First Edition Cycling News for December 21, 2003Edited by Chris Henry Ullrich and co. in MallorcaJan Ullrich has completed an early training camp with his T-Mobile teammates on the Spanish island of Mallorca. The former Tour de France winner continues to declare himself more motivated than ever to reclaim the Tour title, and also admits that he is eager to put old off-season habits behind him. However along with more attention to his off-season fitness, Ullrich also expects more personal freedom when back in the fold of his former Telekom team. Still collaborating with his mentor Rudy Pevenage, who will not figure among T-Mobile staff next year, Ullrich indicated that he wants a certain independence in 2004, referring to what he called Telekom's "babysitter system". "I can't be limited, I want to have some liberty," Ullrich commented in Der Spiegel. "It won't be just like the old days." Ullrich recently completed a short training session with teammate and close friend Tobias Steinhauser on Mallorca, with Pevenage in attendance to monitor the progress. Following the camp he returned to his home in Scherzingen, Switzerland. Ullrich added that he hopes to start his 2004 season at the Tour of Mallorca in February. T-Mobile will also present its 2004 line up on Mallorca in January. Cipollini motivatedMario Cipollini's determination to compete in the 2004 Olympics in Athens has not gone unnoticed. Ernesto Preatoni, owner of Cipollini's main sponsor Domina Vacanze, commented in the Italian press that he is convinced of his star's chances for selection to the Italian team for the individual pursuit in Athens. Cipollini plans to leave next year's Giro d'Italia at the halfway point in order to prepare specifically for his new goal on the track. "I didn't know if he was joking or serious, but now I see him extremely motivated," Preatoni said of the veteran sprinter. "Cipollini will make it to the Olympics." Moreau to Tirreno-Adriatico
Top French rider Christophe Moreau (Crédit Agricole) has indicated that his early season plans will include the usual French season openers such as the Etoile de Bessèges, Tour du Haut Var, and mid-spring Critérium International, but Paris-Nice will not figure his 2004 program. Instead, Moreau is expected to lead a Crédit Agricole contingent at Italy's Tirreno-Adriatico stage race in a build up to the Ardennes classics April. Moreau will also likely tackle the Dauphiné Libéré. Reidell/Bouchard-Hall awarded scholarshipsThe USA Cycling Development Foundation has awarded the 2003 Stenner Collegiate Cycling Scholarships to Kate Reidell of Boston College and Kevin Bouchard-Hall of the University of Vermont. Each student will receive $1,500 thanks to the generous donations to the Stenner Fund. Kate Reidell is a senior at Boston College, with a double major in Elementary Education and American Heritage. In addition to her scholastic achievements, she serves as the Mountain Bike Captain and Vice-President of the Boston College Cycling Team, volunteers with elementary school children, and recently scored three top-10 finishes including two podiums at the 2003 National Collegiate Cycling Association (NCCA) Mountain Bike National Championships, earning a fifth place finish in the Division II Women's Omnium. Kevin Bouchard-Hall is a senior at the University of Vermont majoring in Nutrition and Food Sciences with a minor in pre-medicine. Bouchard-Hall has served as the Treasurer for the University of Vermont's cycling club and played an instrumental role organizing team race weekends and other activities. He recently volunteered to organize the upcoming mountain bike schedule of the NCCA East Coast Cycling Conference. Not only has Bouchard-Hall made the Dean's list five times at UV, he has also has a stellar race resume, participating on the USPS U-23 National Team with the goal of racing professionally. "Once I graduate I plan to take a full year off to pursue cycling full-bore with a goal of becoming a professional. When I stop racing I plan on attending medical school." Applicants were judged based on academic performance, racing accomplishments and community leadership. Athletes must also be full-time students, a member of an NCCA club and hold a current racing license to be considered for the award. For more information on the USA Cycling Development Foundation and its supported programs visit www.usacdf.org. Zabel and Aldag back on trackThe Telekom duo of Erik Zabel and Rolf Aldag will once more be taking to the track this winter. The pair will form part of a five man team from Germany in the upcoming Omnium der Asse in Dortmund on December 26. The