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4 March 2006

3 March News ...

Partenza Milano-Torino

Today's Milano-Torino marked the partenza of the season for two Italian Stallions: Danilo Di Luca and Ivan Basso. The historic race (started in 1876) is an excellent way for the duo, both going for the Giro d'Italia, to start their season. The first 150K is mostly flat which allows a smooth way to transition from training to the season's racing. The race also sets the stage for many other Italians who have their eyes on Tirreno-Adriatico, Milano-Sanremo and the Northern Classics. BiciRace.com caught up with gli Italiani to get their thoughts.

Arriving last to the sign-in stage was the day's huge attraction: Ivan Basso. If you squinted your eyes you could almost see the Marshall stacks and flames firing from the Gazzetta dello Sport stage - Basso is the rock-star of Italian cycling. Il Varesino was happy but looked a little nervous at all the deserved attention from the tifosi and media.

"I am happy to see all the tifosi here in Milano for the beginning of my season," said Basso with a smile. "I am going for the Giro and Tour but today it will be just putting kilometers in the legs." Next week Basso will start in the Tirreno-Adriatico, "It will be tough this year with the climb to Monti della Laga and the crono."

Team CSC and Basso just returned from the Wild West, the boys were at a training camp in Solvang, California and part of the team participated in the inaugural state tour. Did Basso miss the warmth of California, versus the chilly start in Novate Milanese? "It was great. There were also a lot of chances for me to practice my English," finished Basso, who was starting to get mobbed by his tifosi.

Ever friendly and popular is The Killer, Danilo Di Luca. The Liquigas rider just returned from a month of altitude training in Mexico and was about to initiate his season. "I am very happy to be here," said Di Luca. "I am starting the season, without the white [ProTour] jersey... All of my efforts are going for the Giro." And next week at Tirreno? "Next week I will be racing for form and to help Garzelli win."

The Killer's new teammate, Luca Paolini, was looking comfortable in his new lime green Liquigas colors when BiciRace.com bumped into him. Out from the shadows of Paolo Bettini and a rough 2005 season, we asked if he will be gunning for Milano-Sanremo. "There are Garzelli and the others, I don't know," said the Milanese undecidedly. "Sanremo is a goal, for sure," he added after we pressed further. "Then it will be up to the north for Flanders and Roubaix."

We were puzzled by Paolini saying Garzelli would be a rider for Sanremo, so we found Garzelli to have a talk. When we asked how his form was after spending a month in Mexico with Di Luca, Garzelli said "We will find out today, vediamo." After Milano-Torino il Varesino was heading for the start of the Tirreno-Adriatico, "The course is good this year... we will see how it goes."

Will he go to Sanremo? "The goals are really Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège before taking a break and then going for the Tour de France," confirmed Garzelli who finished 6th today.

The day's winner, Basque Igor Astarloa (Barloworld), was very cool, relaxed and happy to chat with BiciRace.com at the partenza. "This is only my third race, so I am still looking for form," said the 29 year-old 2003 World Champion, not giving any indication that he might win. "From here I will go to Pais Vasco, and then my goals will be Amstel Gold, Flèche Wallonne and Liège."

Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-Fondital), finishing 4th today and winning the Trofeo Laigueglia a week earlier, will be aiming for the bigger classics in the coming month. "We will see," said Ballan when BiciRace.com asked him if he was going to have a go in La Classicissima. "Depends on my legs, but I would like to have a try. I will give it a go on the Poggio and Cipressa... My form is good after Laigueglia, and I will also be there to support [Daniele] Bennati."

BiciRace.com thinks that Ballan will be a force on the cobbles of the North and we told the Italian that 'We have you down as a hot favorite for Flanders and Roubaix.' "Thanks. After Sanremo I want to go north and ride well," finished Ballan. [If you live in Italy buy the April issue Cycling Pro magazine and read more of BiciRace.com's opinion (in Italian) on Ballan.]

Relaxed at the start, but a little worried about the weather, was Ballan's teammate Salvatore Commesso. "I don't like this cold," said the former Italian Champion. "Sanremo? I don't know if I will be racing this year. From here I will go to Lucca and then Tirreno... Tomorrow [Sunday] there is supposed to be rain, luckily Lucca is on Monday, and then further south for Tirreno!"

3 March News ...