News for May 23, 2000

Giro d'Italia news

Stage 9 comments

Francesco Casagrande
Photo: © AFP

After he took command of the Giro in stage 9 to Abetone today, Vini Caldirola's Francesco Casagrande told the cameras afterwards that it was an unexpected finish. "I attacked at San Pellegrino to make a selection. I knew that the last part of the climb was quite hard," he said. "I didn't think I would be alone at that stage though."

"I'm not going to eliminate my rivals based on today's stage. There are still some tough stages to come before the end of the Giro, but it was very encouraging to win here. My wife and daughter came to see me on the podium - a beautiful moment," he said.

He added that he wasn't surprised by Pantani's failure (26th at 6.54) as he was already in some difficulty a couple of days ago. However, 26th out of 163 riders is still not bad going for the Swampy one...

Cantina Tollo's Danilo di Luca (now 2nd on GC) was a little more annoyed, as he came so close to gaining that treasured pink jersey. He was on Casagrande's wheel on San Pellegrino, but dropped off with half a kilometre to the top. "If I could have remained with him there, I believe that I could have stayed with him until the finish. In chasing Casagrande, we were not well coordinated in the group. Otherwise, we wouldn't have lost a minute on the descent of San Pellegrino."

Pantani's Mercatone Uno team director, Felice Gimondi said that it wasn't that surprising that Pantani had lost time today, considering his lack of racing (and the fact that he is concentrating on the Tour). By the top of San Pellegrino, he was nearly four and a half minutes down, finishing nearly seven minutes behind Casagrande in Abetone. All was not lost, with Stefano Garzelli finishing second, and taking third on the GC.

The second half of the Giro is shaping up to be quite interesting therefore, with Gotti and Tonkov still to play their cards. Today Casagrande showed his strength, but he has not come close to winning a major tour before, being better known as a one day rider. Can he go the distance?

Gilberto Simoni (3rd last year) is still there for Lampre, and he climbed quite solidly today. The only big losers were Savoldelli and Rebellin, who were 3.43 down and it will take an impressive effort for them to get back into contention. With the time trial in two days likely to favour Tonkov and DI Luca, we could see a new pink jersey, but Casagrande won't give in easily. Cyclingnews.com will be providing live updates throughout the day's racing - stay tuned.

Blanco suffers

Spaniard, Santi Blanco (Vitalicio Seguros) has always been a promising type of rider but never managed to come up with the goods. In today's ninth stage, he was part of the first selection, but was unable to hold the pace, finishing 20th, 3.43 down with Savoldelli's group.

He told European Press that he was with the leaders up until 2 kilometres to go on the climb of San Pellegrino, "but there was a very hard gradient and I was not able to follow. At first I was there, I thought I could hold on, but it was not to be. I hope that I can have another better day. I still am trying to get into the Giro, and this was the first hard stage."

Banesto's Leonardo Piepoli didn't do quite as badly today, finishing 10th at 1.53 down, but he claimed he was "very tired. I thought I would be better today," he said, admitting that Casagrande was just too strong.

Italian teams protest

The organiser of the Giro d'Italia, RCS Sport (who also owns La Gazzetta dello Sport), has come under fire from Italian teams who are concerned about contributions to sponsorship. The matter at hand is the fact that although television rights are extremely profitable for the organiser, hardly any of those profits go toward supporting the riders that make the spectacle. It may lead to a formal protest from the Italian riders if their demands aren't listened to.

The spokesman for the association of Italian teams, Moreno Argentin, said that while RCS Sport had indicated that they would like to discuss the matter, nothing had been achieved so far. They claim that they refuse to be intimidated. "The riders are paid by us, and without riders, there would be no cycling," said Argentin.

On Sunday morning before stage 8, the riders issued an official statement saying that they would not take part in the starting ceremonies, wear any of the official jersies (including the pink), or talk to the media. That will occur today (stage 10), should their be no further advancement in the sponsorship discussion.

To show that they mean business, the cyclists said that they are prepared to pay fines that are likely to be imposed should they not take part in the ceremonies. They are supported by the International association of cycling teams.

Festina trial

It was officially announced today that the next installment of Festina case will take place from October 23 to November 10 in Lille, France. Assistant to the prosecution, Gerald Vinsonneau, informed media today that the trial will take place involving 9 riders and management personnel. The 'Festina affair' made headlines for many months in 1998 after it was found that team soigneur Willy Voet had a boot full of EPO and other drugs on his way to the Tour de France.

Only one rider who is still racing will be present at the trial. Richard Virenque (now Polti), was considered by judge Patrick Kiel as the team's "moral leader", and he will have to front up. Others include Voet, Bruno Roussel (former Festina team director), pharmacists Christine and Eric Paranier as well as ex-Francaise des Jeux soigneur, Jeff d'Hont.

Those appearing are accused of several offences relating to doping.

Dutch World MTB team:

The Dutch have named their team to contest the World Mountain Bike championships in Sierra Nevada in June.

Cross country

Men: Bart Brentjens, Bas van Dooren, Patrick Tolhoek, Ruud van Mil and Bas Peeters

U23's: Thijs Al and Erwin Bakker

Juniors: Reier den Hertog and Mathijs Wagenaar

Women: Corine Dorland and Tessa Sollaart

Downhill

Gerwin Peeters and Bas de Bever

Kiwis leave it till June

The New Zealand Olympic Committee will announce the official NZ cycling team to go to the Sydney Olympics on June 7, 2000. All riders from all disciplines (MTB, track and road cycling) will be named on that date. In the mountain bike team, there are places for two men and one woman.