2012 Tour of Flanders, Route Controversy

Yesterday we mentioned that the Tour of Flanders route for tomorrow has been substantially changed, leading to much controversy. The finish was changed from Meerbeke to Oudenaarde; famous hills like the Muur van Geraardsbergen and the Bosberg that have been the final two hills in almost every edition since 1975 have been removed from the course. The new final features the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg, both will be climbed three times. Also included in the final are the infamous Koppenberg (climbed after the first passage of the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg), the Steenbeekdries and the Kluisberg.

Some rider comments and observations:

Michele Bartoli, 1996 winner: "It’s worse than taking the Poggio from Milan-San Remo. For me, the Muur is a piece of the history of the Tour of Flanders, it’s a huge loss. I mean, if I had attacked at another place [in 1996], it wouldn’t be remembered so readily now. The Oude Kwaremont isn’t very hard, but it’s long and disjointed. It’s also a bit anomalous in that there’s a stretch of flat pavé afterwards that can hurt. The Paterberg is short but it goes up at 20%, a real wall. I couldn’t say if Flanders will be harder because it depends on the riders, but at its key points, the roads are very narrow, and technical ability will be fundamental."

Fabian Cancellara, 2010 winner: "People are scared. There’s a lot of ‘why?’ also. Why have they changed the history of this race? I guess cycling is becoming worldwide now. I mean, California is growing huge and so is the Tour Down Under, China is getting bigger. And on the other side, some of the big Italian races that I knew when I was younger are now being overshadowed. The traditions of the sport are counting for less and now on they have changed something crucial. So there is a big why. Is it just to make it harder? Is it just to make money? Is it because of politics and business? Or is it just to see more spectacular things in the race? These are the questions but I am not the organisers so I don’t know the answers."

Tom Boonen, 2005 and 2006 winner: "To me it makes little difference where I win."

The Belgian newspaper Het Niewsblad reported that Belgians are 3-1 against the changes. Fans have started a "we hate wouter vandenhaute" facebook page. There is a also the "Keep The Muur And Bosberg" blog.

WouterVandenhaute, the race director, has said that in order for the sport to progress, changes need to be made. He's made it clear that he wants to make cycling more attractive to sponsors — primarily to sponsors that will populate the expansive VIP tents he’s erected along the Ronde course. Vandenhaute believes it’s important to give sponsors something back, not just in terms of exposure, but also in terms of service, in terms of a “special experience.”"

Tomorrow: 257 km of pain and suffering on a new course should make for exciting watching .

Photo: the iconic Muur, for now relegated to the pages of history

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2012 Tour of Flanders (Ronde van Vlaanderen)

The 2012 Tour of Flanders will be held on Sunday. One of the five "monuments" of cycling, and the first of the Spring classics, it has been held since 1913.

Belgian riders have had the most victories, 67, with Italians following with 10 victories (Netherlands 9, France 3, Germany 2, Switzerland 2, United Kingdom 1, Denmark 1).

The first Italian victory came in 1949 with Fiorenzo Magni. Before WWII the race was usually held on the same day as Milan-Sanremo which kept Italians at home and the French riders preferred Milan-Sanremo as well. In fact, the there was only one non-Belgian victory before WWII (in 1923 by Heiri Suter of Switzerland).

Fiorenzo Magni went on to win the next two editions, 1950 and 1951. The other Italian winners have been:
1967 Dino Zandegù
1990 Moreno Argentin
1994 Gianno Bugno
1996 Michele Bartoli
2001 Gianluca Bortolami
2002 Andrea Tafi
2007 Alessandro Ballan

Gianluca Bortolami's victory in 2001 set the record for the fastest Tour of Flanders at an average speed of 43.6 km/h.

Italian favorites for Sunday's race: Alessandro Ballan (winner in 2007) and Filippo Pozzato (6th in last month's Milan-Sanremo).

From a team perspective Liquigas has Peter Sagan who finished 4th in Milan-Sanremo. The captain for Lampre will be Danilo Hondo who finished 16th in 2011 and 9th in 2010 in the Tour of Flanders.

Of course, other favorites include Tom Boonen, Fabian Cancellara, and Sylvain Chavanel. Boonen and Chavanel, both of Omega Pharma-QuickStep, were on a short (!) 165 km recon of the new course during the week:



The course has been changed drastically for this year's race. The finish was changed from Meerbeke to Oudenaarde; famous hills like the Muur van Geraardsbergen and the Bosberg that have been the final two hills in almost every edition since 1975 have been removed from the course. The new final features the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg, both will be climbed three times. Also included in the final are the infamous Koppenberg (climbed after the first passage of the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg), the Steenbeekdries and the Kluisberg.

Danilo Hondo, after an 80 km recon yesterday said, "This year Ronde van Vlaanderen will be even more demanding than usual since the opponents are very strong and the new course is really tough."

