Cycling News Roundup 22 June 2008
Tour de Suisse Reactions, CSC Tour Squad, Team Type 1’s Aldape to Olympics,
Trofeo Citta' di Gallarate, Christiane Soeder
wins Grand Boucle
Team CSC Saxo Bank's Tour-team
The Team CSC Saxo Bank Sports Directors has picked the riders to represent the
team in this years Tour de France which will be kicked off July 5th in Brest:
Fabian Cancellara, Carlos Sastre, Andy Schleck, Frank Schleck, Nicki Sřrensen,
Jens Voigt, Stuart O'Grady, Kurt Asle Arvesen and Volodymir Gustov.
Damiano Cunego back in the ProTour leaders jersey after the Tour of Switzerland. Photo ©
2008 Fotoreporter Sirotti
Team Tour de Suisse Comments:
Astana Cycling Team
Three Times On Final Podium In Switzerland
The Astana Cycling Team "Good News" Show goes on. In the Tour de Suisse, the
team was present three times on the final podium. Andreas Klöden, on his 33rd
birthday, finished second overall, 48 seconds behind young revelation Roman
Kreuziger. Kazakh champion Maxim Iglinskiy goes back home with the pink jersey
as King of the Mountains and the Astana Cycling Team was the best in the overall
Teams Classification.
Astana's Andreas Kloden second in the Tour of Switzerland
Photo ©
2008 Fotoreporter Sirotti
The last stage to Bern (won by Fabian Cancellara) did not provoke major
changes in the classifications. The gap of 48 seconds between Kreuziger and
Klöden could not be closed any further. "Honestly, this is more than I
expected," said Andreas Klöden. "After my
illness in the Giro d'Italia, I started this race without a real preparation.
The bad weather in the first days did not help me, but I survived. Two times I
lost about twenty seconds. It could have made the difference, but I won't
complain. Kreuziger is a big talent."
Roman Kreuziger (22) is indeed the youngest winner in the history of this
72-year-old race. In the last Tour de Romandie he was second behind Klöden.
Klöden will now take a short holiday, recover from the full spring schedule, and
then plan the remainder of his season.
Maxim Iglinskiy was happy as well with
his KOM shirt. "It was close, I had to sprint for it on the last climb of this
Tour de Suisse. The team-mates believed in me, and they worked for me today. For
me, this shirt is a nice reward for my many attacks. Nobody can say that my
national Kazakh jersey passed unnoticed through the peloton this season."
Astana Cycling Team won the Teams Classification. Team CSC was second, and
Gerolsteiner third. It is the fourth time this season that Astana Cycling Team
has won the Teams Classification in a stage race.
Team Director Viatcheslav Ekimov was
delighted about the performances of the team. "Don't forget that we lost two
riders in the beginning of this Tour the Suisse, and (after a crash in the last
10 K of the race) Gregory Rast as well, but we still managed to end this race in
first position. Not unimportant for us is that we consolidate our lead in the
ProTour Teams Classification. An overall victory for Andreas Klöden would have
been possible if he would have been better in the first days. He was really
impressive in the last stages, it was just too late, but we are very happy."
Gregory Rast, dizzy after his crash, arrived in the ambulance at the finish
in Bern. He suffers from pain in the hip but has nothing broken.
Individual ProTour Ranking: 1. Damiano
Cunego 104; 2. Andreas Klöden (AST) 96; 3. Roman Kreuziger 94; 4. Cadel Evans
85; 5. Alejandro Valverde 83
Teams ProTour Ranking: 1. Astana Cycling
Team 145; 2. Caisse d’Epargne 127; 3. Team CSC 126
Team CSC Saxo Bank
Fabian Cancellara did it again! - Team CSC
Saxo Bank's Swiss tempo phenomenon won the ninth and final stage of Tour de
Suisse – a 168-kilometer route from Altdorf to Bern – after an unbelievable
performance in his hometown.
Fabian Cancellara celebrates a weet victory in his home town.
Photo ©
2008 Fotoreporter Sirotti
The sprinter teams were clearly marked by a tough race and as the finish was
both physically and technically difficult there were a lot of attacks during the
last 10 kilometers. Cancellara himself made an attempt with seven kilometers to
go without taking it to the max though. Just over one kilometer from the finish
line Phillipe Gilbert (Francaise des Jeux) escaped on a small hill and when the
sprinter teams still did not have things under control Cancellara eyed an
opportunity to go after the Belgian.
It was a spectacular finale, where Cancellara first caught Gilbert about 50
meters from the line and then out sprinted his opponent only five or six seconds
ahead of the peloton.
