Giro d'Italia Cycling News for May 20, 2005Edited by Jeff Jones & Anthony Tan Stage 11 wrapup
The 11th stage was the first real change for the GC riders to strut their stuff in the mountains, with four hard climbs in 150 km between Marostica and Zoldo Alto. After Lampre smothered any breakaways with a hard tempo on the early climbs, Gilberto Simoni attacked on the Passo Duran, the third climb of the day. That gave rise to the first selection, with most of the favourites making it across except for Cunego and Garzelli. But then Ivan Basso (CSC) took charge, putting in acceleration after acceleration to reduce the group to just five riders at the top: himself, Simoni, maglia rosa Di Luca, Paolo Savoldelli, and Jose Rujano. On the last descent, Il Falco Savoldelli flew the coop and put 20 seconds in to Basso, Simoni and Di Luca, while Rujano was dropped. But Basso was able to close the gap to Savoldelli once the final climb to Dolomiti Stars began, and Simoni started yo-yoing off the back. Basso continued to put the pressure on, with help from Savoldelli, and Simoni finally went off the back of them for good. Savoldelli saved his strength in the last 2 kilometres and beat Basso to win the stage. Basso took his first maglia rosa and Savoldelli moved into second overall. Could the Giro be fought out between these two riders? Also see:Stage 11 Full results
& report Basso Mr. Right
The protagonist behind today's dramatic stage and leaving behind a trail of the world's best bike riders in his wake, Team CSC's Ivan Basso was naturally delighted with the outcome, finishing second to Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel), but taking the maglia rosa in the process. "I felt really strong today. I wasn't giving much thought as to who was positioned where, but just made sure to keep as fast a pace as possible, as we hit the Passo Duran climb," explained Basso on the team's website, team-csc.com. "This turned out to be the right strategy, and I could see that not many were able to keep up with me. I had great legs today, so I launched several attacks in order to drop my competitors. Today, I showed that I'm a rider capable of pulling off a serious attack under the right circumstances," he said. Said team manager Bjarne Riis: "It was a pleasure to watch Basso today. He did everything right, was very strong and had the situation well under control. There was no doubt who was the strongest out there today, and it's great to capture the pink jersey in a tough mountain stage. The whole team has worked hard, focusing on this goal. Now, we'll take one day at a time, because we know exactly what's ahead of us, and there are still many difficulties to be overcome before reaching Milan." Like his directeur cautioned, the 27 year-old isn't getting ahead of himself, knowing anyone - including he - can have a bad day. "It's a dream come true for me and my team to have the maglia rosa, but I choose to be very humble about the situation," said Basso. "There are still a lot of tough stages left, and the race is far from over. Today, many riders had an actual off-day, but that can happen to everyone in a big stage race - including myself. Now, we have achieved an important goal, but of course I'll attack again, if I feel as strong as I did today." Nas raid inconclusive; teams stand up against raidsBy Tim Maloney, European Editor in Dolomiti Stars Yesterday's Nas raid that swooped down on the Davitamon-Lotto and Saunier Duval-Prodir team at their hotel was inconclusive. Davitamon-Lotto had a device seized called "Alti Trainer", which produces hypoxia and simulates altitude training. Team doctor Daniel De Neve told La Gazzetta dello Sport, "We use this system in our team because it is approved by many national Olympic committees, including Australia and Switzerland. We simply didn't know (Alti Trainer) wasn't allowed in Italy. But many scientific studies have shown that this (technique) is not doping." After De Neve spoke to La Gazzetta, the UCI issued a communique that expressed solidarity with the teams and team doctors involved in the raid. Giro d'Italia organizers also seemed unconcerned with the Nas raid and told Cyclingnews that "nothing happened as far as we are concerned." As for Saunier Duval-Prodir, a further examination of the police documents revealed that the products seized in the raid had no prohibited substances. Both results from what many consider unprovoked attacks by the Italian Carabinieri drug squad have provoked a strongly worded response from the International Association of Pro Cycling Teams, which threatened, "We do not exclude the possibility to boycott (the Giro d'Italia) in the case of further unjustified disturbances of medical and sporting activity during the Giro d'Italia." The newly empowered ProTour teams seem unwilling to allow the Nas to make unwanted intrusions during the Giro d'Italia, but eventually that could mean little to the Nas Carabinieri, who need no search warrants or substantial proof to make further raids on Giro d'Italia teams under Italian law. Giro shortsBy Tim Maloney, European Editor in Marostica Basso's not-so-secret weapons