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Nutrition, Hydration and Rest in Giros Past

Oh my, how things have changed.

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Coming Soon: Vol. II of "The Story of the Giro d'Italia"

Bill McCann, author of "The Story of the Giro d'Italia, Volume I", writes in to say that Volume II will be ready soon. He also sends in this trailer about Volume I:


You can also read more about Volume I in the blog entry "The Story of the Giro d'Italia": Preface and Excerpt".

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Detour: BIOBIKE

Every once in awhile we detour from Italian cycling to another subject area. This time the BIOBIKE caught my attention:


More info at www.biobike.us

Another recent "detour" was Neuron Shifting and Robots, a story about using your brain to shift an electronic gruppo.

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2012 UCI World Cycling Tour in USA

Part I, 2012 UCI World Cycling Tour

Since we have covered the UCI WCT in the past we thought we should mention for USA readers that the only qualifying event in the USA was just announced, the Berkshire Cycling Classic in Lenox, Massachusetts on May 6, 2012. Below is the press release:

Sparta Cycling is pleased to announce that the first annual Berkshire Cycling Classic in Lenox, Massachusetts on May 6, 2012 has been named the American stop on the fifteen event UCI WORLD CYCLING TOUR for 2012 through 2014. The rides are held as Gran Fondo (Cyclosportif) event formats.

“The UCI (International Cycling Union) status adds a new dimension to the Berkshire Cycling Classic,” explained Sparta Cycling principal John Eustice. “Enthusiast cyclists can choose to experience a true UCI racecourse at their own pace, or really test themselves against the best national age group riders. The format is also ideal for licensed racers looking for a new challenge, and allows them the exciting chance to qualify for a World Championship.”

“Our Berkshire Cycling Classic offers a unique experience for cyclists, whether they want to have a ride with friends and family in Lenox and the Berkshire Mountains, or qualify for the UCI WORLD CYCLING TOUR final”, said Eustice.

The UCI World Cycling Tour (UWCT) is a series of UCI-sanctioned Gran Fondo/Cyclosportif events that are held all over the globe. The top 25% in each age group of the qualifier events will automatically have the right to compete in the UWCT Final and race for the coveted UCI rainbow jersey. The Berkshire Cycling Classic will be the only UWCT event in the United States this year.

“The Berkshire Cycling Classic allows any & all participants to a ride on a top-quality international road race course. The two routes are long and hilly and provide the perfect setting for those who wish to test their legs in a friendly and competitive atmosphere,” explained Eustice, a former US Pro Cycling champion. “It is very challenging, a fantastic course, reminiscent of a Tour de France.“

Starting and finishing in Lenox, Massachusetts on Sunday May 6, 2012, the Berkshire
Cycling Classic features route selections of 62 and 81 miles (100k and 130k). Overall times for both distances will be recorded and ranked according to age groups.

Lenox, nestled in the heart of the beautiful Berkshire Mountains provides the perfect host venue for this challenging Gran Fondo/Cyclosportif.

“Becoming the sole U.S. race on the UCI World Cycling Tour takes the Berkshire Cycling Classic to a level we never could have anticipated,” stated Kimberly Flynn, Chairperson of the Lenox Marketing & Events committee. “We look forward to hosting cyclists from all over the world in May and for years to come as they enjoy the beauty and culture of Lenox and the Berkshires.””

Registered riders in the UCI WORLD CYCLING TOUR sanctioned Berkshire Cycling Classic will receive technical support provided by Mavic USA, well-positioned “feed zones”, or rest stops, complete with energy food, choices for hydration, and areas to relax as they tackle the course. Pre-registered riders will receive a commemorative t-shirt and vendors will be on-hand to sell a limited edition jersey. Following the main event, riders and their families will be invited to a post-ride celebrations hosted by our many local partners (locations to be announced later this month).

For more information, please visit www.berkshirecyclingclassic.com

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Diadora: Fluorescent Yellow Is In

The latest high end model from Diadora, the Jet Racer in fluorescent yellow:

It's an interesting contrast against the trendy Rapha style new "Grand Tour" shoes (this is the white version; there is also a black with white strap version): Follow on Twitter: ITALIANCYCJOURN

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2012 Trofeo Alfredo Binda

Marianne Vos (Stichting Rabo Women) won the Trofeo Alfredo Binda for third time yesterday by putting on a show of strength in the last few kilometers of the 131.2 km race. Vos left her opponents behind and arrived alone at the finish line with a 34-second advantage on a group of eight led by Tatiana Guderzo (MCipollini), while third place went to German rider Trixi Worrack (Team Specialized). Vos has strengthened her leadership in the World Cup, having now won the first two races (Ronde van Drenthe and Trofeo Alfredo Binda).