Cancellara had cramps in both legs when he slowed down after crossing the
finish line so he almost fell off his bike as he was trying to get off and lie
on the road to catch his breath. An absolutely fantastic victory for Cancellara,
whom one can safely claim to be the best in the world at this kind of stunt. He
even won the Point's Competition as well.
"I'm almost speechless over this. It seemed like an impossible thing to do
because there were a lot of eyes on me. My first attempt was just to test what
would happen. It was all part of the plan that I was to make an attempt on that
hill. For ages it looked like I wouldn't be able to catch up to Gilbert, but I
kind of went beyond my limits and I was completely wrecked afterwards," said a
very happy Cancellara.
Satisfaction with the Swiss Tour
"We're extremely happy with the outcome of this race. It's been great with two
incredible stage wins and the Point's Jersey for Fabian, an overall sixth place
for Andy Schleck, a string of great attacks by Jens Voigt, Andy and Fränk
Schleck as well as strong team work by the entire team! Of course it's a shame
that Fränk crashed during fifth stage because that almost certainly cost us a
podium spot and maybe even the overall victory, but that does in no way take
away from the satisfaction with a very strong and solid effort in this race,"
said sports director Kim Andersen after the
race.
Team Type 1’s Aldape Gets Nod For Olympics
Moises Aldape of Team Type 1 will represent Mexico at the 2008 Summer Olympics
in Beijing. Aldape, 26, said the achievement caps an important goal. He will be
his country’s sole representative in road cycling.
Moises Aldape Olympic Berth. Photo courtesy of Team Type 1
“The Olympics happen only once every four years, so it is extra special,” he
said. “I am also very happy to have this opportunity to reward my new Team Type
1 squad. I think it is a great accomplishment for a first-year team to place a
rider in the Olympics.”
Aldape recently finished third on one stage and third overall at the Tour de
Beauce stage race in Canada while winning the sprint competition. He was seventh
at the Commerce Bank International Cycling Classic in Philadelphia June 8 and
his eighth place in April at the Tour de Georgia presented by AT&T helped Team
Type 1 finish third in the team competition.
Team Type 1 Sport Director Ed Beamon said Aldape’s selection presents a
tremendous opportunity to help the squad spread its message to a large audience.
Team Type 1 was created in 2004 by two riders with Type 1 diabetes – Phil
Southerland and Joe Eldridge – to inspire people living with diabetes to take a
proactive approach to managing their health and overcoming the obstacles often
associated with the condition.
“We have been trying to give Moises a race schedule that would help him get
the points and exposure necessary to make the team and we will continue to help
him get prepared for the big event,” Beamon said.
Aldape will be one of approximately 85 athletes from Mexico at the Games of
the XXIX Olympiad, which begin Aug. 8. At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens,
the Latin American country earned four medals (two silver and two bronze).
Tinkoff Credit Systems
Kiryienka & Trusov Perform at Elektrotoer - National Championships On the
Horizon
The Tinkoff Credit Systems cycling team riders are prepared for the National
Championships in Italy this coming week. Earlier this week, the Tinkoff squad,
directed by Orlando Maini at the Elektrotoer claimed 2nd and 3rd overall with
the performances of Vasil Kiryienka and Nikolai Trusov respectively.
"The team raced intelligently, and we were attentive to the situation during
the Elektrotoer," stated Maini, "the riders
have demonstrated they are in top condition for the upcoming Nationals, and we
have several athletes that can achieve optimal results, with Trusov and
Kiryienka in particular, along with Serov, Contrini, and Ignatiev."
Cervélo-Lifeforce - Grande Boucle Féminine
Overall victory for Soeder, Thürig second
The Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team convinced at the Grande Boucle Féminine
Internationale 2008, the “Tour de France” in Women’s cycling.
On the last stage of the 6-day-competition the 33-year-old Christiane Soeder
(AUT) claimed stage victory on the 83,9 km race from Guillestre (FRA) to
Sestriere (ITA). Nicole Cooke (GBR) finished second with a gap of 29 seconds to
Soeder. Jolanta Polikeviciute took the third place and Karin Thürig edged out of
the podium, both with 34 seconds behind Soeder.
In the overall ranking, the Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team can celebrate
a double success. Soeder won the Grande Boucle by 12 seconds (time +
bonifications) ahead of Karin Thürig, who raced an excellent time trial and
showed as well in the French mountains. Nicole Cooke placed third.
For Soeder, it was the first overall victory in the Grande Boucle Feminine
Internationale and her second success in a tour in this year after winning the
Geelong Tour in Australia. The Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team, won 2 stage
victories and in addition three podium places during the 6-day-competition,
dominated as well the overall team ranking with a lead of over 30 min ahead of
the Chirio Forno D’Asolo Team.
