Velochimp: Astrochimp on Cycling

Cristian Moreni is one of the first Ferretti orphans to get picked up on a new team. The former Italian National Champ will ride for Cofidis with a one year contract. Stuart O’Grady has entertained going back to the French team, but team manager Eric Boyer said that he burned his bridges when he left, so there is no place for the Aussie. Gilberto Simoni has a likely contract with Naturino Sapore da Mare, but that will mean that he will miss out on the major Pro Tour races. Naturino was not even a pick for the Giro this year. Sioni’s signing will help Naturino’s chances of getting a Giro wildcard, but they still have to contend with Panaria and Selle Italia who have performed admirably well in the Giro. Brett Lancaster got the first Maglia Rosa for Panaria and Jose Rujano and Ivan Parra won stages for Selle Italia. It is very frustrating to see that a mediocre French team AG2R will most likely get the nod for the 20th spot on the ProTour when there are so many more deserving teams. AG2R only added Christophe Moreau and Fancisco Mancebo to their lineup. They focus on the Tour and Vuelta, while the rest of the team will likely be pack filler for the rest of the ProTour. At least AG2R can take advantage of the opportunity and sign riders such as O’Grady, Matt White and Salvatore Commesso to help their standing a bit more.
Cofidis: Cristian Moreni firma per un anno