Ivan Basso had a special FSA crankset for Stage 11, with a 52/36 front chainring for the steep ascent of Passo Duran and the final climb up to Zoldo Alto/Dolomiti Stars. We asked CSC team director Bjarne Riis what was up with the special gearing and he cagily replied, "You'll see on the climb". Cyclingnews also asked Riis about how he saw the situation on Stage 11 and he said that, "I think, and I hope it's going to be a spectacular day...how it's going to end I don't know, but I think we'll see some surprises. A nice battle." We asked Riis what he would tell Basso in his earpiece when Simoni attacks and his simple, elegant reply was, "Be ready...stay close." Riis was proved right again. Gonchar at homeLast year's Giro d'Italia runner-up Serguei Gonchar (Domina Vacanze) has lived in today's stage start town of Marostica for almost 10 years. Surrounded by his local tifosi, the tough Ukrainian told Cyclingnews, "It's good to be at home; you know there's no place like home. I hope it helps to find some friends and family. And since I'm at home, even people who don't know me say hello. It's nice to have a little popularity." Dekker here to learn
When we spoke to Rabobank's 20 year old phenom Thomas Dekker before Sunday's time trial, he was hoping for a good ride as his riding skill against the clock is clear. Dekker was runner-up in last year's World U23 championship in Verona and finished an excellent 9th in the Lamporecchio-Firenze 45km time test. "It was a good effort for me; the stage before I went easy and was prepared for the TT." Some Dutch journalists have been criticizing the young Rabobank rider as he is often seen riding at the back of the peloton, but he explained, "My main job at this race is to learn. It's a big step for me." We asked Dekker, who won a U23 race in the Pyrenees last year on the Col d'Aubisque, what he was expecting in the high mountains to come. "I might go in an attack, but it's tough. I don't know how the peloton will start. I'm hoping that an early break and then we'll see what happens. I hope I can even be sometimes in the front." Post-stage quotesCyclingnews correspondent John Trevorrow was at the finish today in Dolomiti Stars, where he spoke to some of the riders who crossed in the 85 rider gruppetto at 32'05 down.
Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto, 155th at 32'05)
"I was really tired before the rest day and even on the rest day. All because I wasn't really prepared for a Giro. But I seem to have recovered. I didn't feel too bad by the finish today, but I had a bit of trouble up the first climb. My seat's been a bit out of position and it's starting to tighten up my glutes. I'll fiddle around with it in the morning. It's probably only half a cm out, but it's been wrong for a couple of days. "I haven't climbed one of those big bergs in a while. I'd forgotten how much fun it is."
Dave Zabriskie (CSC, 89th at 21'36) A man of few words, Dave Zabriskie's comments at the finish when we asked him how things were was, "It was a bike race, man. I just gotta get some food right now."
Nick Gates (Davitamon-Lotto, 124th at 32'05) "The starts have been pretty relaxed, and normally, no-one goes for a few kilometres. Today, the minute they started, someone attacked and it was down the road. No joke, 60 blokes were out the back and no-one waited. Robbie and I were on the back of the bunch. We looked back and said, 'those poor bastards'. Groups of ten, ten, trying to get back on. Unbelievable. On the first climb, it split into two bunches. I dropped back with Robbie and stayed with Robbie for the day. That's what I had to do." Gates also commented on the spectacular Dolomite scenery. "We don't normally have a chance to look at it. Over the top of one of the mountains it was like a picture postcard, and I said to Robbie, 'take a look at that mate.'"
Trent Wilson (Selle Italia-Colombia, 138th at 32'05) "I'm pretty confident of getting through the Giro. My legs felt good today, and I was comfortable in the gruppetto. In tomorrow's stage, the climb is really steep - 20 percent in some parts. A lot of guys will struggle up there. "Rujano has been going well. I might have to do something early on tomorrow, stretch 'em out before the climb."
