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16 August 2006

17 August News ...

Early Morning Lissone - The 60th Coppa Ugo Agostoni

Today marks the second of three Trittico Lombardo races, the 60th Coppa Ugo Agostoni. The course, starting and ending in Lissone, just north of Milano, takes the riders over 199K. The riders will enter the famed zone Monticello Brianza, where they will then do 21.5K circuit 5-times. Each time they will climb the brutal Lissolo, it has slopes at 18%, and is always a key point in the Coppa Agostoni. From the final circuit is a matter of 50K to the finish.

Last year the winner was Paolo Valoti (Team LPR), and past winners include Merckx, Moser, De Vlaeminck, Bugno, Tafi and Jalabert.

Tonti Confident for Worlds

Andrea Tonti (Acqua & Sapone), winner of the GP Mengoni (8 August), is confident that his recent form should produce a spot on the Squadra Azzurra. Franco Ballerini will announce his nine-man squadra for the World Championships on 15 September in Milano.

"I am happy with my win in the GP Mengoni," said Tonti as a light rain was falling on Lissone for the start of the 60th Coppa Agostoni. "From here I will go to the Regio Tour [16 - 20 August], and then I hope to make the selection for the Worlds squadra. Wee will see."

South Africans in Lissone

BiciRace.com was happy to have the chance to speak with South Africans Jeremy Maartens and Rodney Green of Barloworld. The boys, used to the warm weather down South, looked a little weary of the weather in Lissone for the 60th Coppa Agostoni but we assured them that the rain was supposed to stop.

"Oh, I have been racing over here for more than 10 years," said a confident Green while enjoying a caffè.

You are enjoying the Italian life? How is the racing here in Italy? "Yes, it is nice. I live nearby; over in Como. The racing in Italy is more controlled then you find in France or Belgium," explained Green. "You can have small groups of five go free but they are monitored very closely by the peloton; it is all done with precision."

Hearing that Green lived in Como, we were able to confirm later that he knew Brent Copeland of comobike.com. What also impressed us was his knowledge of our bel sito... "Yes, BiciRace.com. I have seen the website; it is nice."

Sacchi Looking for Ballerini

Fabio Sacchi was looking as smart as ever for the start of the Coppa Agostoni. Il Milanese, after abandoning the Tour de France, is ready to face the Vuelta a España to help the team's sprinter Alessandro Petacchi win some stages.

"Petacchi is doing well," said Sacchi. "At the end of this month I will race the Vuelta and help him out."

What about the World Championships? Would your skills be of use to the Squadra Azzurra? "I think so. I can help pull back any escapes, and I would like to go. Have you seen Franco Ballerini today?"

We confirmed that Ballerini was in Lissone for the start of the race and then we helped Sacchi find the Italian national DS. BiciRace.com and the Squadra Azzurra tifosi will have to wait until 15 September, when Ballerini announces the nine-man squadra (plus two reserves) for Salzburg.

A Young Sella

Emanuele Sella (Panaria-Navigare), at 25 years-old, is perhaps too young for Franco Ballerini to consider for the nine-man World Championship squadra. We spoke with the Italian from Vicenza at the start of the 2006 Coppa Agostoni about the possibility of riding in the Squadra Azzurra.

"It will be hard to make up one of the nine-men," confirmed Sella.

But Ballerini mentioned the other day that he wants a squadra of attackers; riders that can go out and win the race on their own but also help out their teammates. (Read: Ballerini Characterizes Worlds Squadra). Do you think you would fit this mold?

"I know that Ballerini said he wants an attacking team. My legs are feeling good; I will do my best to show well and then we will see if I am selected. From here I will go on to race Giro del Veneto [26 August] and Trofeo Melinda [31]."

No Vuelta for Pellizotti

It has been a successful season for curly-haired Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas). The 28 year-old took the Peschici stage of the Giro d'Italia and placed well in races like Milano-Torino. We caught up with Pellizotti in Lissone before the start of the Coppa Agostoni.

Will you be racing the Vuelta next month? "No. No Vuelta for me this year," confirmed the Italian from Bibione. "I will stay in Italy to do most of the fall Italian races. I don't think I will be going the Worlds but you never know... We will see."

With the news of Stefano Garzelli possibly leaving Liquigas, we were curious what Pellizotti thought. "I don't know where Stefano is going. I am staying at Liquigas. I have two more years in my contract, and I am happy here."

Federica Adds Smile

What would be a day in Italy without speaking to a lovely race girl? BiciRace.com had the chance to exchange a few words with Federica, who was tasked to present riders to the public. The early morning rain did not stop her smile from shining through while she explained that she knows English (she demonstrated a little by asking for a BiciRace.com-Prodir pen). BiciRace.com, and we are sure the riders, thank Federica for providing that extra bit of excitement to this Lombardia classic.

Astarloa Vomits

Igor Astarloa was scheduled to start the 60th Coppa Agostoni with number 97 on his back but the Basque rider was not able to take to the start line today due to stomach pains. Team officials confirmed that last night and this morning the former World Champion was vomiting in his hotel room.

Paco Antequera, Spanish national DS, will be watching the performance of Astarloa over the next month for a possible spot on the national squadra for the World Championships in Salzburg.

93rd Tour de France - presented by , 1 - 23 July

15 August News ...