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Züri Metzgete, Switzerland

1 October, 240.9K

World Champ Race Debut

Overall Map, Profile
Startlist
Photos
Report and Results
2005 Results

The 93rd Züri Metzgete (or The Championship of Zurich) is the last of three ProTour races on the calendar for 2006. This year the Swiss rendezvous continues its later slot on the calendar, following the World Championships by only one week. That means that the race will be an opportune time for Italian Paolo Bettini to show off his World Champion stripes.

It was the same Italian who won the race last year, under horrid conditions using grit and determination, allowing him to go free in the last 35 kilometers. Bettini said after the race, "I was cold, I had to initiate something because that is my best defense, to attack." In 2005, Il Grillo Livornese was full of piss and vinegar after missing out in the World Championships due to lack of team cohesion. But this year he will arrive with the rainbow bands on his jersey and bike, so we are likely to see a softer, cuddlier Grillo.

The 241 kilometer affair consists of five loops that start and end in the Swiss city Zurich. The first loop is a long 72.5K, where we will probably see the escape established and the main gruppo taking it easy before the slaughter begins in the finale. The four loops of 42.1K will likely produce the winner. Last year Quick-Step went ballistic on these final loops, using the climbs of Pfannenstiel (17K to go) and Wetzwil (-14K) to put their heavy-hitters up front, which eventually saw Bettini going solo.

Tighten your two straps. In the first 41 editions of this race only seven foreigners have won, and one such edition was between two Italian greats. Fausto Coppi, while adjusting his shoes for the sprint, was out-gunned by compatriot Gino Bartali. The history makes the race a Classic that will stand out in any rider's palmarès. Just ask Bettini, Rebellin, Bartoli, Museeuw, Fondriest, Anderson or De Vlaeminck, they are all past victors of this Swiss gem.

Riders to watch will be Samuel Sánchez of Euskaltel-Euskadi, who was scorching hot at the Worlds, Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears), Gerolsteiner duo Stefan Schumacher and Davide Rebellin, il Veronese was very visible in the Worlds, Alexander Vinokourov (Astaná), Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-Fondital), Michael Boogerd (Rabobank), Worlds silver medalist Erik Zabel (Milram) and Bettini's Quick-Step mate, Filippo Pozzato.

Past Winners (from 1980):