Brett Lancaster (Panaria, 146th at 32'05) "Yeah I felt pretty good. There were a few hard climbs. I was cruisin' OK, happy sitting in the gruppetto." Who's in charge of the bus? "Petacchi and the Fassa boys. They control that like they control the sprints."
Russell Van Hout (Selle Italia-Colombia, 160th at 32'05) "I'm finished," said Russell after crossing the line. "Because of that breakaway and what happened the other day [crash]." Later on when we spoke to him, he was a lot better. "I've got my legs up now. I'll try and get over the climb tomorrow."
Mark Renshaw (Francaise des Jeux, 172nd at 32'05) "I was in a bloody lot of trouble on the first climb. I lost some time there, and I had to chase pretty hard to get back on. I just feel blocked from the last couple of days." How was it in the gruppetto? "Yeah, well it was a hundred guys, which was a good thing for me today. I was happy to get that day done and will look at tomorrow now."
Matt White (Cofidis, 174th at 32'05) "Yeah good. It was always going to be a big gruppetto. But our guy [Atienza] went pretty good today, eh? fifth?" How was it in the bus? "It's all good mate. There were a lot of sprinters back there. I think tomorrow will be the last day for a few boys - not just the sprinters - a few boys are really hurting."
Rujano returns to greenRewarded for his attacking riding on Stage 11, Selle Italia-Colombia's Jose Rujano has retaken his lead in the mountains classification. The 48 kilo flyweight Venezuelan attacked just before the day's first at the Passo di Cereda, again at the second GPM of Forcelle Aurine less than 10 kilometres later, and stayed with the lead group almost until the top of the penultimate 13km ascent to Passo Duran, before being dropped by Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel) on the descent leading to the final climb to Zoldo Alto. Rujano still ended up finishing 10th on the stage, 2'19 behind Savoldelli, and is currently 18th overall, but as his delighted directtore sportivo Gianni Savio said: "Josè Rujano today has astonished nearly all, confirming his a natural talent when the road goes skywards. Our objective today was to return the green jersey to our team and now we will try to defend it; however, we will continue to be a squadra that always attacks. Scarponi "good, but not exceptional"Michele Scarponi was the best of Liberty Seguros' riders on the first mountain stage of the Giro, eventually finishing ninth at 2'17 to stage winner Paolo Savoldelli (Discovery Channel). Asked how he felt he did, the 25 year-old rated his performance as "good enough, but not exceptional." Scarponi said he felt he was going well until the point where he was dropped on the penultimate climb of the Passo Duran, "but the Giro is very long and many things can still happen", he added. "Today, Cunego, Garzelli and Cioni all went bad, but it was one very difficult day. Continued Scarponi: "Basso, Savoldelli and Simoni are a step better that mine and it was impossible to follow them. Despite this, I am satisfied with the situation that I have now in the general [classification; now seventh overall - ed.]. Today was only the first mountain stage and I am confident on Saturday [Stage 13] or Sunday [Stage 14], I could achieve a good result." Liberty's team manager Manolo Saiz is equally optimistic: "We are ahead, but we lack a step to be with the best, although we have placed immediately after Basso, Savoldelli and Simoni. The major surprise has been Cunego, and to be honest, Simoni was not very good, either." "However, it has been the first contact we've had with the mountains and most of the Giro still awaits. It is significant what we have seen today, in terms of the hierarchies established, but it is still necessary to wait," cautioned Saiz. Saiz also admitted that he was dreaming "of being a little higher [on the overall], because I believe that Scarponi is so good as Savoldelli, but it is easy to forget he is only 25 years old and we are demanding him to ride like those who are 30 [or more]. And because of that, I am even more satisfied, because he is demonstrating good progression." Cofidis team doctor injuredCofidis' team doctor David Riabi was involved in a car accident during the wet 10th stage of the Giro d'Italia between Ravenna and Rossano Veneto. Riabi's car reportedly ran into a truck, and the doctor had to be freed from the debris. He was taken to hospital where he his neck was stabilised with a cast. He also suffered injuries to his legs.
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