03/10/2005 - Interview: Danilo I - Speaks as the "King" of the First Pro
Tour and Thinks of the Future
Liquigas-Bianchi leader's statements: «I will race both the Paris-Tours
and the Giro di Lombardia». 2006 purposes and expectations. Some
suggestions for the next Pro Tour
Taking fourth yesterday in Zurich, Danilo Di Luca is the virtual winner
of the Pro Tour's first edition by now: «It has been a terrible race,
the toughest one of my life. The weather conditions were frightful but
it had been worth it: at last the Pro Tour is mine!».
Do you have a special dedication?
«I dedicate this win to the people that stayed at my side last year, in
the most difficult period of my life. Above all my wife Valentina».
What has been determining for this success?
«The regularity during the season has had a great importance: I've won
the Vuelta al Pais Vasco, the Amstel Gold Race and the Flèche Wallonne;
I've raced as a protagonist the Giro d'Italia taking fourth and today,
in October, I'm still with the best riders. Behind me in the Pro Tour
ranking there are great champions that, on the contrary, preferred to
aim at specific goals limited to a particular period. Or athletes, like
Boonen, very regular but not present in the great tours' overall
rankings».
Which picture would you like to frame?
«An enormous poster of the whole Giro d'Italia».
You had been the best rider in the first Pro Tour. What is your answer
to the people that would modify the rules of this challenge? Do you have
any change to suggest?
«The structure is all right. I would only increase points to stage
winners: 3 points for a stage win in a great tour or only one for the
win at the Vuelta al Pais Vasco is really few...»
Talking about score, you don't need points at stake in the Paris-Tours
and Giro di Lombardia by now: do you miss one of these races?
«No, I won't. I can't do without the "Lombardia": I've already won this
charming race in 2001. Moreover the Pro Tour's victory is an advantage
for me: I can race the "Classic of the dead leaves" concentrating on the
day's victory. Of course the Paris-Tours doesn't suit me as the
Lombardia does but I believe the Pro Tour leader can't do without racing
such a prestigious race in front of such a passionate public like the
French one».
Who will be the next Pro Tour winner?
«It's difficult to say: surely the winner will be a regular rider in the
whole season. One day races' protagonists are favoured».
And what about Di Luca?
«I've fought with all my strength for conquering this edition of the Pro
Tour, the first one. Now I have other purposes: however if I have at
hand on my way also the second white jersey, I will try not to let the
opportunity slip, of course. But it isn't one of my main goals: in 2006
I will aim at the Giro d'Italia and World Championships».
So you have new goals. Also your training will change?
«Not at all: I will do the same as this year, starting from the long
high ground training in the month of January. I only won't force in
April's races».