Defending Tour de France champion Carlos Sastre gave the clear sign that he’s coming into form when he finished with the group of favourites at Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Sunday. Sastre was part of the chasing bunch which crossed the line 1.24 minutes behind solo victor Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank), and rolled home in the same time as several of his rivals for the Tour.
“The Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the last race that I have ridden before the Italian Giro, has left me with a very good feeling, he says on his web-site. I think that all the training I’ve done at home and the races that I’ve ridden have helped me to attain the level of fitness that I was looking for. I feel as though I’m ready to take on the Giro with guarantees”.
”My team has once again ridden a very nice race, with a great performance by Marcel Wyss, who stayed up front throughout the whole race and with a sixth position by Simon Guerrans. I think the team has covered a very important start of the season and it was really good for me because I was able to do the things that I wanted in terms of managing and above all, prepare as I should to reach the Italian Giro (my first important goal of this season) in the best of conditions, as I believe I will”.
“From now on, I’m not going to race, I have a little over a week to stay at home and refine my technique to arrive at Venice ready to take on the Giro with guarantees”.
For more information:
Carlossastre.com
While browsing YouTube, I found this great lead-out for Thor Hushovd during Tour of California, stage 3. It was freezing rain, but the Men-In-Black still managed to pull of a text book lead out for Thor.
With Thor Hushovd turning his focus on the Tour de France, we hope to see more of this during the summer!
The centennial edition of the Giro d’Italia will kick-off in less than 11 days on May 9 in Venice. The Cervélo Test Team has shaved it Giro d’Italia rider list from 12 to the nine that will start in Venice. The team is aiming for a top three finish on general classification in Italy according to sports director Jean-Paul van Poppel.
“We are going for a top result in the general classification with the leader and Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre,” said van Poppel. “He will get support from the entire team to reach a top three place in the general classification.”
Australia’s Simon Gerrans has been drafted into the squad with the aim of claiming a stage victory. Gerrans took his first Grand Tour stage victory in France last year.
“Another target is a stage win during the 100 anniversary edition of the Giro,” said van Poppel. “With Simon Gerrans the team has a good candidate to win a stage, though we also have Philip Deignan and Hayden Roulston as potential stage winners.”
The Norwegian Sprinter Thor Hushovd, also in the 12 man pre-selection for the Giro Team, decided last week to turn his focus on the Tour and will not start in the Giro, “I had a hard classic season and need a good break. After that, I will start building up my shape slowly for my next big goal, the Tour de France. For the Giro, I would have had to be ready right from the beginning of the race, but I haven’t had enough time to prepare.” Hushovd said.
Cervélo Test Team riders list:
Carlos Sastre (ESP)
Philip Deignan (IRL)
Simon Gerrans (AUS)
Volodymir Gustov (UKR)
Jeremy Hunt (GBR)
Ted King (USA)
Ignatas Konovalovas (LTU)
Serge Pauwels (BEL)
Hayden Roulston (NZL)
Kirsten Wild raced to her second victory of the weekend on Sunday winning the Grand Prix Stad Roeselare (Belgium).
“Today we controlled the entire race,” said Manel Lacambra, Sports Director Cervélo (Women) TestTeam. “We maintained a high speed to prevent any chance of attack and consequently there was none, not even from our team as we were looking for a sprint. In the final Sarah (Düster) did the lead out for Kirsten and again she was the strongest and won the race. Two victories within 24 hours. We are very glad – it was a perfect race from the entire team – everyone did a great work and the victory was our reward.”
Kirsten Wild - Grand Prix Stad Roeselare (Belgium)