This site isn't a soapbox, but when it comes to race coverage, we can safely declare that Pez kicks ass. This K-B-K is typically short on redundant race coverage and long on the fans' eye view.
Other tidbits from an interesting news day:
- The case of Jose Rujano v. Panaria is heating up. Apparently Selle Italia's purpose for keeping him under contract until June 1 (when he gets promoted to Quick-Step) was to gain entry into the Giro, which they secured today. But by all accounts Rujano has since left the reservation with no intention of ever returning. As CN reported last week:
Besides a misunderstanding over contractual rights regarding use of Rujano's image and endorsements, it seems that there is a major issue regarding the Venezuelan's contract. It was reported that Rujano would have a six month contract with Selle Italia in '06 until May 31, then pass over to Quick.Step. However, when Savio's Selle Italia-Diquigiovanni squad put in the paperwork for their Continental Pro license, but the UCI's auditors Ernst & Young didn't accept this. So Rujano, who already had a 2006 contract option with Selle Italia had to sign for the full year. The deal was that Selle Italia-Diquigiovanni would release Rujano to Quick.Step but now that scenario is not at all certain.
- All's well with T-Mobile, if you believe their press reports. VN has a puff piece on Ullrich's conditioning, and CN mentions that Klodi is back on the job with his hand bones back in place after last year's fall in the Tour.
- Speaking of getting back to work, there will be an Iban Mayo sighting starting tomorrow at the Vuelta a Murcia. Too bad the competition includes Manuel Beltran, Alejandro Valverde, Damiano Cunego, Alexandre Vinokourov, Denis Menchov and Michael Rasmussen. CN isn't clear what their coverage plans are.
- Hear from Saul Raisin here in a sitdown with CN.