Spanish Shorts

Last Bash.

The last proper race of the Spanish season was last sunday at the hill of Montjuic in Barcelona. It’s a race of ”two halves”, first a bunch race then a time trial. The overall winer was Joseba Beloki (ONCE), who won the bunch race from Casas (Big) and Beltran (Coast). In the time trial he was second to Sevilla (Kelme) and Casas third. Also on the bill for the day was eight supporting races, including women, juniors, kids, oldies, tandems & mountain bikers, up the same hill.

After the race Beloki said ”it was a great year, with small victories.” its hard to please some people!

Freire For Rabobank.

At last it’s official! Oscar Freire has signed his contract for the next two years with the Dutch team Rabobank, ending speculation that he would be Jalabert’s replacement at CSC-Tiscali.

Aitor For Fassa Bortolo?

The winer of the Vuelta a Espaсa, Aitor Gonzбlez now of Kelme, will probably sign with Italian team Fassa Bortolo, he is due to make an anouncement on wednesday. His options seem to be ibanesto.com for one year or the new Mecatone Uno or the new Quick Step. Looks like Fassa then!

Telekom For Botero?

World champ against the clock, Santiago Botero (Kelme) has caught the intrest of Telekom team boss Walter Godefroot for next year. But the usual problem that he still has a year left on his present contract will have to be sorted out first.

Cassagrande & Belli to Lampre.

Two big signings for the end of the season is Francesco Casagrande, ex-world No. 1, and Wladimir Belli, both of Fassa Bortolo, to go to Lampre.

But No Bikes!

But big loss at Lampre is Fondriest bikes. They have decided that the Lampre team is a very Italian team and they want to appeal more to America and all of Europe, where the money is?

Brochard To AG2R.

Ex-world champ and now top Frenchman, now that Jajas retired, has signed a one year contract for the team of Vincent Lavenu, AG2R.

Pat On The Back!

Footballing giant Ronaldo, of Real Madrid and Brazil, phoned Super Mario, the lion King of the world, on his mobile after the championships at Zolder. Cipollini is a big fan of Inter Milan, Ronaldo’s old team, the pair of Super Stars had met on numerous occasions in the past and have kept in contact.

2 Old Teams = 1 New Team.

The teams of De Nardi and Colpack are to fuse into one for next year. The Slovak-Italian team want to ride (surprize surprize!) the Tour de France in the future.