First Edition News for September 7, 2003Edited by Chris Henry Gonzalez de Galdeano realistic
Despite looking disappointed with his ride as he led the ONCE-Eroski team across the line in Saturday's opening team time trial at the Vuelta a España, pre-race favourite Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano now finds himself in the first leader's jersey. ONCE beat closest rival US Postal Service by 10" and proved once again its prowess in the team time trial, particularly on home soil. Happy with the early success, Gonzalez de Galdeano also knows not to put too much stake in wearing the jersey early on. "This has just begun, we've got to keep our feet on the ground," he commented after stage 1. "There's so much racing left and anything can happen. We've already won a battle, but the war has just started. I've got to be focused all the competition long." "In 1999 I was the leader of the Vuelta in the first stage," he added. "I was a young rider and I didn't have much experience. Now I've ridden many more races and I guess I'm a better cyclist." Igor was also keen to note the success his family has shared on the roads of Gijón. "It's a good place for us, as my brother Alvaro also won a stage here," he said. "I knew US Postal and Banesto were going to ride outstanding time trials, but I was surprised by the bad day Bianchi and Fassa Bortolo had," Lombardi shares Vuelta ambitionsMario Cipollini may be back in the Vuelta, and by extension his Domina Vacanze team has reclaimed its place in the race after organisers threatened to oust the wildcard selection, but Cipollini's teammates have plenty of ambition of their own for the three week race. Leadout man and fast finisher Giovanni Lombardi is one such rider, who with or without Cipo is eager to prove himself on the roads of Spain. Already a winner of a stage in this year's Giro d'Italia, Lombardi hopes for more at the Vuelta. "After the Giro d’Italia, I started thinking about the Vuelta and I have done specific training sessions for the race," Lombardi told Cyclingnews before the Vuelta's opening stage. "I hope I can do a good race... this is to say to win at least one stage. I also want to be selected for the world championships." Besides the prestige of a good performance in a grand tour, Lombardi has additional personal motivation to ride well at the Vuelta. "I live in Madrid with my girlfriend and I feel very comfortable there," he explained, adding that his choice to live in Spain was due in no small part to the country's being the warmest in Europe. "I'm delighted with the city. I live in the downtown, in an area called Chueca and I also opened a gift shop." The latest Cipollini saga, where the world champion's withdrawal from the Domina Vacanze Vuelta roster prompted organiser Unipublic to reject the entire team, did not sit well with Lombardi. "Personally, I actually didn't like it because I prepared a lot for this competition and not having the possibility to race for reasons beyond my control would have been very upsetting for me. It would have been very stressful." Sastre ready to build on Tour success
Carlos Sastre provided Team CSC with one of three Tour de France stage wins, as well as strong support of team leader Tyler Hamilton, and is now ready to dispute the Vuelta a España in his own leadership role. Sastre has already claimed the Vuelta's climber's jersey in 2001, but this year has his sights set on the general classification. "I have prepared myself well for this Vuelta and I know what it takes to do well in the race," he said on the team's website. "I have been keeping a low profile and taken great care of myself in the days leading up to the race." Sastre showed some of his best climbing form when he won the Tour's 13th stage from Toulouse to Plateau de Bonascre, winning alone by just over a minute ahead of Jan Ullrich and the main Tour protagonists. "I feel that I have recovered from my Tour effort and I know that the team is ready to back me," he said. "The route suits my kind of rider and I know many of the climbs very well." Millar looks to TTsDavid Millar (Cofidis) is looking once more to make his mark in the time trials at this year's Vuelta a España. Winner of recent tests against the clock in both the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Burgos, the Scot is hoping for good legs and a quiet first week of racing. "My preparation for the Vuelta hasn't been as intensive as last year," he said on his personal website. "I feel good so I'm hoping to do well in the race. There are three time trials so I'm aiming to win at least one. I also want a road stage." Last year Millar quit the Vuelta in protest over what he felt were excessively dangerous conditions on the fearsome stage finishing atop the Angliru climb. Not feeling the pressure of a candidate for the general classification, Millar has specific targets throughout the three week race. "There will be no pressure in the first week and I can use it to build on my form," he explained. "Without an opening prologue or time trial I won't really feature over the early stages anyway, so I'm hoping to be relaxed and ready for the first time trial." Virenque's Vuelta testRichard Virenque, king of the mountains and yellow jersey for a day in this year's Tour de France, remains undecided about his plans for the remainder of the season. In particular, Virenque has not committed to representing France at the world championships in Hamilton, Canada. Underway with Quick.Step-Davitamon in the Vuelta a España, Virenque plans to evaluate his options after the opening of his second grand tour of the season. "I