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News :: 'Gli Italiani' Plan Early-Season

25 February 2006

'Gli Italiani' Plan Early-Season

BiciRace.com was at the start village of the 2006 GP Chiasso to question gli Italiani on their early-season form and races. The Swiss race was a great place to catch the riders as they start their spring campaigns. The grey and raining conditions helped bring out the fondness for the upcoming big Italian races, where there should be sun and warmth. Most of the Italians are building for Milano-Sanremo and/or the Giro d'Italia.

Bettini rides safe on wet roads, photo: BiciRace.com

Olympic Champion Paolo Bettini came to Switzerland after already winning in Spain earlier this month. As usual, the Quick-Step rider was in great spirits and confirmed his form for the spring. "My form is good after Spain ... I am here today, and tomorrow in Lugano, to win but also being careful on the wet roads," said Bettini when we asked him if the race was just going to be training kilometers.

BiciRace.com then asked Bettini about the Tirreno-Adriatico parcours and, of course, the Milano-Sanremo. "This year Tirreno will be interesting and hard for me," said Bettini. "There is the time trial and also the mountain finish [San Giacomo (Monti della Laga)]. I will go there to at least look for a stage win."

"... Yes, and then I will be ready for Milano-Sanremo," continued the 2003 winner of Sanremo. We then asked if he has previewed the parcours. "Well, I live close by in Monaco and I regularly hit those roads in training... So I know the course pretty well."

Rebellin will use the Poggio to launch, photo: BiciRace.com

When it comes to Sanremo, Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) is very similar to Bettini: both riders are limited to attacks on the final climbs, instead of waiting for the Via Roma. "I will try to have a go on the Poggio, but Petacchi will be hard to beat this year," confirmed Tin-Tin. Before heading to the partenza of La Classicissima the Gerolsteiner man will race Tirreno-Adriatico.

Pietro Caucchioli to Paris-Nice, photo: BiciRace.com

One rider who has been there but has yet to come up with a win in 2006 is Pietro Caucchioli (Crédit Agricole). The Veronese showed great form in the Tour Méditerranéen and the Trofeo Laigueglia early this month. "From my goal will be Paris-Nice," said Caucchioli. "I will go there for a stage or maybe the classification."

We asked what his schedule was after the Race to the Sun. "I will go and race the Amstel Gold and Flèche Wallonne, but I am not really a rider for the one-day races." Also, you can expect the Italian to lead his French squadra in the Giro this May.

Grillo goes Lucca, Tirreno and Sanremo, photo: BiciRace.com

Paride Grillo (Panaria-Navigare) was at the start in Chiasso with his hair down (different from the usual spiked-look). "I will race here today and tomorrow," said Grillo referring to the Swiss weekend races. "From here it will be Giro di Lucca, Tirreno-Adriatico and then Sanremo."

Grillo's teammate, Brett Lancaster, is not Italian but close enough, he lives in Pistoia and races for an Italian team. "Really I just hope to finish today and tomorrow," said the Aussie. "From here it will be Tirreno and building for the Giro."

Another try at Maglia Rosa for Burt, photo: BiciRace.com

We asked if he had his eyes on another Maglia Rosa this year. "I will have a go at the prologue again this year," said Lancaster, who won the Giro prologue in 2005. "It is more technical course this year... lots of corners... but I will have a good chance."

Lancaster won gold at the 2004 Athens Olympic games, so we thought to ask him of his opinion of the recent news that Alessandro Petacchi might attempt the Men's Team Pursuit in 2008. "I did not know about that," said Lancaster. We explained that Petacchi, Ongarato, Velo and Sacchi were the names being pitted against the gold Aussie team. "They will be in for a bit of a shock, won't they?"

Wegelius is building for Giro, photo: BiciRace.com

BiciRace.com always enjoys seeing Il Varesino, Charles Wegelius, at the race starts, the Liquigas rider is always in a good mood and happy to chat. Wegelius, not Italian but based in Varese, explained his program: "I am building for the Giro. Today, well I am not so good in these temperatures. Tomorrow will be the GP Lugano and I have heard there won't be any rain!"

Rubens is a little congested, photo: BiciRace.com

Finally we caught up with Rubens Bertogliati (Saunier Duval-Prodir), who is Swiss but Italian is his first language. "It would be nice to be in California," said Bertogliati, referring to the Saunier Duval team racing in the USA. "This weekend will be tough because I am a little congested, my form was a lot better a week ago."

25 February News ...