News for March 1, 1997

Luik-Bastenaken-Luik - Finish

Rominger Interview

For a long time Rominger had said that this would be his last season and he has confirmed it to us at the start of the Valenciana. He always thought that his carrer would end at Mapei-GB, at home, since Tony had become more than just another rider and had a lot of respect for his boss, George Squinzi, so much that he was even promised a future at Mapei after cycling. Instead, this Winter, he has faced betrayal. Squinzi was surprised when he received news from Mark Biver, Rominger's manager, of the news Tony's passage to Cofidis. Since then, Squinzi and Rominger haven't spoken

"I haven't done it for the money -explains Rominger-. Now I earn less, because working for a French team I am subject to the fiscal regime that is in force in France, in base to a convention that exists with the Principality of Monaco, where live. Therefore I pay more taxes than before".

But then why did you leave an environment where you were esteemed and where you had the guarantee of a role after cycling?

"I would have never imagined that I would leave Mapei. But I started to perceive that the team had many men for the big tours, and I didn't see what my role would be. I feared that this could cause a loss of motivation. I accepted the proposal of Guimard, who had called me an infinity of times. However I must admit that I will miss the environment of Mapei: I miss Tafi, the Belgian group, all of the personnel".

He's said that you left Mapei because you didn't want to leave doctor Ferrari. And since you ex team has created their own training staff, the presence of Ferrari wouldn't be accepted.

"That is not true. Squinzi had informed me before his project and he had guaranteed me that if I have wanted, I could have stayed with Ferrari. And I told him if had stayed I would not have demanded special treatment. After all, Sassi is an excellent trainer and there is no big difference between Ferrari's methods and his".

What is your program for this year?

"I will ride Paris-Nice and the Criterium. Then in April I will run tests from the 6 to the 8 at Bordeaux and the 10th to the 11th at Manchester in view of the Hour Record. I could also do tests in Mexico, departing the 15 and coming back in time for Romandie. Yes, I will race the Tour, which I wouldn't have done with Mapei. Had I stayed there, I would have ridden the Giro: but I'm not sure how competitive I would have been for May-June, more so when one growns old it becomes more difficulty to enter form. If I decide to retry the hour, I would dispute the Tour thinking about that objective, then I would ride the world ITT and and would try the record as the last appointment of my career. Colnago is working to prepare me a bike that suits the new measures from the Uci. If I realize that I have the power, I will try at the English track pista. Otherwise it would be Mexico City".

Rominger, this is your last season: what do you think of cycling, which you are close to leaving.

"It has become a big business. I have enjoyed myself a bit, but haven't made too many friends. Lucky for me there are still some old friends of my generation around: Cipollini, Lelli, Maurizio... But each year there are less".

Della Santa interview

Since then a lot of road has passed under the tubular: Della Santa, who in the past rode for Mapei-GB went to the new team lead by Pantani. He has gone in retreat with Marco, he has trained with him, he has had time to observe him. Everybody wonders if the Pantani of the present resembles the one at Duitama, the model of the champion that everybody wants to see again. "Marco and I have trained together, we stayed at Donoratico at the beginning of February. There we had continuous days of training, we have simulated competition in a circuit that is called 'the giro of the five communes', normally used for races for the amateur. We were divided in three teams, each with his captain and his team leader, and for the occasion they have closed the traffic. There was even the King of the Mountain award and naturally a regard for the best finisher. I won that race and Marco has arrived fifth. We enjoyed it".

And what Pantani have you seen? His pedaling is more or less like it was in Colombia. Certainly, his output is a whole other topic. He doesn't not look afraid to me: on the first stage of the Valenciana, he has stayed ahead without problems. He wanted to help Traversoni and me to a certain point and when we told him to watch it at the approach to the sprint, since the risks increase, he didn't seem concerned. Yesterday he seemed good in the climbs. It is understood that he is still not at 100 percent, however he is capable of staying ahead".

Therefore Della Santa, sees Pantani headed in the right direction. Let's not forget that Della Santa is also a respected climber, therefore his opinion is valuable. "It is my personal opinion that the only problem that Marco could have, even though I feel that it won't happen, could be when they are consecutive days of fatigues, 10 or 15 for instance: obviously this could affect since he spent a year out of competition. But I repeat, I've seen him go well in the climbs. At Donoratico when he accelerated he made riders suffer and quite a lot".

And how has Pantani the man have changed? "I didn't know him well from the time in Colombia, twelve days together are not enough to know a person. Now, I have found a colleague who worries about his teammates and who takes interest and has solidarity with all. Lately I have had personal problems and he has stayed always close, I have sensed his solidarity, like that of the other teammates. We are building a beautiful group: the Mercatone Uno is a very united group and there is much dialogue".

Today, Della Santa and Pantani could find good terrain for their abilities as climbers at the fourth stage at Valencia. As for Pantani, yesterday he said that he was satisfied: "The stage which was won by Zabel in a sprint was fairly calm. Now comes another test day: I hope to get another positive response". He also said that he was happy for the beautiful weather that continues to accompany the race.