"I am delighted with this win," said Voss. "I really couldn’t say which of my three victories in Cittiglio was the best. Today the group reformed following Loes Gunnewijk’s (Greenedge) break and then I took advantage of a moment of indecision to break away from them".


Tatiana Guderzo, who has been recovering from stomach problems, was happy with second place, "I didn’t really feel good, then kilometer after kilometer I found the strength to keep going and end up being a protagonist at the finish line".

This was the only women's World Cup race scheduled in Italy this year. Their next World Cup race is April 1st, Tour of Flanders.

At the starting line, a minute’s silence was observed in memory of Michele Silvestri, an Italian soldier who was killed Saturday in Afghanistan.

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Cruising on the Seas and Cycling, and Cipo's Conflict

There is no end to how Italians combine cycling into their lives. Take for example, the "LA CROCIERA DEL CICLISMO", in partnership with the Gazzetta dello Sport, which is a cruise where cyclists take their bikes on board and can disembark and ride at various ports. The 3rd edition will feature cycling at four ports between 29 April to 6 May: Bari, Katakolon, Corfù, and Dubrovnik:

On this edition the riders will have the opportunity to ride with Francesco Moser and Mario Cipollini:

Mario Cipollini said in early March that, "I want to return to racing by coming to the Giro...... The following week, Cipollini said, "We’ve just come into contact with the UCI, and for them it’s also something quite new. At the moment there are email exchanges between my lawyer and their legal office to see what we have to do."

But there is a conflict: the Giro d'Italia begins May 5th in Denmark and the cruise lasts until May 6th.

Cruise information here.

Photo: from 2nd edition of LA CROCIERA DEL CICLISMO

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Cipollini Advises MCipollini Women's Team

Mario Cipollini recently spent a day in Calmasino di Bardolino, by Lake Garda, with the MCipollini-Giambenini-Gauss women's team sharing his years of experience. Cipollini discussed subjects ranging from nutrition, massage, stretching, position on the bike, to doing an early morning cycling workout on the road and working on the construction of a train for the sprint.

Video:


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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page

Granfondo Roma: IL Ciclismo Nella Capitale

Granfondo racing is coming for the first time to Rome on October 14, 2012.

The start and finish will be at Terme di Caracalla (Baths of Caracalla), built between 212 and 216 AD during the reign of the Emperor Caracalla:

The route will take riders past the Coliseum, Via Dei Fori Imperiale, Piazza di Spagna, and the Castelli Romani area.

Two routes will be available: 145 km with 2,282 meters of elevation gain and 91 km with 1,164 meters of elevation gain. The 145 km course:

A number of events (expo, test ride, etc.) are also being held.

The event website, in Italian only, is www.granfondoroma.it

Should you want the convenience of having everything organized for you can contact Eros Poli at www.eros-poli.com

Photo: Terme by Ninello52

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BICISPORT Now Available in English

The big Italian magazine BICISPORT became available in a digital version in February. Now it has also become available in English in the digital version. If you want the Italian slant on road cycling this would be a good choice. See here for subscription information.

Note: highlighting here comment left by Sidamo:
Just be prepared for a LONG wait before being able to read the magazine. I think it took 5 days after payment (via credit card) before the March issue showed up in the reader. It seems BiciSport are yet to grasp the pay/instant-download paradigm in use on the internet for the past decade.

Also, a lot of the payment process is in Italian (including transaction receipt etc.) so if you don't speak the language be prepared for some head scratching as you try to figure out if something has gone wrong because you can't yet read the magazine :-)"

And, from reader Robbin, "I got my registration sorted out, payment was quick and easy and the on-line edition was available to me right away. Awesome magazine, over 200 pages of stories and photos in the March edition.

You can sense the Italian passion for cycling on every page, really cool.

Thanks Angelo for letting your readers know about this new service."


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For Alfa Romeo Cycling Fans

Alfa Romeo wool cycling jersey made from merino wool, available from www.soigneur.co.nz. Read the Soigneur story here.

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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page

In Italy: Cycling Popularity Mirrors Bicycle Sales

The popularity of cycling in the various geographical areas of Italy is reflected in the distribution of the number of bicycles sold across the country in 2011:

41% in north east, includes Veneto, Trentino Alto Adige, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Emilia Romagna

27% in north west, includes Piemonte, Valle d’Aosta, Liguria, and Lombardia

17% in center, includes Toscana, Umbria, Marche, Lazio

15% in south and islands, includes Abruzzo, Molise, Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria, Sicilia and Sardegna

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2012 Maratona dles Dolomites

If you were not selected in the random drawing for the 2012 Maratona dles Dolomites you will have another chance to enter via 165 registrations at an increased price on March 22, 2012, starting at 6 p.m. (GMT+1) at www.maratona.it.

There will be 150 GOLD registrations at a price of 200.00 euro and 15 PLATINUM registrations at a price of 400.00 euro, purchased by credit card only online. The registration fee of 83 euro is included, the difference will be given to charitable organizations (further information: http://www.maratona.it/info/charity-2012/en).

