www.cyclingnews.com presents the 57th Vuelta a España, 2002.

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Bayern Rundfahrt
Photo ©: Schaaf

57th Vuelta a España

Spain, September 7- 29, 2002

Vai Dani! Danilo Di Luca's Vuelta diary

Danilo Di Luca
Photo: © Sirotti

Nationality: Italian
Team: Saeco-Longoni Sport

Italian speedster Danilo Di Luca from the Saeco-Longoni Sport Team will be writing a diary for Cyclingnews.com during this year's Vuelta a España. The classy rider has been in excellent form leading into the 2002 Vuelta, with a recent victory in the Giro Del Veneto showing he has hit Spain's major tour with motivation and speed. With his consistent performances in Italy during August, Di Luca is looking to the Vuelta with confidence. "The Giro del Veneto was my last race before the Vuelta... we've got big plans for the Spanish race. Simoni will be going for the overall and I'm looking for stage wins."

Index to all entries

Stage 17 - September 25: Benavente - Salamanca, 145.6 km

No Crystal Ball

Today was a stage that at least until the last 200 meters went just like I thought it would...ready, set, go right from the gun balls out; my computer never dropped below 50km/h during the first hour!!! Lots of dangerous crosswinds that made us form echelons...today at least no one got fooled by this but you had to watch out and not make any mistakes or you might be out of luck.

Then the break got away and it became business as usual for the sprinters teams. The whole group was in Indian file, one long line, with Fassa Bortolo, Zabel and company, then Heras and Kelme...nothing new there.

After the second sprint for points, Aggiano and Ferrari got away but even for these guys there was not much of a chance, since it was pre-ordained that we would have a sprint today.

Today I felt better; like a real racer and like I said yesterday the winner would be Petacchi, but it was the turn of Furlan to win! He's a good young sprinter and has shown in the Vuelta that he has a solid future as a racer.

Yeah, I felt good today...I've got to say that I've recovered well and I'm looking forward for the big stage tomorrow to have a good race. At least give it my best shot!

a presto
Danilo

Danilo Di Luca's official website - www.danilodiluca.com

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