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3 October 2006

4 October News ...

Bettini Talks Six Day and Roubaix

Paolo Bettini, fresh off his debut as 2006 World Champion in the Züri Metzgete, is thinking of the winter and 2007. In the 32 year-old Livornese's plans are Six Days and a first appearance in Paris-Roubaix.

After Erik Zabel and Bettini sprinted against each other in Salzburg, it is probable that the duo could pair up for the Six Day of Grenoble (26 - 31 October) and Monaco (9 to 14 November).

"Erik asked me to do one with him," said Il Grillo, referring to the Six Day events. "But he is a rider who can also win on the track. Very strong and for me, and I have already talked to Marco Villa."

Looking further ahead, Bettini is thinking of the Queen of Classics, Paris-Roubaix. Not once has Il Grillo ridden on the cobbled sections that comprise the Hell of the North, but for 2007 he is planning on participating.

"I want to try in the Worlds jersey," Bettini, 10th-year pro, said of his planned trip to hell. "[Michele] Bartoli did it in the last year and he rued not having done it sooner."

Read:
Bettini Displays Rainbow in Rainy Zurich, 2 October
Paolo Bettini Writes His Thoughts, 28 September
Long Night for World Champion Bettini, 26 September
Bettini Completes Circle with World Championship, 25 September

Challenge Gazzetta 110 - Lombardia

There are already 1000 cycling amateurs slated to ride the Medio Fondo Giro di Lombardia, the third and last appointment of the Challenge Gazzetta 110.

The Italian leading sports paper, La Gazzetta dello Sport, is celebrating its 110th year. The pink paper has marked the occasion by offering three challenging 110 kilometer rides for cycling amateurs, called Challenge Gazzetta 110. Early this year there were the Media Fondo Milano-Sanremo (19 March) and the Granfondo Giro d'Italia (28 May).

Occurring the day after the professionals race the Giro di Lombardia, the Medio Fondo Giro di Lombardia (15 October), will be another challenging 110K event. The route starts and finishes in Como, and, like the professional parcours, includes the famed climbs of the Madonna del Ghisallo (754m), Civiglio (613m) and San Fermo della Battaglia (397m). It will be smart to attack your gruppo while they are stopped at the pizzeria, i.e.: Attack in the feed-zone!

Read:
La Gazzetta Celebrates with Granfondo, 16 December 2005

Madonna del Ghisallo Museum Opens

The new Ghisallo Museum will be open 14 October, the date of the passing of the Giro di Lombardia.

Perched above Lago di Como, the new home of all the cycling memorabilia, which is currently being housed in the Santuario della Madonna del Ghisallo, will be officially open at 10.30. The Museum, adjacent to the Santuario, boasts 2000 square-meters of floor space for traveling and permanent exhibits.

The hallowed grounds are popular among cycling enthusiasts, who can give respects to the past champions and to the patron saint of cyclists. Its location, above Bellagio (Lombardia), is an ideal place to have lunch, view the plethora of cycling treasures and watch the Giro di Lombardia pass.

Read:
Ghisallo Museum Receives Blessing from Pope, 31 May
Di Luca's ProTour Jersey to Ghisallo, 27 April
Santuario della Madonna del Ghisallo Reopened, 12 April
Santuario della Madonna del Ghisallo Closed, 19 January
Marco Pinotti Donates Italian TT Jersey to Ghisallo, 9 December 2005
ProTour and Renewal for Danilo Di Luca, 18 October 2005

Paris-Tours: Century Edition of Sprinters' Classic

Paris-Tours is synonymous with the autumn and the end of the season. This year, Sunday, 8 October, the Classic will be celebrating its hundredth edition, and will welcome 25 teams. The ProTour classified event will consist of all 20 ProTour teams, plus five additional Professional Continental Teams.

The Paris-Tours peloton will depart from the town of St-Arnoult-en-Yvelines (close to Paris), heading south for 254.5 kilometers, before arriving on the famed l'Avenue de Grammont in Tours. The race, although "flat" has an unpredictable character. First because of its geographical path, which means the peloton can be pushed along at full speed by the wind or face a long day in a head-wind. Furthermore, ... Read the entire Paris-Tours Preview.

Paris-Tours, 8 October, 254.5K, Century Edition of Sprinters' Classic
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2005 Results

3 October News ...