With the purchase of a charity registration you will get a small souvenir of the event in addition to a preferential starting grid, Platinum registrations in the first starting grid and Gold registrations in the second grid.

The Maratona is on July 1, 2012.

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fi’zi:k by James Straffon

By www.james-straffon-palette.co.uk

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Selle Italia Launches All-New Website

Selle Italia has launched an all new website at www.selleitalia.com. "Our new website has the same URL with a lot of great features", explained Ingrid Bordignon, Selle Italia Marketing & Communication Manager. "We have incorporated social media, with YouTube, Facebook and Twitter playing a key role in the restyling and renewal of our site."

In addition to social media, Selle Italia's new website has all the new product news and product information on Selle Italia. "We have included an extensive array of product information on the new website as well as tutorial videos on assembling and fitting our new Selle Italia products."

www.selleitalia.com is available for all new devices, so smartphone and tablet users can easily interface with the site. The new dealer locator feature using Google Map’s offers precise information on how to find a Selle Italia dealer anywhere worldwide.

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2012 Milan-Sanremo to Simon Gerrans, Part II

Part I

Here is what happened to some of the favorites:

Liquigas-Cannondale's Agnoli pulled away on the Le Manie, 97 km from the finish, with Nibali in tow, a move that put Cavendish into trouble and from which he was never able to recover. A dream unfullfilled: that of joining Binda, Merckx and Saronni as the only riders to have won MSR as world champion. Cavendish didn't say anything to the press after the race but his teammate Bernhard Eisel was blunt, "Mark just didn't have it today, it's as simple as that. He was going well in Tirreno but seemed to be lacking some horsepower out there today. It's a shame because he really wanted to win this and he's disappointed, for sure."


The race for Alessandro Pettachi ended on the approach to Capi when he lost the wheels of the peloton and eventually withdrew. Petacchi had started at not 100% after having pulled out of the Tirreno-Adriatico.

Philippe Gilbert, looking very well, crashed at 22 km to go and although he restarted quickly any chance for a victory was over. "It was Dominique Rollin from FDJ who was maybe on the limit and taking a lot of risks," Gilbert said. "He made a lot of riders fall around me. I was afraid because there were cars passing on my right. I slid on my back and then other riders crashed into me from behind."

Tom Boonen was a few seconds behind Cancellara, Gerrans and Nibali on the descent of the Poggio when he was caught behind a crash. "I had really good legs, maybe the best legs ever in Milano-San Remo," Boonen said. "It was always under control and the team did a really good job for me. They kept me in the first 10 to 15 positions in all important moments of the race. Then on the Poggio I was 7th or 8th when we took the corner to go downhill. I was really good, the team was with me, and we were in good position ready to fight for victory. Then, in the first part of the downhill a rider crashed, and I was just behind him. I had to brake, and lost 100 meters. Because of that it was impossible to come back."

Matthew Goss tired on the Cipressa and the Poggio where he found himself at the back of the lead group from which Gerrans and Cancellara went after Nibali's attack.

More from the winners:

From Cancellara, who finished 2nd for the second year in a row: "I had lactic acid coming out my ears too. If you go from the top of the Poggio to the finish full on, it’s clear that at the end the gas runs out.”


From winner Gerrans: "Without question Fabian was the strongest, I can’t deny him that. He was going like a motorbike. Really, he followed Nibali and myself on the Poggio and then he drove it across the top. He’s one of the best descenders in the peloton and he drove it down the descent. I was losing the wheel coming out of the corners each time. It’s not always the strongest guy who wins the race. You have to play a little smart and be there.”

Six more one-day classics now follow over March and April in Belgium, France and the Netherlands. Then the Giro d'Italia begins on May 5th in Herning, Denmark.

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2012 Milan-Sanremo to Simon Gerrans

Australian national champion Simon Gerrans (GreenEdge Cycling Team) has won the 103rd edition of Milan-Sanremo. Gerrans, Fabian Cancellara and Vincenzo Nibali attacked and escaped the remnants of the peloton on the ascent of the Poggio and Cancellara led all the way on the descent and up to the last meters when Gerrans came around. Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack Nissan Trek) finished 2nd, Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas Cannondale) finished 3rd.

"When Cancellara pulled so hard I knew there was a good chance of reaching the finish line," said Gerrans. "I rode with great coolness and I waited until the last few meters to play my card. I gave what I could to help the escape succeed but knowing that Fabian is so strong I kept a reserve of energy for the sprint. I didn't speak with Goss much during the race but the plan was that I would go on an escape and if it failed Goss would be there for the sprint."

"Milan-San Remo is becoming a very fortunate race for us Australians, last year Goss won now I've won. I do not think there was a better way to win a big race like this, with the Australian team being supported by a great project, and wearing the Australian champion's jersey on my shoulders. I think it's the best I could ask."

