He feared like the plague. Worse yet.
"I knew he was back at 100% and for me, it was the most dangerous. I had even warned Paez yesterday evening. It was the monitor ..." these words are those of Thomas Dietsch. Yes, the giant Alsatian feared Miguel Martinez. The former world champion who had a cross on the bike in October 2006 decided to resume the path of business. As long road with the team from the Vatican, Amore e Vita ATV that with the formation New Cycling: "I'm going to prepare for marathons" he announced. Finished on Friday at Manavgat, Martinez was afraid. And not only Dietsch.
But this morning, is primarily a group of seven men who stand out from the early kilometres. All men's marathon strengths are there. Both Bianchi, Leo Paez and Thomas Dietsch, but Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm (Team Bulls), Johnny Cattaneo and Miguel Martinez. A man lost an appeal: Massimo de Bertolis (Full Dynamix). The champion Italy marathon fact pale figure and sailing far from its level of yesteryear. Although fast men attacked a long climb along a dam. The group will not delay to explode. From the earliest ramps, Thomas Dietsch is the first to put everyone in pressure. Replica immediate Miguel Martinez. And the two French find themselves isolated. On the long and rolling ascent, the former Olympic champion makes his qualities speak of road. Before switch, it has about thirty seconds. In the descent, Thomas Dietsch him another thirty seconds. The end appears near for the Alsatian, condemned to second place.
The case seems well underway for the pilot but Look to twenty terminals from the finish, it die. Bye bye victory in the World Cup. Thomas Dietsch who had said goodbye to a global tire in 2004 following a puncture two kilometres from the finish this time is the big beneficiary of history. It changes a little!
The winner leaving the World Cup remains is to keep a substantial advance by 21 seconds on the Austrian Alban Lakata, reputedly excellent roller: "I had one trouille, it returns" confides Dietsch. In October, Lakata had done a number on the last kilometer straight Roc d'Azur. Dietsch has not forgotten.;
Platt and Stefan Sahm arrived just behind while Paez, who voltigeait in the long climb from the dam just take the last spot on the podium. "He caught cramps at the top of the pass. He was about to join the group for the third place," says Massimo Ghirotto, manager pleased with the squadra Bianchi. "I'm relieved, I was afraid that Lakata return. Winner here, my goal is reached, I keep the place of world number one. I'll be able to take vacations." At 34, Thomas Dietsch is more than ever Major global taulier marathon.
Among the ladies, big surprise before departure. Annabella Stropparo appears on the start list. Obviously, a judicial inquiry opened this winter against him (the drug squad searched a home of drugs) does not seem to interfere too champion Italy. And it is time that the UCI react to prevent riders within the ambit of justice can still line up at the start of an ordeal. But no information was rising from the doping commission, comissaires had no other choice but to let her take the start.
Despite this, Pia Sundstedt which rose this winter Bianchi Rocky Mountain has also confirmed his status. The Finnish pretty beat the Italian sulphurous and takes an option on General of the World Cup. Special mention for the former descendeuse, Marielle Saner, the sixth for his second race of the season.
In the meantime, the ultimate and final round of the World Cup will be in October, 4 and 5, ORNANS. Standings under full results of Universal Bikeracing site.
