March 19, 2005
Petacchi takes Milan-San Remo
Alessandro Petacchi took his biggest win of the year, outsprinting Danilo Hondo, who has come second in everything but "German Idol" this year, and Thor Hushovd.
It's Petacchi's 13th 2005 win, following three stage wins in Tirreno-Adriatico last week. Pre-race favorite Oscar Freire apparently got boxed out of the finishing sprint.
Stuart O'Grady was 4th, and Freire finished 5th.
Discovery Channel's two best hopes in the race, Max Van Heeswijk and George Hincapie, both scratched, leaving Stijn Devolder the team leader.
Similarly, Robbie McEwen withdrew, leaving American Fred Rodriguez the Davitamon-Lotto designated sprinter.
CyclingNews | Milan-San Remo results
VeloNews | Milan-San Remo live coverage
Daily Peloton | Incredibly detailed Milan-San Remo live coverage
Posted by Frank Steele on March 19, 2005 in Alessandro Petacchi, Danilo Hondo, Milan-San Remo '05, Top Stories | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 17, 2005
Milan-San Remo previews
procycling | No rainbow jersey at San Remo
When I saw procycling's story, I thought a disaster had befallen last year's Milan-San Remo winner, Oscar Freire, coming off a victory and three stage wins at Tirreno-Adriatico, and he wouldn't be riding Saturday.
Turns out, he's been told he can't wear his rainbow jersey, representing his current world championship, because his win at Tirreno-Adriatico vaulted him into the lead of the UCI ProTour competition.
Since the UCI sets the rules, the white jersey awarded to ProTour leaders has precedence over the rainbow (as the rainbow takes precedence over national championship jerseys).
Freire said he has practical reasons he would prefer to wear the rainbow jersey:
“I’d be better wearing the rainbow jersey because people let you pass when you’ve got it on.”
Even the UCI's road racing coordinator admits the situation is "not ideal:"
“Imagine if Freire has a fantastic season and remains leader of the ProTour throughout, then we would never see the world champion’s jersey in the big events all year. The UCI’s management committee has asked us to mull over this issue.”
Also:
cycling4all.com | Milan-San Remo provisional startlist
CyclingNews.com | 96th Milan-San Remo: Five firm favourites
Their picks: Freire, of course; Paolo Bettini, who won in 2003; Erik Zabel, who should be out for blood after blowing last year's race at the line; Alessandro Petacchi, who may not have the gas for a race this long; and Australia's Allan Davis of Liberty Seguros.
PezCycling | Milan-San Remo - A Primer
Daily Peloton | Milan-San Remo - Team News
Posted by Frank Steele on March 17, 2005 in Erik Zabel, Milan-San Remo '05, Oscar Freire | Permalink | Comments (0)
