Wednesday, March 15, 2006
La Primavera Preparations
In many ways it’s really a lottery, but at the same time Saturday’s Milan-San Remo is a two-man show with Alessandro Pettachi and Tom Boonen the protagonists. Sure, Oscar Friere could take the days honors – either by again capitalizing on early celebrations, or also on the merits of his own fast finish – or someone like Alejandro Valverde may finally be able to put in the attack on the run-in that leaves the charging peloton behind. But, until proven otherwise, Milan-San Remo is now sprinter’s domain, and there’s no reason to suggest anyone else will be in a position to rain on the parade of the two heavy-weights of sprinting Saturday. (Even Mother Nature is currently expected to hold off until Saturday night.)
Of course, Paolo Bettini was ready to crash the party, flying high at the beginning of the Tirreno-Adriatico warm-ups, but a hard crash on stage 3 puts paid to his chances. Although he will start Saturday, knee pain combined with the longest race of the season is not a recipe for success. Bettini can nurse his wounds, knowing that he also has great chances in the other Spring Classics. Though obviously there is nothing like winning La Primavera for an Italian rider.
Bettini’s misfortune is likely to benefit his teammate Boonen, who looks to be the hot rider coming in after taking three stages in Paris-Nice. And looking coolly comfortable in doing so. Skipped the last day to reconnoiter the final stages of the race down the Italian Riviera with most of his lead-out train – apparently the tenth time this season at least that Boonen has trained on the course, a nice additional benefit of taking a tax-exile in Monte Carlo. Bettini’s sidelining will mean there is no sand in Boonen’s well-oiled lead-out train, even if Quick Step does sacrifice some tactical options by not having the Cricket as a potential break-away threat. Oddly, just as he did last year, Boonen is flying back to Belgium for a few days rather than remaining in Italy (or Monte Carlo) for the remainder of the week. That plan didn’t work so well for him last year…
While Boonen has perhaps covered the route onto the Via Roma more than anyone in training this year, no squad has covered the course more in a winning fashion than Milram. In addition to defending champ Pettachi, four-time winner Erik Zabel will be rushing down the Poggio in the new baby-blue abomination that is the jersey of the German-Italian team. But in contrast to the smooth workings at Quick Step, preparations at Milram appear to be anything but. Tirreno-Adriatico was an exercise in futility for the squad and seemed to confirm the foolishness of trying to forge a team out of two sprinters with similar ambitions. That they finally seemed to get on the same page for the win in the last stage suggests that perhaps roles have been settled – most likely with Zabel working for Pettachi on Saturday, and then leading the squad’s campaign in the other upcoming Classics.
If Milram does have their internal issues sorted out, the race is Pettachi’s to lose. After all, while Zabel benefited from riding on Gian-Matteo Fagnini’s wheel, no one previously had the luxury of being led up the Via Roma by a four-time winner on the Via Roma.
Of course, Paolo Bettini was ready to crash the party, flying high at the beginning of the Tirreno-Adriatico warm-ups, but a hard crash on stage 3 puts paid to his chances. Although he will start Saturday, knee pain combined with the longest race of the season is not a recipe for success. Bettini can nurse his wounds, knowing that he also has great chances in the other Spring Classics. Though obviously there is nothing like winning La Primavera for an Italian rider.
Bettini’s misfortune is likely to benefit his teammate Boonen, who looks to be the hot rider coming in after taking three stages in Paris-Nice. And looking coolly comfortable in doing so. Skipped the last day to reconnoiter the final stages of the race down the Italian Riviera with most of his lead-out train – apparently the tenth time this season at least that Boonen has trained on the course, a nice additional benefit of taking a tax-exile in Monte Carlo. Bettini’s sidelining will mean there is no sand in Boonen’s well-oiled lead-out train, even if Quick Step does sacrifice some tactical options by not having the Cricket as a potential break-away threat. Oddly, just as he did last year, Boonen is flying back to Belgium for a few days rather than remaining in Italy (or Monte Carlo) for the remainder of the week. That plan didn’t work so well for him last year…
While Boonen has perhaps covered the route onto the Via Roma more than anyone in training this year, no squad has covered the course more in a winning fashion than Milram. In addition to defending champ Pettachi, four-time winner Erik Zabel will be rushing down the Poggio in the new baby-blue abomination that is the jersey of the German-Italian team. But in contrast to the smooth workings at Quick Step, preparations at Milram appear to be anything but. Tirreno-Adriatico was an exercise in futility for the squad and seemed to confirm the foolishness of trying to forge a team out of two sprinters with similar ambitions. That they finally seemed to get on the same page for the win in the last stage suggests that perhaps roles have been settled – most likely with Zabel working for Pettachi on Saturday, and then leading the squad’s campaign in the other upcoming Classics.
If Milram does have their internal issues sorted out, the race is Pettachi’s to lose. After all, while Zabel benefited from riding on Gian-Matteo Fagnini’s wheel, no one previously had the luxury of being led up the Via Roma by a four-time winner on the Via Roma.