The final 7.5 km beginning with Nibali's attack on the Poggio:


The 298 km were raced in 6h 59’ 24” at average speed of 42,632 km/h.

Gerran's win stretches the victories of foreigners over Italians to 53 vs. 50.

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2012 Milan-Sanremo, Get Ready!

The 103rd edition of Milan-Sanremo begins tomorrow at 0945 (Italy time) at Piazza Castello in Milano. The finish after 298 km, on Lungomare Italo Calvino, in Sanremo is expected between 1700 and 1730.

Favorites: Australian Goss, winner of the last edition (above), World Champion Cavendish, Spaniard Freire (attempting to win his 4th MSR), Belgium's Boonen, the American Farrar, the German Greipel; Slovak Sagan; the now-Australian Haussler and Italians Petacchi and Modolo. Hopefuls for launching an attack on the Cipressa or Poggio in order to not to contest a sprint finish would be Gilbert, Cancellara, Nibali, Italian national champion Visconti, Pozzato, Cunego, Garzelli and Nocentini.

Outside of Italy the race is being broadcast live by:
Eurosport (Europe and Asia Pacific)
Universal Sports (USA e Canada)
J Sports (Japan)
Televisa Deporte Network (Mexico and Central America)
TV 2 Norway (Norway)
NOS (Holland)
VRT (Belgium)
RTBF (Belgium)
SRG SSR (Switzerland)
EITB (Spain)

Italy's RAI will televise the race live on RAI Sport 2 beginning at 1430 and also on RAI Tre beginning at 1450.

The race will also be broadcast via interent streaming 1450 at www.gazzetta.it. You can also check English language websites www.cyclingfans.com and www.steephill.tv for feeds that they each pick up in various languages and stream.

Start list:
GEC GREENEDGE CYCLING TEAM AUS
1 AUS19861105 GOSS Matthew Harley AUS
2 AUS19730806 O'GRADY Stuart AUS
3 NED19850117 LANGEVELD Sebastian NED
4 AUS19800516 GERRANS Simon AUS
5 AUS19781012 COOKE Baden AUS
6 LTU19820204 VAITKUS Tomas LTU
7 CAN19770509 TUFT Svein CAN
8 AUS19771001 WILSON Mat AUS
D.S. WHITE Matthew

ASA ACQUA & SAPONE ITA
11 ITA19821226 CORIONI Claudio ITA
12 COL19891013 BETANCUR GOMEZ Carlos A. COL
13 ITA19760102 DI LUCA Danilo ITA
14 ITA19841106 CIAVATTA Paolo ITA
15 ITA19851006 GINANNI Francesco ITA
16 ITA19821119 REDA Francesco ITA
17 ITA19810131 NAPOLITANO Danilo ITA
18 ITA19850605 TABORRE Fabio ITA
D.S. CENGHIALTA Bruno

ALM AG2R LA MONDIALE FRA
21 ITA19851014 BELLETTI Manuel ITA
22 FRA19861103 BOUET Maxime FRA
23 BEL19861121 GODDAERT Kristof BEL
24 FRA19740211 HINAULT Sébastien FRA
25 FRA19820426 MONDORY Lloyd FRA
26 ITA19840106 MONTAGUTI Matteo ITA
27 ITA19770925 NOCENTINI Rinaldo ITA
28 FRA19810117 RIBLON Christophe FRA
D.S. KASPUTIS Arturas

AST ASTANA PRO TEAM KAZ
31 SLO19800808 BOZIC Borut SLO
32 ITA19820322 GASPAROTTO Enrico ITA
33 ITA19840801 GAVAZZI Francesco ITA
34 ITA19870814 GUARNIERI Jacopo ITA
35 KAZ19810418 IGLINSKIY Maxim KAZ
36 KAZ19860313 GRUZDEV Dmitriy KAZ
37 KAZ19791102 MURAVYEV Dmitriy KAZ
38 ITA19870117 PONZI Simone ITA
D.S. SHEFER Alexandr

BMC BMC RACING TEAM USA
41 BEL19820705 GILBERT Philippe BEL
42 ITA19791106 BALLAN Alessandro ITA
43 USA19730629 HINCAPIE George USA
44 GER19830630 BURGHARDT Marcus GER
45 USA19900627 PHINNEY Taylor USA
46 ITA19791030 QUINZIATO Manuel ITA
47 SUI19860929 SCHÄR Michael SUI
48 BEL19850517 VAN AVERMAET Greg BEL
D.S. LELANGUE John

