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8 September 2006

9 September News ...

Paolini Takes Guadalajara

The Vuelta a España is proving to be very rewarding profitable for the Italians. First it was Paolo Bettini showing his guns in a sprint, then it was Di Luca taking his season's first win on the slopes of La Covatilla and yesterday, it was the turn of Il Milanese, Luca Paolini (Liquigas). The 29 year-old scored the biggest win of his six-year career and carried on the tradition of Italians winning in Guadalajara.

The last two times the Vuelta has finished in Guadalajara, it has been an Italian taking victory. In 1999 Cristian Moreni took honors and in 2001 it was the turn of Guido Trenti (he is registered with an American license). But the win meant so much more to Paolini, who left Quick-Step at the end of last year to strike out on his own as a team leader.

"It is my most important victory and the first in a Grand Tour," said a relieved Paolini after his season's second success, the other being GP Camaiore last month. "It is special that this victory arrived before a very important period. Now I am thinking of the Worlds, but also want to do well in other races."

"It was a hard start to the season and for that reason I dedicate this win to my Wife and parents. I was placed as a team leader from the start of this season but then I lost concentration and had my doubts. Thankfully the squadra did not put pressure on me and I was able to have time to recuperate."

Along side Paolini is The Killer, Danilo Di Luca. In the Vuelta, both the Italians are building for the World Championships at the end of this month, and both of the Italians have given Franco Ballerini ample reason to be selected as part of the Squadra Azzurra.

"I am very happy for Paolini's rise," said Di Luca yesterday while seeking out Paolini to give congratulations on a win well deserved. "The responsibilities for the Worlds will be decided by Ballerini. Both Paolini and I are candidates who can play our cards and compliment one another."

So far, Ballerini, Italian National DS, has only confirmed the spots of Bettini and Di Luca in the Squadra Azzurra. The other seven riders will be made known on 15 September, when Ballerini makes the announcement at Italy's bicycle trade show, EICMA.

Read:
Worlds: Bettini, Paolini, Petacchi and Ballerini, 28 August
Two of Nine Auzzurri: Paolini and Bettini, 19 August
Ballerini: Paolini on the Azzurra Track, 18 August
Paolini Satisfies Ballerini, 4 August
Franco Ballerini Back from Salzburg, 14 December

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

Bettini Thrilled for his Old Mate

Yesterday in Vuelta a España stage 12, Luca Paolini took victory from an escape group of 12; launching his missile with four kilometers to the finish in Guadalajara. In the same group was his old teammate and friend, Paolo Bettini (Quick-Step). Bettini, although friend, wanted the victory just as bad as Paolini and there was no case of gift giving. After the launch of the Paolini Missile, Bettini chased with Bart Dockx, but they were unable to close the gap.

"There is no need to hide it, I am happy for the victory of Luca," said the Italian Champion after the stage. "The only think I don't like is that we are no longer teammates. I know the meaning of the word that is often misused: friendship. We are friends and in our relationship cycling does not get in the way. It is first grand win and it will not be the last one you will see. I also have to give big thanks to my teammate, [Kevin] Hulsmans."

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

Benna Does Poland, Twice

2 and 4. Last year Daniele Bennati sprinted to victory in stages 2 and 4 of the Tour de Pologne and this year he has repeated. The Lampre-Fondital sprinter claimed stage 2 three days ago, showing his form was back after crashing out of the Tour de France, then he returned yesterday to take the stage along with the race leader's yellow jersey.

"The second place yesterday [stage 3] really irritated me, I did not want to leave Poland without taking another win," explained the rider from Arezzo (25) after taking his 6th season win. "Taking the stage is great, then also the leader's jersey, well, it is just like icing on the cake."

Bennati will have a hard time keeping a grip on the leader's jersey; today's stage takes the peloton in the mountains for the first time in the 63rd Tour de Pologne. Gaps should open in the GC, as riders tackle the finish to Jelenia Góra.

"I do not consider myself a pure sprinter," reasoned Benna. "On the climbs I am able to dig in. I will try to defend this jersey."

Read:
Bennati is Back with Poland Win, 6 September

Basso's Hearing Postponed to 29 September.

Yesterday, CONI (Comitato Olimpico Nazionale Italiano) announced a delay in the investigation of the Ivan Basso dossier, stating: "The summons of cyclist Ivan Basso is postponed, from 12 September to 29 September at 12.00. The delay, requested by [CONI] antidoping lawyer Franco Cosenza, is to provide more time for complete verifications in the case."

29 August 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. After the meeting, Cosenza said "now I reserve the time to carefully examine the documents in my possession."

The request for more time is reasonable considering additional information that was handed over by the Guardia Civil and Cosenza's contact with other Italian investigators. In the last days Cosenza contacted Bergamo anti-doping lawyer Cristina Rota, who is investing the possibility of doping during the 2006 Giro d'Italia, and NAS (Anti-Narcotics Group) Carabinieri in Brescia, who are also investigating Basso.

"I understand the judiciary has changed the date, but I remain respectful and confident as always," said Basso yesterday. "But I am exhausted. I don't see when we will be able to close this event positively. I repeat what I've already said: I am absolutely not involved in anything. I'll keep on repeating this. I'm respectful of everybody, and I would like to be listened to and believed."

After Franco Cosenza is finished looking over the documents presented he will decide to archive the case or defer it to the disciplinary commission of the FCI (Federazione Ciclistica Italiana).

Read:
Basso Waits for 12 September
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

7 September News ...