March 23m 2005 – The Settimana Internazionale di Coppi e Bartali, honoring two of the greatest names in Italian cycling began today in the Adriatic coastal town of Riccione. The 2005 edition of the race boasts the strongest field to date with many of the Italian and Belgian Pro Tour teams using this event as part of their preparation ramp towards the Giro. The five-day race traditionally begins with a double-stage opening day, and this year is no exception.

Stage 1a: was a 95km circuit race, featuring a Belgian “Kermesse” style course of 12km with a stiff climb in the middle, and a fast finish along the beach. LPR’s Dmitri Konyshev proved that the old dog still has bite, and launched an opening lap solo attack that would gain over 4minutes by the midpoint of the race. At that point, The Lampre-Caffita team of defending champ Giuliano Figueras went to the front and began the ‘take back’ process. With 2004 Giro champ Damiano Cunego also in the line up, the team clearly showed their intentions of taking control of the race from day one. The chase was steady, and well timed, and Konyshev remained persistent, not being caught until late in the penultimate lap, setting up the traditional field sprint. Fassa Bortolo took control about 5km from the finish, with their infamous lead-out machine setting up Francesco Chicchi, but they were not without challenge. As the field raced along the scenic beachfront resort for the final 3km, various trains battled for control, with Panaria being a conspicuous presence. The field was packed curb to curb on the narrow finishing straight as they rushed past the 250m banner when an erratic move, and a touch of wheels sent bodies and bikes flying in every direction with a high speed pile up the inevitable result. Irish National Champ David O’Loughlin had Navigators sprinters Kirk O’Bee and Siro Camponogara in tow and the three were caught in the action, hitting the deck. The crash stuffed the road with only a dozen riders squeaking through, and Panaria’s Bongiorno winning in front of Chicchi and LPR’s Napolitano. Lampre’s Figueras was the day’s big casualty being sent to the hospital, and out of the race. When the road was cleared, 150 riders were able to cross the line and receive the same time as the winner.

1. Bongiorno
2. Chicchi
3. Napolitano

Stage 2a: was a 12km TTT in neighboring Misano. The technical course featured a rare glimpse of one of cycling’s most difficult, and esthetic events. This was a day the Navigators lads had been looking forward to, and were aiming for a solid result against some true powerhouse UCI Pro Tour teams who are always strong in this event. Seventh out of the start house, the Navigators Insurance squad rolled a moderate tempo over the first 2km as they found their rhythm, and then started to open the throttle. As the team turned onto the beachfront road leading to the finish, they were cruising at over 60km/hr, and hit the finish line with the fastest time at that point, ahead of the Panaria squad featuring World team pursuit record holders Graeme Browne and Brett Lancaster. When the Quickstep team of World TT champion Michael Rogers and Olympic Champ Paolo Bettini came in one second slower, the Navigators lads knew they had clocked a good time. Stefano Garzelli’s Liguigas juggernaut was the first to best the US team’s time, but it was the last team to start, the powerful Fassa Bortolo squad that posted the day’s fastest time of 13’44”, pushing the Navigators into third.

1. Fassa Bortolo…..13’44”
2. Liquigas Bianchi…@ 6″
3. Navigators Insurance.@17“