The fifth edition of the Brixia Tour "G.P. San Michele Prefabbricati" (July 22-24) was launched yesterday. The short but sharp Italian race, ranked 2.1 in the UCI Europe Tour, is expected to contain a wealth of talent as riders who are not taking part in the Tour de France return to racing after a July break.
Notably, the Brixia Tour should see the return to racing of Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Caffita), provided the 2004 Giro winner has recovered from his current problem with mononucleosis. Cunego's team-mate Gilberto Simoni will also ride, setting up a 'return match' with Giro revelation Venezuelan José Rujano (Colombia - Selle Italia).
Other top riders scheduled to compete in the Brixia Tour include Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo), Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner), Mirko Celestino (Domina Vacanze), Ivan Parra (Colombia - Selle Italia), Giuliano Figueras (Lampre - Caffita) and Igor Astarloa (Barloworld). The Brixia Tour will be the first race in his national tricolour for new Italian champion Enrico Gasparotto (liquigas-Bianchi) and Francesco Casagrande (Naturino - Sapore di Mare) is also rostered to ride, according to the organisers, despite having announced his retirement last month.
With four stages over three days, the Brixia Tour balances the abilities of all-rounders and sprinters. Cadel Evans won the race's first edition back in 2001, while last year Danilo Di Luca took the honours, implying that climbing talent is useful, but the second edition in 2002 went to Igor Astarloa, not known as a mountain specialist.
The climbers will nevertheless like this year's edition with its second half-stage time trial hill climb from Pisogne to Val Palot. It's only 12.8km, but the time difference gained here could be enough to clinch the race for an uphill specialist.
Giuseppe Bresciani, president of organizing body Team Brixia is understandably upbeat about this year's race and the event's future. "This year could put the final seal on the Brixia Tour," he said, "Because of the quality of participants and routes we are approaching a standard worthy of the Pro Tour. This is already a great event but it isn't enough yet: our race can still improve."
Teams
Seventeen teams will take part in the Brixia Tour. Of ProTour squads Domina Vacanze, Fassa Bortolo, Lampre - Caffita, Liquigas - Bianchi and Gerolsteiner are confirmed and organisers expect to see Quick Step - Innergetic too. Continental Pro and Continental teams scheduled to race include Selle Italia - Colombia, Team LPR, Naturino - Sapore di Mare, Acqua&Sapone - Adria Mobil, Ceramica Panaria - Navigare, Team Barloworld - Valsir, Tenax - Nobili Rubinetterie, Miche, Ceramica Flaminia, Team Androni Giocattoli - 3C Casalinghi and Team Universal Caffè - Styloffice.
Stages
- Stage 1 - July 22: San Vigilio di Concesio - Toscolano Maderno, 170.6 km
- Stage 2a - July 23: Esine - Darfo Boario Terme, 112.7 km
- Stage 2b - July 23: Pisogne - Val Palot ITT, 12.8 km
- Stage 3 - July 24: Brescia - Manerbio, 180 km
