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Mont Ventoux
Photo ©: Sirotti

Latest Cycling News for January 20, 2006

Edited by John Stevenson & Jeff Jones

JCTDU stage 3 wrap up

Barredo breaks through for big win

By Les Clarke in Yankalilla

Carlos Barredo (Liberty Seguros)
Photo ©: Mark Gunter
Click for larger image

In sweltering conditions heading along the South Australian coastline, Liberty Seguros' Carlos Barredo took stage 3 from Strathalbyn to Yankalilla after an 11-rider breakaway spent most of the day off the front of an Ag2R-controlled peloton. "We're taking advantage of the fact that Ag2R are marking a steady rhythm in the peloton to get ourselves in the breaks," said Barredo at the finish. "The winds are a bonus, but of course the main objective is the overall win."

Going into the day's stage, overall leader Simon Gerrans was keen to hold onto the lead, as was his team, saying to Cyclingnews at the start in Strathalbyn, "We'll play it like we did yesterday - let another group go at the right time and not spend too much energy." And that's exactly what transpired, with Gerrans' team controlling the peloton after letting the early break fly the coop. The 11 riders, coming together as a group after only five kilometres, stayed away all day, building a four-minute lead that lasted until Barredo initiated a splintering of front pack at the 105 kilometre mark.

From there six riders went clear, with Cadel Evans (Davitamon-Lotto) bridging solo soon after to make it seven. After taking third in Yankalilla, Evans said of this final selection, "After a few years you get a good eye for these things, but it was a bit of a surprise." A surprise it may have been, but after signaling his intentions at the start of the day were to play it as it came, taking the mountains jersey and a podium place were just reward for his hard work during the stage.

Also see: Full results, report & photos, Live report, Main, Stages & results, Map, Start list, History, Photos

Giovanni Visconti at Michele Bartoli's school for the classics

By Jean-François Quénet in Adelaide

Giovanni Visconti
Photo ©: JF Quenet
Click for larger image

It's common now for young Italians to discover Australia at the beginning of their pro career, but for a very determined 23 year-old Giovanni Visconti, it makes no doubt: "It's much better here than racing in Qatar, as I did last year," he said. "I expected to find another desert in Australia but I was wrong. It's a marvelous place. I've fallen in love with this area."

From the start, he raced very well indeed. He was a member of the winning breakaway on day 1. "But it could have been better," he recalled. "With 20km to go, I went hunger flat, I couldn't see the road anymore. I'm mostly here for preparation. I'd like to do well for my debut in Italy, especially at the Trofeo Laigueglia. I wouldn't mind to keep a spot in the top 10 of the Tour Down Under but I'm doing this race with no pressure at all."

Visconti is one of Italy's biggest hopes for the future. "But the world of professional cycling is totally different from the U23 category," he commented. "U23, that's only for the memory. As a pro, you can't save a situation; if you do something wrong, you go home and that's it."

Visconti hails from Palermo in Sicily where he goes back once a year, but now his life is in Tuscany. He calls San Baronto home and thinks of moving even closer to his mentor Luca Scinto, who lives about 5 km away in Quarrata. "Luca has done so much for me," Visconti said. "He has given me a lot without asking for anything in return, that's why I can see how good friends we are."

Luca Scinto was Michele Bartoli's garden angel at MG, ASICS and Mapei. He's now the coach of amateur team Finauto-Quick Step and his other pupil is the U23 world champion Dmitro Grabovski. Scinto reckons Visconti is definitely "the new Bartoli". Giovanni demurs: "If I become half of Bartoli, I'll be happy. Like him, I love the classics in Belgium, I also won the Tour of Flanders but only as an amateur, it doesn't count. Michele is also a good friend of mine. He'll give me a hand for my training this year."

In his first pro season with Domina Vacanze, Visconti came third in Firenze-Pistoia (ITT), and fourth in Larciano, Giro del Veneto and Coppa Placci. He's an extremely promising one-day rider. Now defending the colours of Milram, he's "looking forward to racing Tirreno-Adriatico, Milan-San Remo and the Tour of Italy with Erik Zabel and Alessandro Petacchi."

With so many good teachers, he'll learn the job quickly!

Zampilli operated on

Rino Zampilli, a neo-pro with Naturino-Sapore di Mare, has had to undergo an emergency operation for appendicitis. Zampilli was preparing to go training with his teammates when he started suffering bad stomach pains. His team director Antonio Salutini took him to the L'Officina di Fidia clinic in Civitanova Marche, where he was diagnosed with acute appendicitis. After undergoing an emergency operation, he was ordered to rest for at least three weeks before resuming training.

Shimano importer supports Tour of Britain

The Tour of Britain has announced that major UK distributor Madison Cycles will be the official cycle industry partner of the 2006 edition of the race. Madison is the UK distributor of Shimano, Giro and Colnago, among others.