COL COLOMBIA-COLDEPORTES COL
51 COL19860611 DUARTE AREVALO Fabio Andres COL
52 COL19891004 ROMERO Jeffry COL
53 COL19830803 FORERO CARRENO Juan Pablo COL
54 COL19870828 OSORIO CARBAJAL Franck Yair COL
55 COL19790706 LAVERDE JIMENEZ Luis Felipe COL
56 COL19740710 PENA GRISALES Victor Hugo COL
57 COL19860305 QUINTERO Carlos Julian COL
58 COL19850530 SUAREZ SUAREZ Juan Pablo COL
D.S. TEBALDI Valerio

COG COLNAGO - CSF INOX IRL
61 ITA19870619 MODOLO Sacha ITA
62 ITA19881226 CANOLA Marco ITA
63 ITA19891117 BATTAGLIN Enrico ITA
64 ITA19891104 LOCATELLI Paolo ITA
65 ITA19880804 PAGANI Angelo ITA
66 ITA19880822 COLEDAN Marco ITA
67 ITA19850502 SAVINI Filippo ITA
68 ITA19870822 BRAMBILLA Gianluca ITA
D.S. REVERBERI Roberto

EUS EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI ESP
71 ESP19781104 VERDUGO MARCOTEGUI Gorka ESP
72 ESP19890204 IZAGUIRRE INSAUSTI Jon ESP
73 ESP19891213 LANDA MEANA Mikel ESP
74 ESP19800329 URTASUN PEREZ Pablo ESP
75 ESP19780515 MARTINEZ DE ESTEBAN Egoi ESP
76 ESP19811030 PEREZ MORENO Ruben ESP
77 ESP19800711 OROZ UGALDE Juan Jose ESP
78 ESP19821110 TXURRUKA Amets ESP
D.S. GLEZ DE GALDEANO Alvaro

FAR FARNESE VINI - SELLE ITALIA ITA
81 ITA19810910 POZZATO Filippo ITA
82 ITA19850101 GATTO Oscar ITA
83 ITA19740204 MAZZANTI Luca ITA
84 BEL19780411 HULSMANS Kevin BEL
85 ITA19810731 CACCIA Diego ITA
86 ITA19860605 DE NEGRI Pier Paolo ITA
87 ITA19831216 FAILLI Francesco ITA
88 ITA19890131 FAVILLI Elia ITA
D.S. SCINTO Luca

FDJ FDJ - BIG MAT FRA
91 FRA19820625 BONNET William FRA
92 FRA19830906 CHAINEL Steve FRA
93 FRA19800609 GESLIN Anthony FRA
94 FRA19841212 LADAGNOUS Mathieu FRA
95 FRA19841006 GERARD Arnaud FRA
96 NOR19760408 RASCH Gabriel NOR
97 CAN19821029 ROLLIN Dominique CAN
98 FRA19881126 VICHOT Arthur FRA
D.S. GAYANT Martial

GRM GARMIN - BARRACUDA USA
101 USA19840602 FARRAR Tyler USA
102 BRA19790616 FISCHER Murilo Antonio BRA
103 AUS19840225 HAUSSLER Heinrich AUS
104 GER19760115 KLIER Andreas GER
105 RSA19770422 HUNTER Robert RSA
106 GBR19770104 MILLAR David GBR
107 GER19800620 WEGMANN Fabian GER
108 BEL19810204 VAN SUMMEREN Johan BEL
D.S. VAN LANCKER Eric

KAT KATUSHA TEAM RUS
111 ESP19760215 FREIRE GOMEZ Oscar ESP
112 ESP19791226 FLORENCIO CABRE Xavier ESP
113 RUS19820704 GUSEV Vladimir RUS
114 RUS19821207 VORGANOV Eduard RUS
115 ESP19770413 VICIOSO ARCOS Angel ESP
116 SLO19860623 SPILAK Simon SLO
117 ITA19770117 PAOLINI Luca ITA
118 NOR19870705 KRISTOFF Alexander NOR
D.S. PIVA Valerio

LAM LAMPRE - ISD ITA
121 ITA19740103 PETACCHI Alessandro ITA
122 SLO19850813 BOLE Grega SLO
123 ITA19760328 RIGHI Daniele ITA
124 ITA19890813 CIMOLAI Davide ITA
125 GER19740104 HONDO Danilo GER
126 ITA19810919 CUNEGO Damiano ITA
127 ITA19890715 ULISSI Diego ITA
128 ITA19840612 VIGANO Davide ITA
D.S. PIOVANI Maurizio

LIQ LIQUIGAS - CANNONDALE ITA
131 ITA19841114 NIBALI Vincenzo ITA
132 SVK19900126 SAGAN Peter SVK
133 ITA19850106 AGNOLI Valerio ITA
134 POL19850307 BODNAR Maciej POL
135 ITA19801210 LONGO BORGHINI Paolo ITA
136 SLO19861125 KOREN Kristjan SLO
137 ITA19870113 OSS Daniel ITA
138 ITA19890207 VIVIANI Elia ITA
D.S. SCIREA Mario

