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13 September 2006

14 September News ...

Pre-Worlds Di Luca Satisfied

Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas) showed grit in yesterday's Vuelta a España stage 16. The 30 year-old Abruzzese was the first Italian of the day, and at one point looked ready to play for victory but the upper slopes of the Calar Alto tightened its grip and Di Luca closed the day in 12th, 1'19" back on winner Antón.

The Vuelta has been a success, especially considering that Di Luca is here in Spain to prepare for the World Championships. Winning stage 5 to La Covatilla and currently occupying seventh in the GC is fitting for a rider of Di Luca's caliber, and should provide the training and mental strength needed for an all out World Championship assault on 24 September.

"I suffered a little bit in the cold, especially after the second descent but I don't want that to be an excuse," The Killer commented yesterday after the stage finish. "I really went well and I am happy with my efficiency. It is only that there are about five or so others that are more prepared than I am, and seemingly have another gear. Now I will head to Austria with good spirits."

It is likely that today's Vuelta run from Adra to Granada will be the last stage for Di Luca. The Italian will join with Paolo Bettini (Quick-Step) in saying "adios" to a successful Vuelta.

Read:
Di Luca - After the Gold Rush, 2 September
The Golden Killer, 1 September
The Killer Returns - Vuelta Stage and Oro, 31 August

Vino Unable to Shake Valverde

"Today I had good legs and I attacked, but Valverde also was very strong and it has been impossible to leave him". Alexander Vinokourov of Astaná tried not once, not twice, but up to five times to rid himself of race leader Alejandro Valverde on yesterday's finish of Vuelta a España stage 16. The last 4500 meters of the Observatorio Astronómico de Calar Alto was a launch pad for Vino's missiles, but unfortunately none of them hit the target; Valverde held on to every one of the Kazakh's launches.

This is the Vino we know and love; he is edgy and unwilling to waiver. The 32 year-old Kazakh added, "Valverde asked me to make the pace, but I said to him that I could not, and that I was only interested in attacking."

The day's final climb sorted out the classification, at least as far as Astaná is concerned. Andrey Kashechkin, who had been sitting in second overall, slipped from second to fourth overall. The wet and cold conditions did not help when the Kazakh suffered from "hunger knock."

Where Kash failed Vino prevailed. The elder Kazakh moved from fourth to second on the GC, now 1'42" behind Valverde (Kash - 2'05").

"The Vuelta is not finished," said Vino, who is guaranteed to push Valverde all the way to the finish line in Madrid. "There still remain two stages in the mountains, and we will see what happens tomorrow and the day after tomorrow [stages 17 and 18]. There is the terrain to attack and to obtain results."

Antón Smartly Takes Calar Alto

23 year-old Igor Antón took his first professional victory on the slopes of the Observatorio Astronómico de Calar Alto in Vuelta a España stage 16. Under horrid weather conditions the Basque of Euskaltel-Euskadi road like a seasoned professional. Sensing the others were overly worried about the GC battle, he barreled up the road.

Battling for 3000 meters solo, in front of the likes of Vinokourov and Valverde, the little Basque climber showed himself in an impressive way: a solo victory in a Grand Tour. The ride was thanks to team support; Samuel Sánchez riding defensive behind and overly excited Basque team Director Sportifs in the following car.

"Much of the victory was owed to the spirits of the directors in the following car. They were giving me support and the time gaps," Antón commented after his win.

The Basque dedicated the victory to his girlfriend, family and teammate Roberto Laiseka, currently recovering from a knee injury. According to Antón, Laiseka's riding style gave him inspiration for the final push to the line.

Antón, who started cycling at the age of 9, worked in a factory while racing as an amateur. The hard work has helped him keep cycling in perspective: "Cycling is hard but working in a factory is worse."

BiciRace.com salutes the little Basque climber, who has taken his first victory in grand style. Bravo!

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

No Operation for Petacchi

There will be no operation on Alessandro Petacchi's fractured hand. After a visit to Doctor Mario Spinelli in Livorno, the Milram sprinter, who fractured his right hand in a post race punch-up at the Vuelta, was told he only needs to rest for a week. Monday lo Spezzino is expected to make another visit to the doctor to ensure proper healing.

Read:
Petacchi Finishes Season after Fight with Bus, 11 September

Kopp out of the Worlds.

David Kopp (Gerolsteiner), who was announced to be part of Germany's nine-man squadra for the World Championships, has crashed in training. The training incident for Kopp, winner of Eneco Tour stage 6, resulted in a fractured right wrist and a forced withdraw from the race in Salzburg.

The German Cycling Federation is expected to announce Kopp's replacement today. The reserves riders are Christian Knees, Ronny Scholz, Stephan Schreck and Marcel Sieberg.

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

12 September News ...