Latest Cycling News for April 19, 2004Edited by Jeff Jones Rebellin reborn
It's been a long time between drinks for a Davide Rebellin victory in a World Cup race. His last World Cup win came in 1997, when he won both Clasica San Sebastian and the Championship of Zurich - more than seven years ago. But as Cyclingnews' Chief Online Editor Jeff Jones writes, his Amstel Gold Race victory was cool headed and stylish, beating a home favourite on his preferred terrain with complete aplomb. "In the last kilometre I was calm," said Rebellin of his tactics on the Cauberg, which saw him slow to a near standstill while Michael Boogerd grew increasingly nervous behind him, eventually jumping with 350m to go. Rebellin took his wheel, waited until 100m to go, and passed Boogerd to take a clear win. "I saw that the finish suited me, I felt in good condition and I wasn't scared of Boogerd," he added. Rebellin and Boogerd attacked the six-man lead group on the Fromberg (the third last climb) with 17 kilometres to go, and Rebellin committed himself completely to staying away. "I thought it was a good moment to go," he said. "We worked perfectly together and it was definitely the right break. We knew what the gap was and maybe there was a bit of risk letting the speed drop, but Boogerd would go, as he certainly didn't want to lose. For me it was perfect that Boogerd led out." A criticism often leveled at Rebellin is that he's always in the right break, but rarely makes the final attack or secures the victory. Why was today different? "It's true that things were different today," was his honest reply. "The circumstances were different. I felt by going with Boogerd we would make it to the finish. So it was easier to go through with the attack. But there is also the fact that I have had problems with my health [intestinal troubles in 2002] which are now in order. In future you can expect more from me and I think I can continue at this level now." Click here for the full interview Van Petegem satisfiedAfter finishing fifth in the Amstel Gold Race, Peter Van Petegem (Lotto-Domo) achieved his best spring classic result of the season, and refuses to be criticised. "Why the criticism all the time?," an annoyed Van Petegem told the Belgian newspapers. "Don't you realise that I can't pull off an amazing feat each year? I was ready for it and our team rode fantastically again. From the beginning, the boys protected me from the wind and did a huge amount of work. But just try one time to sprint up the Cauberg in the big chainring after 250 km! "On the Fromberg I closed the gap with Boogerd to Bettini, but the Dutchman went again immediately. Then I had to let it go and bite my own teeth pretty hard. After the cobbled classics it's no shame when you see which top riders I was riding with. Also don't forget that I was the only one who was in the lead group in Milan-San Remo, the Ronde and Paris-Roubaix. Fifth is therefore not bad. My spring has still been a success." On the other hand, Van Petegem rules out having the overall World Cup as a goal this year. "No, not really. But I will start in Liege-Bastogne-Liege." Dekker now looking to LiegeAnother strong ride by Erik Dekker (Rabobank) in yesterday's Amstel Gold Race saw him finish in 7th place and move into 9th overall in the World Cup. Dekker missed the final six man breakaway which had teammate Michael Boogerd in it, but was able to get clear of the chasing group in the closing stages to finish alone in 7th place. "I wasn't sitting in the right position," he was quoted by ANP as saying. "I knew that I wasn't going for the win any more, but I certainly wanted to have a good finish here." Dekker was actually part of the early "suicide break" with Jan Kuyckx and Johan Van Summeren, but went back to the peloton before too long. "Because of the strong wind I hoped that the peloton would break into pieces," he said. "That didn't happen, so I told the guys that I didn't want to ride any more with them." Dekker's next goal is Sunday's Liege-Bastogne-Liege, the final World Cup of the spring season. With his current condition, he is expecting another good result. Vandenbroucke expects a winThere were no punctures this time, but also no top 10 finish for Frank Vandenbroucke (Fassa Bortolo), who was 18th in the Amstel Gold Race. With Flèche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege the only big races left this spring, VDB is confident that things will swing his way in the Ardennes. "That is more my thing than the Gold Race," he told Het Laatste Nieuws. "In the Ardennes I ride on my terrain, for my public and that is worth a few percent. In the meantime I am not disappointed or stressed. You don't feel pressure when you feel that your condition is good. On Sunday it's a question of being super." Van Summeren most combativeBelgian rider Johan Van Summeren (Relax-Bodysol) was awarded the Herman Krott Trofee for the most aggressive rider in the 39th Amstel Gold Race, having spent 185 km in front (for the most part with Jan Kuyckx). Zberg in and out of hospitalSwiss rider Beat Zberg (Gerolsteiner), who crashed at the 28 kilometre mark, was taken to hospital in Maastricht where doctors diagnosed a fracture of his left kneecap. After his knee was put in plaster, he was able to return home. Niels Scheuneman, who also crashed at that point, was not as seriously injured. Light concussion for PlanckaertJo Planckaert (MrBookmaker) was also a victim of a crash on Sunday. After 40 km, he went back to the team to get a drink, and when he was on his way back to the peloton, a large dog bounded onto the road, causing the Gerolsteiner car to swerve to the left. Planckaert couldn't avoid it, and came down. He suffered a light concussion, and will have to rest for a few days. Full Amstel Gold Race coverage:Full
results & report
Georgia makes big leagues in year twoBy Tim Maloney
The slogan of the second edition of the Dodge Tour de Georgia is "6 Days, 23 Cities, 648 Miles, 1 Million Spectators, 1 Cause... Georgia's Race to Defeat Cancer". And despite the commercial connection to Daimler-Chrysler's Dodge brand, the Georgia race is a non-profit where all proceeds will benefit the Georgia Cancer Coalition. That's one reason that Lance Armstrong will be the star attraction at this year's race. Besides the cancer connection, Lance Armstrong has chosen the Dodge Tour de Georgia this year as a key part of his preparation in his quest for an unprecedented sixth Tour De France win. After his divorce late last year, Armstrong decided to forego his early season training program in Europe that culminated in the hilly classics like Amstel and Liege to stay closer to home in Austin, Texas and his three kids. That put the Georgia race on Lance's program and will add a new dimension to the race. In its second year as America's premier stage race, the 2004 edition of the Dodge Tour de Georgia has all the elements necessary to surpass its predecessor the Tour DuPont. The six-day, seven stage 1050km race around the Peach State of Georgia has a more difficult parcours than last year and perhaps the most competitive field to ever race in North America outside of the Olympics or World Championships. Although Lance Armstrong told Cyclingnews last month that he wasn't coming to Georgia to win, with Stage 4's 30km time trial and two tough stages in the Georgia Appalachians on tap, Armstrong must be considered a real favourite to win here. For support, Armstrong will have a George Hincapie in superb shape, always crafty Ekimov, awesome rouleur Pavel Padrnos and young guns Mike Creed and Daniel Rincon. Full Tour de Georgia
preview Cyclingnews will be covering the Tour de Georgia live each day from start to finish. Stage start times are as follows (in Eastern Daylight Time): Stage 1 : April 20 - Macon - Macon, 132.2 km: 12:30pm (All rights reserved/Copyright Knapp Communications Pty Limited 2004) |
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