Apr 18, 2006
Basso Looks to Extend CSC Domination
The Spring Classics this year have been a tale of two teams so far with Quick Step and CSC each getting back-to-back victories. Quick-Step started proceedings with victories in Milan San Remo and the Tour of Flanders. By Flanders, Quick Step worked over the competition to submission as they controlled most of the race much like a Tour de France sprint stage. Since then, Boonen has gone home to Manco to relax, but Bettini is still hopping like his nickname of “The Cricket”. “Il Grillo” however, will have to face a strong CSC team which is on a roll since Fabian Cancellara’s Paris Roubaix victory followed by Frank Schleck’s Amstel gold win.
To make things more difficult, CSC will welcome Ivan Basso onto the roster. The Giro favorite is scouting out some of the early Belgian Giro stages and will test his form in Fleche Wallone and Liege Bastogne Liege. With the Giro only a few weeks away, Basso has already shown good form in the Criterium International and other races.
“They are two key steps in my build-up for the Giro in May.” Basso told Reuters. “I’ve always done well in these two races and if I’m up there I’ll have a go myself.
“But we have plenty of strong guys in my team and I would be proud to help any of them to win, too.”
Plenty of strong guys are on the team with Carlos Satre and Jens Voight joining the squad for the Ardennes. Many of the CSC men have featured well in recent races meaning that the domination could continue well into this weekend.
Yahoo News: Italy’s Basso bullish about Belgium cycling classics