Thursday, May 24, 2007

Cycling odds and ends

DiLuca rides the Saunier Duval train to victory and takes the jersey from Noe, but keeps it in the Liquigas family. Andre Noe's nickname is awesome. "Brontolo" which means the complainer in Italian. Also an inspiration since he is the oldest rider to wear the Maglia Rosa! Liquigas is having a hell of season. Impressive day out for DiLuca! The GC is starting to look a little more familiar. Popovych and Salvodelli are both further back than I expected. Salvodelli cracked and they let Mazzoleni.
As predicted Wim Van Huffel vaulted up to 22nd today! The top 10 are all with in 3.5 minutes so the race is still on. Especially with 2 time trials and the Zoncolan stage to come!

Jesse Anthony lost the lead in the FBD Milk Ras today, but is still in a podiums position with 3 stages left. Another American U23 rider John Devine got 16th at the French race Ronde de l'Isard-a three day stage race.
Can't really get excited about the Volta a Catalunya. Sevilla takes the stage and overall today, Allan Davis yesterday-it's like the Puerto follies. Maybe next year....
I was saddened that Zabel admitted to doping(the whole "just once" thing I have to take with a grain of salt. Mussew ruined that one for me. Just like Dario Frigo ruined the "I had the drugs, but only for emergencies" excuse that Basso used), but at the same time kind of proud that he choose to stand by Aldag and make his admission side by side. The bond of friendship between them as highlighted in Hell on Wheels was touching. Was it a Soviet era view on racing that made it so prevalent at Telekom? Hard to say.

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