LTB LOTTO BELISOL TEAM BEL
141 GER19820716 GREIPEL André GER
142 DEN19800116 BAK Lars Ytting DEN
143 AUS19810511 HANSEN Adam AUS
144 NZL19760910 HENDERSON Gregory NZL
145 ESP19810730 REYNES MIMO Vicente ESP
146 GER19820430 SIEBERG Marcel GER
147 BEL19850219 VANENDERT Jelle BEL
148 BEL19790908 WILLEMS Frederik BEL
D.S. FRISON Erman

MOV MOVISTAR TEAM ESP
151 ITA19830113 VISCONTI Giovanni ITA
152 CRC19860829 AMADOR BIKKAZAKOVA Andrey CRC
153 ITA19740615 BRUSEGHIN Marzio ITA
154 POR19861005 COSTA Rui Alberto Faria POR
155 ESP19760120 LASTRAS GARCIA Pablo ESP
156 ESP19851001 HERRADA LOPEZ Jose ESP
157 ESP19880730 MADRAZO RUIZ Angel ESP
158 ESP19820506 VENTOSO ALBERDI Francisco J. ESP
D.S. JAIMERENA Josè Luis

OPQ OMEGA PHARMA - QUICKSTEP BEL
161 BEL19801015 BOONEN Tom BEL
162 GER19860919 CIOLEK Gerald GER
163 NED19840518 TERPSTRA Niki NED
164 ITA19890802 TRENTIN Matteo ITA
165 BEL19860409 MAES Nikolas BEL
166 FRA19800102 PINEAU Jérome FRA
167 SVK19850221 VELITS Peter SVK
168 BEL19840425 VANDENBERGH Stijn BEL
D.S. BRAMATI Davide

PRO PROJECT 1T4I NED
171 GER19890107 DEGENKOLB John GER
172 GER19850609 FROHLINGER Johannes GER
173 NED19820908 DE KORT Koen NED
174 NED19791227 CURVERS Roy NED
175 GER19860205 KLUGE Roger GER
176 NED19840914 VEELERS Tom NED
177 GER19860313 GESCHKE Simon GER
178 CHN19870715 JI Cheng CHN
D.S. GUIBERTEAU Christian

RAB RABOBANK CYCLING TEAM NED
181 NED19851230 BOOM Lars NED
182 NED19851226 LEEZER Tom NED
183 DEN19840831 BRESCHEL Matti DEN
184 GER19831026 MARTENS Paul GER
185 BEL19820513 WYNANTS Maarten BEL
186 AUS19821022 RENSHAW Mark AUS
187 NED19781203 TANKINK Bram NED
188 NED19771105 TJALLINGII Maarten NED
D.S. MAASSEN Frans

RNT RADIOSHACK NISSAN TREK LUX
191 SUI19810318 CANCELLARA Fabian SUI
192 ITA19800924 BENNATI Daniele ITA
193 FRA19880524 GALLOPIN Tony FRA
194 ESP19800205 IRIZAR ARANBURU Markel ESP
195 SUI19800117 RAST Grégory SUI
196 UKR19800104 POPOVYCH Yaroslav UKR
197 NZL19810110 ROULSTON Hayden NZL
198 GER19830417 WAGNER Robert GER
D.S. GUERCILENA Luca

SKY SKY PROCYCLING GBR
201 GBR19850521 CAVENDISH Mark GBR
202 NOR19870517 BOASSON HAGEN Edvald NOR
203 AUT19810217 EISEL Bernhard AUT
204 AUS19780420 HAYMAN Mathew AUS
205 GBR19740312 HUNT Jeremy GBR
206 SWE19840404 LÖVKVIST Thomas SWE
207 ITA19890831 PUCCIO Salvatore ITA
208 GBR19870525 STANNARD Ian GBR
D.S. DE JONG Steven

SAX TEAM SAXO BANK DEN
211 DEN19750514 SORENSEN Nicki DEN
212 DEN19850214 LUND Anders DEN
213 NED19760129 KROON Karsten NED
214 DEN19860420 JOERGENSEN Jonas Aaen DEN
215 ITA19871203 BOARO Manuele ITA
216 DEN19850430 MORKOV Michael DEN
217 AUS19840930 TANNER David AUS
218 ITA19740514 TOSATTO Matteo ITA
D.S. GATES Nicholas

UNA UTENSILNORD NAMED IRL
221 ITA19800715 BAILETTI Paolo ITA
222 ITA19800806 BOSISIO Gabriele ITA
223 ITA19880605 BAGGIO Filippo ITA
224 MDA19870609 BERDOS Oleg MDA
225 ITA19881111 FEDI Matteo ITA
226 ITA19850221 MAGGIORE Gianluca ITA
227 ITA19860114 ROCCHETTI Federico ITA
228 ESP19751011 VILA ERRANDONEA Francisco J. ESP
D.S. TABAI Marco

