News for May 21, 2001

Casagrande retires hurt

Francesco Casagrande
Photo: © Sirrotti

After fracturing his left wrist in yesterday's rain-soaked first stage of the Giro d'Italia, Francesco Casagrande has not surprisingly retired from the race. Rain lifted dust and grime from the road surface, making for extremely slippery conditions. Organisers originally believed there had been no serious injuries, but Casagrande's fracture was diagnosed after an x-ray.

Casagrande crashed 20km from the finish while riding with a lead group that included Pantani and Simoni. "I was fifth with Stefano. I saw the crash and to try and avoid it I skidded, but lost control of the bike. I started to lean toward a mountain bike that was parked next to the road. I instinctively put my hands out to avoid hitting my face and so I broke my left wrist."

Though the severity of the fracture has not yet been officially announced Casagrande is expected to be out of competition for 20-25 days. He would like to return in time for the Tour de France, though he is making no plans. "The Tour appeals to me; I'd like to achieve there some of the goals that are now denied to me here, in the race I had made a priority. But now it is pointless to make plans, just as it is pointless to dwell on my misfortune."

Rastelli surprised

Ellis Rastelli
Photo: © Sirrotti

A stage win for Ellis Rastelli was not on the Liquigas game plan for the Giro, according to yesterday's stage winner. Rastelli believed his team leader Sergei Gontchar was in front of him, and didn't realise Gontchar had fallen victim to one of the day's many crashes. "It is a complete surprise to win a stage. I have to ride for the two Liquigas team leaders Sergei Gontchar and Davide Rebellin. In the sprint I was watching Gabriele Colombo. Then when Duma came past I followed him and went past (him) just before the line. This is the biggest win of my career." He added, "I was lucky to stand up and to be in front. It was difficult to keep balance even pedalling at 10 kilometres per hour."

Verbrugghe cautious

Prologue winner and race leader Rik Verbrugghe was taking no chances in the rain. "I didn't try to win the stage but concentrated on controlling Abraham Olano and Dario Frigo. They are nearest to me in the overall classification and I didn't want them to gain any of the time bonuses. After surviving today I hope I can continue to keep the race leadership. I feel good. There is an uphill finish on stage three but I'm climbing better than ever."

Nevertheless, Verbrugghe was making no rash predictions. "The circumstances of the race will decide. The Italians are very motivated, you could see that in this stage. Pantani already looks good to me. I think he can do great things, and the ONCE team showed its strength in the finale."

Mactier crashes out

Australian Road Champion Katie Mactier is out of the Tour de l'Aude Feminin after crashing in the second stage, and sustaining suspected broken lower lumbar vertebrae. Mactier was descending with team-mate Anna Millward and also Sara Carrigan

The unmarked corners on the descent, combined with the rough surface hadn't allowed for accurate judgment of the approaching corners. Local French cycling legend Catherine Marsal commented later that this particular descent produces crashes every year for this reason.

Also involved in the crash was Petra Rossner who is okay. Millward stopped with Mactier to make sure she was okay before continuing on to the finish, a significant time behind the winner.

Mactier will probably be off the bike for up to two months. She will remain in Carcassonne Hospital for up to five days for observation and further treatment, and plans are being made for her return to Australia.

Mercury-Viatel for the Midi Libre

The Mercury-Viatel team taking part in the Midi Libre (May 22-27) will consist of: Niklas Axelsson, Jamie Drew, William Frischkorn, Fabrizio Guidi, Andrei Teteriuk, Pavel Tonkov, Geert van Bondt and Phil Zajicek.

After his win in the last stage of the Tour of Picardy, Jans Koerts will be one of the Europeans sent by Mercury-Viatel to the US races, from the Capital Cup in Washington DC, on June 2, to the USPRO championship in Philadelphia on June 10. The other riders will be: Derek Bouchard-Hall, Baden Cooke, Gordon Fraser, Fabrizio Guidi, Chris Horner, Scott Moninger, Mike Sayers, Leon van Bon, Geert van Bondt, Henk Vogels and Chris Wherry.

Meet Giro winner Andy Hampsten

Riders in the Lawrenceville, New Jersey area who want to find out what winning the Giro is like from someone who's done it should get along to Knapp's Cyclery on Tuesday May 29 for a ride and question/answer session with 1988 Giro winner and US bicycle hall of fame inductee Andy Hampsten.

The cost is $10.00 and will include beverage and snacks during the question and answer session. All proceeds will go to the Middle Earth Foundation to help in their efforts to make an impact on the lives of troubled teens in the Somerset county area.

Date: Tuesday May 29
Time: 10:30am for a short ride with Andy and then at 12:30 for a question and answer session and a period for autographs and pictures.
Place: Knapp's Cyclery (Lawrenceville, NJ). See: www.knappscyclery.com or call 609-393-1199 for directions

For more information call Kenneth Mills on 856-797-0959