just want to see where I am at the end of the season," he told l'Equipe of his Vuelta plans. "I've set the Pyrénées as a target. If I feel good I'll keep going until the world championships or the Giro di Lombardia, and if not I'll go home right away. The Pyrénées will decide everything." Virenque is inspired by the thought of racing the world's in Canada, but only if his condition- physical and mental- is suitable. "We all know the parcours is very difficult, and I don't want to go if I'm not capable of riding for the victory," he explained. "It's tough to travel so far with the difference in time zones... I need to go convinced that I can do very well, and only the beginning of the Vuelta can confirm that." Virenque and his Quick.Step teammates offered a strong performance in the opening team time trial in Gijón, finishing 5th (at 48") behind specialists and pre-race favourites ONCE-Eroski. Stage 1 medical reportDuring Sunday's stage 1 team time trial, the Colchon Relax-Fuenlabrada team suffered a crash. Santiago Blanco, number 51, was one of the most affected with a fracture of his left cheek bone, although his vision was not affected. He also suffered a contusion on his left shoulder. Nacor Burgos suffered contusions on his ankle, right knee, lower back, and José Maestre also received multiple contusions. Franco announces retirementThe Director General of the Vuelta a España, Enrique Franco, announced his retirement during the traditional meeting held between the race organisation and the media before the race's first stage. Joining Franco in retirement will be the race's Technical Director Alberto Gadea. Courtesy: lavuelta.com Lefevere troubled by drug investigationQuick.Step-Davitamon manager Patrick Lefevere, who for years has shared some of the finest classics victories with his star Johan Museeuw, has expressed his dismay at the Belgian drug investigation which has implicated the Lion of Flanders Museeuw. Lefevere maintains his support for Museeuw, and hopes for a positive outcome to the investigation, but can't help but see the shadow looming over Museeuw, and Belgian cycling. "From this moment on, it's no longer possible that Johan leaves the sport with the same dignity," Lefevere told La Dernière Heure. "Essentially, the damage [was done yesterday], and even if Johan is completely cleared there will always be some doubt in the public's mind, and that will take a long time to heal. That is what, at this moment, is most troublesome for Johan." Lefevere spent time with Museeuw at the rider's home in Gistel, Belgium Friday to discuss the situation and lend his support. "Johan told me he has nothing to hide, and I want to believe in his great professionalism," Lefevere said in Saturday's l'Equipe. "I just hope he's telling me the truth." The Quick.Step team has not yet felt the need to take actions against Museeuw, one of the most respected and accomplished riders in the peloton. With no formal charges filed against Museeuw concerning potential involvement in the use or trafficking of doping products, the team issued a statement at the end of the week affirming that Museeuw would continue with his planned racing schedule, which this weekend sees him racing in the Netherlands and in Belgium. Museeuw's participation in the world championships does, however, remain in serious doubt. Museeuw confidentFor his part, Museeuw has expressed his own confidence that the accusations will pass. "I'm completely confident," he said simply, adding that he hopes not to be pursued too rigorously by the media. "[My wife and I] are also made of flesh and blood," he concluded. Final stop for women's World CupThe women's World Cup series wraps up Sunday with the running of the 4th Lowland Group Tour Rotterdam (formerly the Rotterdam Tour). Twenty six teams and 160 riders are scheduled to race, tackling a 140km parcours around the islands of south Holland. Current World Cup leader Nicole Cooke (Ausra Gruodis-Safi) has built up an insurmountable lead in the competition, and thanks to her victories in Flèche Wallonne, Amstel Gold Race, and most recently at Plouay, barring incident, Cooke has clinched the series victory. The World Cup podium is still up for grabs, however, and Holland's Mirjam Melchers currently holds the second spot, followed by Regina Schleicher, Sara Carrigan, and Judith Arndt. Teams for the Lowland Group Tour Rotterdam: Team Nürnberger Chavanel wins for SalansonThe younger of the Chavanel brothers, Sébastien, earned his first professional victory Friday at the Tour de l'Avenir, and promptly provided the double in Saturday's third stage. A fine opening for Chavanel (Brioches La Boulangère), who has thus far ridden in relative anonymity as his brother Sylvain has been touted as one of France's biggest hopes for the future. Aside from the obvious satisfaction of a first professional win, Sébastien paid homage to his deceased friend and teammate Fabrice Salanson, who passed away on the eve of this year's Tour of Germany. "Since I started to have some good sensations in the Tour du Poitou-Charentes, I started to have this stage in mind," Chavanel said in l'Equipe, commenting on the occasion of his first win. "Fabrice was like a brother. The French national championships (won by teammate Didier Rous) helped me start to get over his death; it was like a gift to him. Today, I dedicate my win to him," he said Friday. Saturday's second win in two days will no doubt provide additional inspiration the seasons to come. (All rights reserved/Copyright Knapp Communications Pty Limited 2003) |
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