Berzins back?
Not quite sure how to feel about this. On one hand, he was refused a start on the Giro because of elevated haematocrit and was also winning at a time when all around him were necking down EPO. On the other hand, he is one of the old-school hard racers - like Tchmil or Hinault. IIRC, one of the monthlies referred to him as "bestial". Too many of the current peleton seem a little,well, "delicate".
Berzin returns to peloton
Evgeni Berzin may be returning to the professional peloton to race for the first time since 2000. The 37 year-old Russian, winner of the 1994 Giro d'Italia and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, has re-found his racing form, and he has attracted the attention of Professional Continental Team Tinkoff Credit Systems.
Compatriot and Tinkoff Team Owner, Oleg Tinkov, would like to have Berzin in his 2008 squad as a mentor to the younger riders. Berzin will travel to Forte dei Marmi (Tuscany) this Sunday or Monday for a training camp with the team.
"We have known each other for a few years," he said of his relationship with Tinkov during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. "He was a racer and he loves this sport. He would like that I become a maestro to his younger riders. I would like to be utilized for preparation and organization of life outside of cycling. A rider has to think right away about constructing his future, because as soon as he stops riding there will be no one, even if on the bike he was a champion. Many do not know this. The real world is different than that of cycling.
"I will study the team," he continued of the upcoming training camp. Mikhail "Ignatiev has a good rhythm, but he has to learn how to race. How many races did he throw away this year? [Pavel] Brutt and [Ivan] Rovny are good, but... I think they started too early. It would have been better to wait to race the Giro d'Italia at age 22."
The attraction back to the sport which he left at 30 years-old is based on passion and not greed; Berzin owns three Fiat car dealerships near Milano. "At first it was a big effort. All of my friends dropped me," he continued. Berzin was reportedly up to 81 kilograms before dropping down to his current weight of 67 kilograms.
"This year I rode 20,000 kilometres, and now it is the others that are being dropped."
Berzin returns to peloton
Evgeni Berzin may be returning to the professional peloton to race for the first time since 2000. The 37 year-old Russian, winner of the 1994 Giro d'Italia and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, has re-found his racing form, and he has attracted the attention of Professional Continental Team Tinkoff Credit Systems.
Compatriot and Tinkoff Team Owner, Oleg Tinkov, would like to have Berzin in his 2008 squad as a mentor to the younger riders. Berzin will travel to Forte dei Marmi (Tuscany) this Sunday or Monday for a training camp with the team.
"We have known each other for a few years," he said of his relationship with Tinkov during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. "He was a racer and he loves this sport. He would like that I become a maestro to his younger riders. I would like to be utilized for preparation and organization of life outside of cycling. A rider has to think right away about constructing his future, because as soon as he stops riding there will be no one, even if on the bike he was a champion. Many do not know this. The real world is different than that of cycling.
"I will study the team," he continued of the upcoming training camp. Mikhail "Ignatiev has a good rhythm, but he has to learn how to race. How many races did he throw away this year? [Pavel] Brutt and [Ivan] Rovny are good, but... I think they started too early. It would have been better to wait to race the Giro d'Italia at age 22."
The attraction back to the sport which he left at 30 years-old is based on passion and not greed; Berzin owns three Fiat car dealerships near Milano. "At first it was a big effort. All of my friends dropped me," he continued. Berzin was reportedly up to 81 kilograms before dropping down to his current weight of 67 kilograms.
"This year I rode 20,000 kilometres, and now it is the others that are being dropped."
'This week I 'ave been mostly been climbing like Basso - Shirley Basso.'
0
Posts
Yet another needle fiend to be added to the ranks of this megolamaniac's team.
Perhaps "The Chicken" and Alberto will eventually find a home-from-home with this pill poppin', peleton droppin', SUPERTEAM!
The sport has moved on and doesn't need the likes of Berzin, he belongs to a generation of riders when you could not distinguish between a hard rider and one willing to risk his health more. Just look at Tchmil, Museeuw, Jaskula, Outschakov, all these guys inflated myths of being sons of the soil who toil when the reality was less impressive.
Okay so Hamilton and Jaksche signed for a bit of publicity and then canned and Hondo (I still don't get his conviction) was not very clever, but give Tinkoff a bit of a break. They're full of lively, talented young riders and really light up any race they enter.
So far they have had no positives which is better than your whiter than white Cofidis and T-Mobile. And don't be so hard on Mr Tinkoff. I'd do exactly the same with his kind of money. I have to say I'm a bit of a fan.
Those bikes are like jewellery!!!!!
I remember asking Dave Yates (at York Rally) if he built in Titanium,& his denial saved me shelling out thousands on a Mega bike (& possibly a Divorce as well! :oops: )
Lovely, lovely frames. I have one and it's a beauty.
Exactly what I what I was going to say. The team has fantastic youngsters like Brutt, Rovny, and particularly Ignatiev, so why surround them with such dubious characters? They've done fine all season without the help of Hamilton and Jaksche.
:P I know it sounds peverted...but please post a pickie of it for us all to admire :P
Always dreamed of getting one, what is the ride like? stiff?
Cheers Mr Bumble
The ride is superb, very comfortable but stiff when you put the power down. I have, in moments of lyrical romanticism, likened it to a magic carpet. :oops:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/1277997609/
As requested. It's just gone into winter mode (I use it as my geared bike in the winter and for Gran Fondos etc in the summer) so has less bling kit on it.[/url]
Poser :P
Lovely bike - Understanded and I don't think bling would do it any favours.
Mind you that Casati is quite nice too. Fancy a trade? I've got my old Giant OCR commuting bike to offer - I'll even replace the bar tape to seal the deal.
Nice winter hack
I love that understated, classic look....
forget the litespeed, I will have to save a bit longer but a De Rosa Titanio it will be!!!!!
It's academic now - Tinkoff announced today that they wouldn't be signing him after all.