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Gossip dello Giorno

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Smack Talk Edition

The Gossip returns today for another round of espresso-fueled rumor-mongering, speculating and gesticulating (We are in Italy, after all).

Yesterday, during a post-race interview, de Stefano asked Veronica Bettini (that would be his daughter, not his wife) whether she liked to go bike riding. Domenica shook her head no, and hid her face in Papa Bettini's shoulder. Mmm, stinky world champion kit, smells yummy.

In the previous issue of the Gossip, we predicted the divorce of Petacchi from Milram. Omniscient, prescient, or dumbly lucky? We leave that, lovely readers, to your infallible judgement. Now, the next chapter in the Petacchi Drama is unfolding, as rumors swirl about his future team. Lampre appears the most likely destination, though LPR currently runs a close second. A possible reduction of Ale's sanction so that he might ride the Vuelta is also whispered. The Gossip does not venture to guess as to the outcome these machinations. We would not wish to push our luck.

Ricco, meanwhile, continues to make friends by refusing to appear on the post-race show. Why? The Gossip would dearly like to know the reasons behind the Big Dis. Could it all be ego?

Though Ricco may think rather highly of himself, Danilo Diluca claims The Ego will be lucky to lose less than four minutes to Klödie in tomorrow's time trial. Dani D calls Klödie the clear fave, though the finishing climb up to Urbino suits the Killer himself quite nicely thanks. Dani thinks he can hold the gap to 90 seconds to Klödie. Ricco's response to Dani's smack talk? Scoreboard, Dani Baby, Scoreboard.

Ricco is also calling the bluff of Contador. No way was the Accountant on vacation, says Ricco. Indeed, the Ego is convinced that Contador knew since the Pais Vasco that he would ride the Giro, and has trained extra hard for his Italian adventure. What? What's that? The ticker is clacking and spitting here at the World Center of Cycling Gossip (where we're far too old skool to have an RSS feed.) What's it say? That Davide Cassani might have seen Contador training in the Dolomiti? That he might not actually have been in Mexico? Stop me if you think you've heard this one before.

From the department of awkward moments comes this tidbit. During the rest day press conference of Saunier Duval, an enterprising journo asked Piepoli why he was still racing while Petacchi was suspended. Now, in the normal way of things, the Gossip does not deal in doping matters. But certainly we can appreciate the Drama of such a moment. Indeed, we're all about the DRAMA. Peeps? Well, his situation is totally different from that of Petacchi. No word as to whether the journo actually believed him. Signor, signor, a follow-up...

On the subject of enterprising journos, Capodacqua, whom Dani D banished from the Presence, needled Ricco recently about his high hematocrit certificate. Now, here at the Gossip, we do think The Ego's ego could use a little pricking. If it grows much larger, the little dude might have trouble climbing, which could cause problems come the Dolomiti. Ricco was suspended as an amateur for busting the 'crit limits repeatedly. Now, all is legal, according to the UCI. Capo? He likes to stir the pot. There's one in every crowd. Ricco has yet to banish Capo from his presence, but surely it is only a matter of time.

In sponsor news, it appears that Gerolsteiner has found a new sponsor. Who? Even the Gossip does not know that, despite several forays into German press and forumländer. But never fear, when at last the rumor surfaces, you will be the first to know, though we may be the last. Sadly, we are not always so omniscient here at the Gossip.

Though not strictly gossip, let us turn our attention briefly to the weather. Italia, it appears, is looking not so bella in the Dolomiti. The webcam on the Plan de Corones shows copious amounts of this odd white stuff. Weather forecasts call definitely for cold, possibly for rain, and probably for clouds. Though we feel sympa for the fate of the riders in such weather, we can't quite suppress a shiver of anticipation for the epicness sure to ensue.

And lastly, what would an episode of the Gossip be without a little eye candy? This one is for the boys. Here at the Gossip, we feel certain you will not need any translation to enjoy this clip. (safe for work and kidz)

That's all for today from the Gossip's world headquarters.

à presto!

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2 recs | Comment 26 comments

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Comments

Display:

Brava, Gavia

Well done!