competition is part of the Weihnachtspreises series of races. "The race is somewhat special for me and Rolf," Zabel said on Telekom's website. He and Aldag will race alongside fellow German track stars Guido Fulst, René Wolff, and Lars Teutenberg. Toronto area indoor velodrome proposedA non-profit, volunteer organisation is set to kick off a major fund-raising effort to secure resources for the construction of an indoor multisports facility, which notably will house a 250m velodrome. Dubbed Motion Park, the 2,400 seat facility is planned for Hershey, Centre, Mississauga in Canada. In addition to the velodrome, which would feature 40 degree banked turns and 12 degree straights, the Motion Park facility could include a four-lane, 200 metre running track and a six-lane, 60 metre straight line dash track in the infield. Donations for the project should be sent to Motion Park,1249 Woodhill Court, Mississauga, Ontario Canada. Cheques should also be made out to Motion Park Inc. For further information on the proposal, contact pakamac@sympatico.ca or visit the website www.motionpark.ca. New sponsor for Kona ClarksThe Kona Clarks Factory Team today announced its 2004 World Team roster. The team will feature many familiar faces, and will also welcome a new cosponsor, Les Gets, a French ski resort located between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc. World Cup leader Tracy Moseley, and Fabien Barel, bronze medallist in the World's downhill, have confirmed with the Kona Clarks Les Gets Team for the next two years. Also returning are current Canadian National Cyclo-Cross Champions, Peter Wedge and Kris Sneddon. Returning to join Pete and Kris on the cross-country team will be last year's teammate, American and current top-ranked collegiate cyclo-cross rider Barry Wicks, as well as fellow American Ryan Trebon. Les Gets ski station will become a Kona Ride Centre next season and will have a full range of Kona Bikes for hire. New courses are planned and the team will also be using the resort as its official training ground. Vouilloz finds new successAccomplished French mountain bike downhill rider Nicolas Vouilloz, 27, signed a two year rally car racing contract as Peugeot Official Pilot after winning the Volant 206 2003 and completing a very encouraging 206 Super 1600 test drive at the Rallye du Var. The ten time downhill world champion decided to move on from cycling to pursue his other passion for driving. Vouilloz will be behind the wheel for six events in 2004, starting in Monte Carlo, and eight events in 2005. Vouilloz continues to be involved in the sport of mountain biking by collaborating with bike sponsor Lapierre on the design and testing of the French firm's downhill bikes. Cyclo-cross World's photo benefitIn an effort to help raise funds for US Cyclo-Crossers headed to the World Championships, roadbikephotos.com will donate $1 for every 5x7 and $2 for every 8x10 print sold from the recent US Cyclo-Cross Nationals in Portland, Oregon or last year's 'cross nationals in Napa, California. Professional cycling photographer Rob Karman captured over 3,000 images of the mud splattered racing action last weekend in an effort to get a photo of every competitor so that they could remember their efforts and the epic conditions they faced. Now they can get a copy of their photo and help support a great cause at the same time. Orders placed by December 31, 2003 will have their contributions added to this year's World's effort for Pont-Château, France, while orders placed after the new year will count toward sending next year's team. The ACF (American Cyclo-Cross Foundation) helps raise financial support for riders headed to the Cyclo-Cross World Championships who would otherwise need to pay those expenses out of their own pocket. For more information about the ACF, please visit their website at http://bikegeek.org. 2003 Flower Power AwardsMtbchick.com announced the winners of the 2003 Mtbchick.com Flower Power Awards, the first ever series of year-end awards recognizing outstanding female mountain bikers. The awards showcase talent and hard work put forth by pro and amateur women with recognition for the advancement of women's mountain biking. Seventeen award categories include team and individual awards at both professional and amateur levels. Nominations were open to the public, and decisions for the awards were made by the team and management. Interviews with the winners, and their pictures will be posted on the mtbchick.com web site. Best American Female Mountain Biker: Mary McConnelloug, Seven Cycles
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