta Win

Out of the 15 men that made up the Vuelta a España stage 10 escape, Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) showed the strongest legs. Il Veronese was there for the bang-up on the Alto del Mirador de Cildad, then, nearly 12K later, he was there to cover most of the attacks that fired in the final kilometers. But he missed the winning attack by Sergio Paulinho.

"It went bad for me," said Tin-Tin (35) after the stage. "I made my efforts to watch Ventoso and Florencio but it turned out that Paulinho was the freshest. Looking back in the escape, it was Paulinho who worked the least amount. Then, when he went at 800 meters to go I hesitated for a moment and that was an error. I had hoped that Karpets would go further to give me a hand, but at 300 meters I was alone. I attacked but it was too late. I will make sure to try again, maybe tomorrow."

Rebellin is Italian and, of course, he is thinking of the World Championships. The rider from Verona has been on the phone lately with Franco Ballerini, Italian National DS, and yesterday's strong ride should help Rebellin's chances of arriving in Salzburg in the maglia azzurra. Ballerini and Captain Bettini, will have to decide if Rebellin can be counted on to play a supporting role in the team's bid for the rainbow jersey.

"I think I have given DS Ballerini a good signal, which is what he was asking for," Tin-Tin continued. "Bettini will captain but I believe that I will be able to help. I am not asking for a captain role. ... Ballerini has told me to stay calm. I don't have a 100% guarantee but I believe that there is a strong possibility."

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

Bennati is Back with Poland Win

After suffering from a bad crash and subsequent abandon in Tour de France stage 16, Daniele Bennati (Lampre-Fondital) is back to his winning self. In the Tour de Pologne stage 2, using the experience of last year's two stage wins, Benna scored one in the 2006 edition.

"This victory was based on the work of the entire team," reflected Benna (25) after his 15th career victory.

Benna crashed in the finale of stage 1 but luckily there were no side effects, enabling the rider from Arezzo to come back in yesterday's 119K run to Elblag. Benna, with the help of Daniele Righi, Marzio Bruseghin and then Alessandro Ballan, won his first race, fifth of the season, since the crash on the descent of the Col du Galibier.

"In the finale I was a little isolated because of the crash at the front of the group. Van Heeswijk went long but I continued to stay protected near the barriers, then coming off for the sprint."

The race continues today with the longest of the stages, a 225K stage to Torun. Benna will turn his energies over to working for his friend and teammate.

"There are another two stages that suit me, and that I will target, but for the overall we will work for Ballan."

Millar to Salzburg

David Millar (Saunier Duval-Prodir) will form part of the three-man British squadra for the 2006 World Championships. After winning the 2003 World Time Trial Championships in Hamilton, the Scot admitted to doping and had his title stripped. The 2006 event in Salzburg will be the first time back to the World Championships for Millar, who only returned to professional racing this last July when he took to the start line of the Tour de France.

British Team Manager, Dave Brailsford, explained that Millar is among the best riders available for the time trial. Bradley Wiggins (Cofidis), who finished seventh in the crono last year, has decided not to ride, and Millar is the only other top-flight cronoman the country has. For the road race on 24 September, Millar will be joined by Roger Hammond (Discovery Channel) and Russell Downing (DFL-CyclingNews-Litespeed).

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

Boonen and Pozzato to 86th Paris-Bruxelles

Tom Boonen and Filippo Pozzato will head Quick-Step for the 86th running of Paris-Bruxelles, next Saturday. Both riders scored in the recent Tour of Britain. World Champion Tom Boonen, 21 victories in 2006, will search to condition himself for defending his rainbow jersey in the World Championships, 24 September in Salzburg. Pippo, winner of this year's Milan-Sanremo, will aim for the win in Bruxelles to strengthen the chances of being selected for the Squadra Azzurra. Franco Ballerini, Italian National DS, announces the team on 15 September, and Pippo could use another win to secure his spot.

Hammond Leaves Disco

Roger Hammond (32) will join the Pink Posse for 2007. The Brit will leave Discovery Channel after two years, joining the German T-Mobile squadra, which will be entirely revamped for 2007.

Reports are that Hammond was not offered a renewal contract from Johann Bruyneel's Disco team, where he spent two seasons. The Brit will join compatriot, Mark Cavendish, who was also recently signed by T-Mobile.

5 September News ...