gmason

OK, I have a confession to make. I am getting to like him.

I could not stand the posing, primping, selfish clown he seemed to be replacing, talented though he was. In fact, to me that combination of attributes is about the worst going. Just look at the NBA if you don't believe me. True (I hope), some of that is just to sell tickets or get sponsors, but please ...

Early on, Petacchi seemed to be following in those exact footsteps. Recently he seems to have changed. A lot. The latest thing to gain my support is that he actually stayed in the Giro after the first hill. He even rode in unpleasant weather! And the payoff was one more stage win.

If Fassa does go away - and I certainy hope not - I wonder where he will go. And if he can take his train with him. That could be an unfortunate draw for some other team, meaning that a few people will have to find new jobs.

In any case, good on ya' Alessandro!

gcasillo

The sponsor may fold, but I have to believe that team will stick for a while. I just hope the Italians get it together and give Petacchi a chance to win the Worlds some year. It's in Madrid this year (tough to beat Oscar and his team there), but I think I've read where this course will give sprinter specialists a chance to win.

Jaco

Sure I'm biased, but Petacchi only makes me miss Mario.

good dog

I've never had it. It's good?

gmason

As do I. But all the chatter I have seen indicates that Petacchi will be snapped up by some other team. Which seems to indicate that the chatterers - you know who you are - have reason to think that the team will disband.

Of course, that raises the whole issue of the Pro Tour slot they occupy. It should be interesting. And, the team management has indicated several times that a press release would be forthcoming after May 31.


I am obviously not biased. But nothing would make me miss Mario. The worst I ever felt while watching cycle racing was when I realized that he was about to win the World's a couple of years ago.

gmason

???

ed073

Me too. Mario was the greatest.

All others are but pretenders.

531Aussie

Can someone please tell me exactly why Petacchi can't ride 1 week of the Tour?

ed073

It's in the wrong country.

gmason

He is concentrating on the Worlds, which are being held on a course favorable to him.

... in the wrong country ... ???

ed073

It was a joke...about how he prefers Italy to France for winning bags of races.

get it?

gmason

Honest, I get the funny ones.