Result 7th stage:
1 Christiane Soeder (AUT) Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 3:08’05’’h
2 Nicole Cooke (GBR) Swift Racing 0’.29’’
3 Jolanta Polikeviciute (LTU) Chirio Forno d’Asolo 0’.34’’
4 Karin Thürig (SUI) Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 0’.34’’
14 Priska Doppmann (SUI) Cervélo Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 13’.40’’
35 Sarah Düster (GER) Cervélo Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 34’.03’’
Overall ranking:
1 Christiane Soeder (AUT) Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 16h21’.55’’
2 Karin Thürig (SUI) Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 0.12’’
3 Nicole Cook (GBR) Swift Racing 2.29’’
10 Priska Doppmann (SUI) Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 17.09’’
28 Sarah Düster (GER) Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 51.45’’
Points ranking (overall)
1 Diane Ziliute (LTU) Safi Pasta Zara Manhattan 97 pts
2 Loes Markerink (NED) Team Flexpoint 62 pts
3 Nicole Cooke (GBR) Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 57 pts
Mountain ranking (overall)
1 Jolanta Polikeviciute (LTU) USC 78 pts
2 Christiane Soeder (AUT) Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 55pts
3 Nicole Cooke (GBR) Swift Racing 41 pts
Intermediate Sprint ranking (overall)
1 Diane Ziliute (LTU) Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan 19 pts
2 Loes Markerink (NED) Team Flexpoint 18 pts
3 Karin Thürig (SUI) Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 13 pts
Team ranking (overall)
1 Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 49:22.26h
2 Chirio Forno D’Asolo 30.18’’
3 Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan
Trofeo Citta' di Gallarate -
Lombardia Student Regional Championships
The trofeo Cita di Gallarate for "student" classed riders was won by Bresciano
Alessandro Tonelli (Pedale Gardonese) in a two up sprint finish with Andrea
Garosio (Capriolo).
Results Trofeo Cittŕ di Gallarate -
Campionato Regionale Lombardo
82 km - 2h11’ - 37,55 km/h
1)Alessandro Tonelli (Pedale Gardonese) 2) Andrea Garosio (Capriolo), 3)Andrea
Carnaghi (Cassina de’ Bracchi) a 4”, 5)Alex Rota Scalabrini (Pol. Marco Ravasio)
a 6”, 6)Francesco Colicino (Bareggese), 7)Francesco Pecchini (Scuola Ciclismo
Mincio Chiese), 8)Marco De Vitis (C.C.Cremonese 1891), 9)Matteo Cigala (Monteclarense),10)
Andrea Sogne (Prealpino).
21st Fausto Coppi Marathon & Mediofondo
The previous bad weather conditions won’t stop Fausto Coppi Marathon.The
competition will run as scheduled next 29 June 2008.
“We have focused our attention and efforts to the safety of all the athletes.
Some locations are not available yet and we have changed the tracks considering
first of all the respect of safety” Emma Mana said answering to some athletes’
critics ”the entertainment is not our most important goal, your safety is”.
The Organization has also described the newly designed course “they have a lot
of difficulties, they are more difficult than the previous ones. The slope in
some passages is 21%. I’d like not to change the tracks but rain and snow
created a lot of problems in Cuneo. I hope all the athletes could join us in
order to live a funny and sporty day”.
Looking at the analysis of the tracks, there are a lot of difficult passages
like:
18,3 km long Colle del Sampeyre, (maximum
slope attested around 13,4 % and a gradient of the road of 1384 meters. 4th
level of difficulty).
Madonna del Colletto is a 6 km long hill
with a 18% maximum slope. It an hard and difficult uphill. There is an insidious
passage with a slope of 18% at the half of the 1st km.
Piatta Soprana has a gradient of the road of 1143 meters and it is characterized
by 3rd level of difficulty, with a slope of 14%.
Colletto del Moro is another technical
passage characterized by a 4th level of difficulty and a slope of 21%. Also the
Italian rider Gilberto Simoni has described it as “one passage which could
create some problems to the most expert athletes. It is characterized by a slope
of 20% and it can be compared to Marmolada or Mortirolo".
The tracks have been changed and also the lengths.
The athletes, who will chose the Marathon track, will perform on a 246 km long
track.
The other riders will compete on the 156 km of Mediofondo.
The tradition of Fausto Coppi is still the same : an hard competition for the
athletes who love the Mountain, an hard competition for all the riders who want
to compete in an epic event devoted to one of the best and well known Italian
riders all over the World…
For more information, please look at the dedicated section of the official
website www.faustocoppi.net.
Discuss this race and the sport with other cycling fans from around the world
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