Let me add one small matter of speculation – does Chris fancy himself the Hiphopopotamus or the Rhymenoceros?

by Sui Juris on May 19, 2008 8:08 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You

rock. This is gold, pure freaking gold. Keep em coming (at reasonable intervals, natch. The cake has to bake…)

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris... on May 19, 2008 10:39 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wrong thread

and anyway, this is as good as it gets.

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris... on May 19, 2008 10:38 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

God help me but...

... you people are a strange and eerie reflection of me.

============= Daniel

by crashdan on May 19, 2008 10:51 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Did Steve tell you to say that?

Steve…...........

"Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated."

by Drew... on May 19, 2008 10:24 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

There ain't not party...

... like my nana’s tea party…

Hey…

Ho…

============= Daniel

by crashdan on May 19, 2008 10:52 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That's what my wife wanted me to write,

but I held out for Steve.

"Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated."

by Drew... on May 20, 2008 6:50 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I like

the new nickname for Ricco.
The Ego

by roadside on May 19, 2008 8:38 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol, yeah

works for me :-)

perhaps i should have added a poll on this very important matter…

by gavia on May 19, 2008 9:05 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Way to rock the umlauts Gavia...

Although the more you speak of yourself in the independent third person… the farther you will move from sanity.

============= Daniel

by crashdan on May 19, 2008 9:02 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sanity?

What is this sanity you speak of?

by gavia on May 19, 2008 9:04 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I've heard it spoken well of...

... and occasionally have a passing acquaintance with it that is usually pummeled into submission by actions such as watching and celebrating de Ronde this year.

============= Daniel

by crashdan on May 19, 2008 9:07 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The Ego

seems to work. Here is Pez Cycling’s comment about Ricco’s second stage win:

All we have to wait for are his latest statements of his greatness and criticisms of others!
Riccardo Ricco will be even worse after today; he made some comments yesterday that annoyed Alberto Contador, so let us see who he will annoy today? The fact that RAI now refer to him as "Super Ricco" will make his already swollen head even bigger

Thanks for the gossip update!

by Katiek on May 19, 2008 9:13 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

thanks, exactly what I need

having just returned from a week’s vacation (yes, bad timing I realize ;-) ) and only really spending enough time on the internet to check stage winners, I’m trying to read through race reports and articles (and wondering whether I’ll actually get around to watching all the coverage from RAI International that I recorded on the PVR) ... but in the end, it’s the stuff like this that gives the real “flavour” of the race that one doesn’t get from reading a bunch of articles and reports. (and various other posts here at Podium Cafe have been very helpful as well for that “flavour” of the race again).

by guidemd on May 19, 2008 10:15 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not Gossip

But I am now a fan of these with the ipod.
Chris Horner on Two Johns Podcast. Part one of two.

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on May 19, 2008 11:23 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Did Contador or did he not

offer to show Ricco his full-body tan as proof of beach?

by NE Observer on May 19, 2008 11:33 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well... probably only the back...

... and then only the part between the lower back and the upper thigh, and I believe it was accompanied with the phrase “why don’t you try a little of these tapas”

============= Daniel

by crashdan on May 20, 2008 12:04 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ah

so that’s why there is such an odd photo of Ricco in today’s Gazzetta. Bib and farmer’s tan, plus girlfriend. No specs.

by Monty. on May 20, 2008 6:49 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Maybe not exactly Giro gossip

but the Daily Peloton Forums were hacked into and 35,000 email messages sent from the site, which has been shut down until they can sort it all out.

by NE Observer on May 19, 2008 11:39 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ew

$100 says it was McQuaid.

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris... on May 20, 2008 12:06 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ah Thanks for that

I tried to log in and it said my account had been suspended.
That explains it

by roadside on May 20, 2008 9:35 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And an odd point

which appeared in Sunday’s aftershow. Proving that the UCI are not the only bloody minded ones when it comes to enforcing rules, Apparently the entire junior Paolo Bettini Cycling Club were banned from a recent race because they had dual-control brakes. For their little hands, explained Bettini. I’m still not sure what they mean by dual-control; does it mean having brake levers on top as well as in the drops? And when were things like that banned?

by Monty. on May 20, 2008 6:53 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

dual control

Yeah, brake levers for the tops. You see them in cross sometimes too.

Bizarro rule, really.

by gavia on May 20, 2008 12:38 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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