TT1 TEAM TYPE 1 - SANOFI USA
231 ITA19820419 COLLI Daniele ITA
232 NOR19890207 LAENGEN Vegard Stake NOR
233 FRA19860203 CUSIN Remi FRA
234 FRA19850601 EL FARES Julien FRA
235 SLO19841018 KOCJAN Jure SLO
236 NED19850504 VERSCHOOR Martijn NED
237 AUT19900617 PREIDLER Georg AUT
238 USA19860601 REIJNEN Kiel USA
D.S. PODENZANA Massimo

VCD VACANSOLEIL - DCM PRO C.TEAM NED
241 ITA19840211 MARCATO Marco ITA
242 NED19830513 HOOGERLAND Johnny NED
243 BEL19870213 BOECKMANS Kris BEL
244 SWE19800920 LARSSON Gustav Erik SWE
245 BEL19770701 LEUKEMANS Björn BEL
246 NED19880616 LIGTHART Pim NED
247 NED19890616 LINDEMAN Bertjan NED
248 BEL19780904 VEUCHELEN Frederik BEL
D.S. VAN DER SCHUEREN Hilaire



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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page

Milan-Sanremo, Some Facts

First race: 1907

Italian Victories: 50

Foreign Victories: 52
-Belgium 20
-France 12
-Germany 5
-Spain 5
-Holland 3
-Switzerland 2
-Ireland 2
-Great Britain 2
-Australia 1


Most victories by an Italian: 6 by Costante Girardengo, 1918, 1921, 1923, 1925, 1926, 1928; Bartali and Coppi had three victories each.


Most victories by a foreign rider: 7 by Eddy Merckx (Belgium), 1966, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1976 (photo: Merckx winning his first MSR).

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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page

Eddy Merckx Inducted into Giro d'Italia Hall of Fame

Milan, March 15, 2012 - The Belgian champion Eddy Merckx is the first rider to be inducted into the newly formed Giro d'Italia "Hall of Fame". The inauguration was held this afternoon at the Sala Montanelli in via Solferino in Milano. The Hall of Fame of the Giro d'Italia is a "first" in international cycling, designed to give tribute to the great champions who have entered into the history of the Corsa Rosa.

Eddy Merckx, the "Cannibal", was presented with the Trofeo Senza Fine (Trophy Without End) for 1974 which is when Merckx won his last of five 5 Giros.

Eddy Merckx won his first Giro at 22 years of age, in 1973 he was the pink jersey from start to finish, wore the Maglia Rosa for a total of 78 days, and he won 25 stages in total.

Attending the induction ceremony were some of the Italian cycling greats and some that shared Merckx's exploits: Alfredo Martini, Fiorenzo Magni, Ernesto Colnago, Gianni Motta, Italo Zilioli, Giorgio Albani, Marino Vigna, David Boifava, Ugo De Rosa and Mario Molteni (son of the famous sponsor of Merckx).

"To be the first to enter into this Hall of Fame is a great honor for me. Italy is my second home, here I feel as loved as I do at home in Belgium,"said Merckx. "The victory on the Tre cime di Lavaredo of the 1968 Giro was undoubtedly the day where I was strongest in the mountains in all of my career."

"Italian cycling is very important for me: I learned a lot from Adorni, my friendship with Magni took me to Italy, then I met Colnago, then De Rosa taught me how to make bicycles, with Motta I had some good battles, and my friend always....Zilioli."

The first Italian race in which Merckx took part was the 1966 Milan-Sanremo which he won. For Saturday's Milan-Sanremo Merckx obeserved, "There are so many riders in good form: Nibali, Cancellara, and Freire who could win his fourth. If Cavendish doesn't get dropped on the the Poggio I think it's really hard to beat him. Among the Belgians, I think that Boonen is the best bet, I think Gilbert is not going so well. Nibali has great qualities, however, he must learn to ride more with his head. If he's riding well I think can make a difference on the Poggio."

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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page

Leading up to Milan-Sanremo: Giro d'Italia Hall of Fame

Several events are planned for today and tomorrow leading up to Milan-Sanremo on Saturday. Of these the most interesting is the induction today of Eddy Merckx into the new Giro d'Italia "Hall of Fame". Attending will be Alfredo Martini, Fiorenzo Magni, Felice Gimondi, Ernesto Colnago, Gianni Motta, Vittorio Adorni, Italo Zilioli, Giorgio Albani, Davide Boifava, Ugo De Rosa and Mario Molteni (son of the famous sponsor of Merckx).

Important times (Italy) for Milan-Sanremo on Saturday, March 17, 2012:

Start at 1010 on Via della Chiesa Rossa, Milano
Finish: estimated 1700-1730 on Lungomare Italo Calvino, Sanremo.

The route for the longest, 298 km, race in cycling:


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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page