Madison will be directly involved in the race in providing Shimano neutral support and will also sponsor the 'combativity award each day. The company will also help promote the race through its website and dealers.

Dominic Langan, managing director of Madison, said, "In the last two years we've seen The Tour of Britain reinstated on the calendar with an organisation that can be relied upon to deliver a sustainable and high profile race. Madison, is very excited about being the official Cycle Industry Partner for the race and its potential for attracting more people into cycling in the UK."

Susie Pryde appointed NZ endurance coach

Susie Pryde has been named as BikeNZ's national endurance coach. As a cyclist, Pryde represented New Zealand on numerous occasions, and is a Commonwealth Games silver medalist in both road and mountain biking. She is an Olympian and has been selected for eighteen World Championship New Zealand teams.

"BikeNZ is fortunate to be able to invest as per the High Performance plan in Susy's appointment, because it allows us to prepare both short and long term in our athletes and coaches," said Michael Flynn, BikeNZ High Performance Director. "Susy's passion, knowledge and enthusiasm towards understanding what is required to being an elite athlete will be a massive advantage to the New Zealand athletes that she will work with."

Pryde will be involved in training and leading the national women's road team, and both the men's and women's cross country mountain biking teams.

"BikeNZ have created an opportunity, which for me, is like first prize, an opportunity to work hard at work worth doing," said Pryde. "Under our collaboration, I only hope the riders continually feel the wind at their heels."

Mt Hood raises the bar - and the hills

The 2006 edition of the Mt. Hood Cycling Classic, presented by Full Sail Brewing (Oregon, USA, May 31 - June 4, 2006) will once again feature on the US National Racing calendar and this year will be extended by a stage, organisers have announced.

For 2006 the race will expand to include six stages in five days, covering 300 miles and climbing 25,000 feet of elevation for the men's Pro 1-2 field. The women's Pro 1-3 category can expect six stages, 250 miles of racing and 20,000 feet of climbing.

"Last year the event attracted 475 riders, including some of North America's best racers - Scott Moninger, Eric Wohlberg, Svein Tuft, and Ryan Trebon," said event director Chad Sperry. "This year we will take it to a whole new level. Being in the NRC series has dramatically boosted the level of competition. Now we are ready to step up and offer courses and venues that will truly challenge these elite riders."

Already known for its dramatic landscape and scenic beauty, the new MHCC stages will take riders through an even greater variety of terrain and topography. Courses wind through rich green farmlands of the Hood River Valley, along the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Highway, and over mountain passes to finish at the Cooper Spur Ski Area on Mt. Hood's northern flanks. The addition of a new stage will make that variety even more apparent taking competitors on a trek to arid desert terrain rolling through sage brush and dry land wheat fields.

"Weather also plays a factor," said Sperry. "We had everything from the high 80's and sun to snow all within a four-day time span. When you are riding up in the Cascade Mountains you never know what to expect. Some locations on the race route receive 70+ inches or rain a year others receive less than 10. I always tell the riders come prepared for anything".

A substantial increase in the prize list for 2006 and with more NRC points on the line due to the increased ranking of the event, this year's Mt. Hood Cycling Classic is sure to be an epic race. For more info or to register see www.mthoodcyclingclassic.com.

Kristin Armstrong & Thomas Liese join TEAm Lipton

Women's cycling and triathlon squad TEAm Lipton has announced two major acquisitions for 2006 in new director sportif Thomas Liese and rider Kristin Armstrong.

The 2005 US national time trial champion and 2004 US road champion, Armstrong represented the US at the 2004 Olympics; her recent palmares also includes victories in stages of the Pomona Valley Stage Race, Sea Otter, San Dimas Stage Race and overall victory in the 2005 Cascade Classic.

Thomas Liese is a former world champion, Olympian and Tour de France finisher with over 20 years of road and track racing at the sport's highest level. The TEAm will compete in USA Cycling national road and track events and Ironman and international triathlon events, capping the season with the U.S. Track National Championships in October. "I'm looking forward to bringing my experience and knowledge to this group of exemplary athletes," said Liese. "I plan to create the perfect team environment and give direction that will motivate these women to perform at their very best."

Full announcement & team roster

Essex Brass Cycling Team 2006

The Essex Brass Cycling Team has announced its 2006 rider and sponsor lineup. This team is based in Michigan, around the Metro Detroit area. The team will continue to race around the Midwest and Canada, but focus on the Michigan Points Series Challenge. Essex Brass will look to continue its numerous wins and podium finishes in four different fields.

Full announcement & team roster

Myogenesis Nutrition team

Bringing together a wealth of talent, both old and new, will be the Myogenesis Nutrition elite cycling team presented by Landmark Dodge. The team's focus will be the fiercely contested Georgia Cup, as well as regional NRC races. Plans will also include several stage races on the 2006 calendar, including one international jaunt, the Tour of Trinidad.

Full announcement & team roster

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