First Edition News for July 25, 2003

Edited by Jeff Jones

Servais Knaven: Today I'll ride to win

By Gabriella Ekström in Bordeaux

Knaven on the attack
Photo: © AFP

Before Stage 17 this morning in Dax, Servais Knaven told Cyclingnews that he'd ride to win today. After just one kilometre, a break went and Servais Knaven showed that he was true to his word by sitting in it. "The other teams chased us very hard at first, and we remained at twenty or thirty seconds for a long time," Servais said after the stage. "We worked hard to make the break grow to a minute, and after that it kept growing. I thought la Francaise des Jeux would chase, but they had Christophe Mengin in the break as well, and there are not so many pure sprinter teams in the Tour that could chase either."

Already before the Tour, Patrick Lefevre told Servais Knaven that the stage to Bordeaux was made for him, and Lefevre told Cyclingnews after the stage that he and Servais had reached an agreement this morning. "Servais asked me 'If I win today, can I stay at home in the future?' I told him; Sure you can! However, I know that he has been looking for this stage win for several years, and I think that now once he's won it, he'll change his mind."

Click here for the full interview

150th Dutch victory

Servais Knaven's victory in Bordeaux was the 150th victory by a Dutch rider in the Tour de France (excluding team time trials). For the Dutch cycling fans, Bordeaux is a Dutch town. Hansje Dekkers was the first Dutch winner there in the early 1950s, when he beat compatriots Wim van Est and Wout Wagtmans. There followed more victories in Bordeaux in the '50's, with Jan Nolten and Henk Faanhof (1954) and Wout Wagtmans (1955). After that, Jo de Roo (1965), Gerben Karstens (1976), Cees Priem (1980), Bert Oosterbosch (1983), Jan Raas (1984), Jean-Paul van Poppel (1988) and Rob Harmeling (1992) all won in Bordeaux. 10 years later, Servais Knaven is again taking care of the Dutch 'Bordeaux feeling'.

Rubiera still focused with three stages to go

By Tim Maloney, European editor in Bordeaux

Jose Luis Rubiera
Photo: © J.Devich/CN

With the mountain stages over in this year's Tour, Chechu Rubiera (USPS-Berry Floor) isn't relaxing yet. "Not too far now to Paris... it's getting close," he told Cyclingnews this morning. "I'm feeling quite well, my job is still to take care of Lance. My GC place isn't important. We came here to win the Tour de France, and to support him in the mountain stages like we did put us [Rubiera and Beltran] up on GC."

This is Chechu Rubiera's third Tour with USPS and he told us, "the closeness of the race with Jan Ullrich until now is something different. Saturday's time trial will be the most important day of the Tour. The other Tours I've ridden have been easier; our team has worked well at this Tour, but the gap we had on the second place rider was bigger in the past."

Basso Looking at top 10 in Paris

By Tim Maloney, European Editor in Bordeaux

Ivan Basso
Photo: © Sirotti

Ivan Basso (Fassa Bortolo) told us that yesterday's Stage 16, where Tyler Hamilton's solo ride dropped the classy Italian rider one place on GC to seventh "wasn't a great day for me... but you have to consider that Hamilton was close to me already on GC and in the TT, he would have passed me anyway. This has been a hard Tour but for me, I am very happy about how I have performed."

Rumours have been circulating in the TdF press room about a possible move by Basso to US Postal next year, but Basso didn't think that he was likely to move to the American squad even though he has a lot of "feeling" for Armstrong.

Competition Director Pescheux pleased with Centenary Tour

By Tim Maloney, European Editor in Bordeaux

Cyclingnews caught up with Tour de France Competition Director Jean-Francois Pescheux before Stage 17, where he told us that the Centenary Edition of the Tour has been a success so far.

"Well, I would say that most people are saying that the Centenary Tour de France is a great Tour de France. The parcours is well done and there is so much combativity from the riders. So there are a number of factors that have come together to make the race special. As well, Armstrong has less superiority over his competitors then in past years; he has some strong rivals so the race is closer. There's a lot of suspense in this year's edition and we'll all have to await the last time trial to know who will win the Tour. We couldn't ask for more; it's a perfect scenario for the race."

"We've also seen all the decorations and banners throughout France celebrating the Centenary Tour de France," added Mr. Pescheux. "That's something extra besides the riders that has made this Tour extra-special."

Cyclingnews asked Mr. Pescheux about the possibility of the Tour de France coming to Quebec in 2008 as part of the celebration of the 400th Anniversary of the founding of French Canada. "Quebec City is very interested in having us come, but you know, the problem of the Tour de France once again is that we must, above all be very careful about the sporting aspect of the race. Of course, the riders need to rest and recover so we have a combative, hard-fought Tour de France. It's a problem at the beginning of the Tour de France to impose a difficult transfer on the riders. The Tour de France isn't a (football) World Cup or Formula One. We have 21 days of racing and we can't just do anything with the Tour."

Lefevere happy with Quick.Step-Davitamon's Tour

By Tim Maloney, European Editor in Bordeaux

Quick.Step-Davitamon manager Patrick Lefevere told Cyclingnews after Stage 17, "Our goal at the Tour was to win a stage and now we've won two stages and took the Yellow Jersey for one day and we have the mountains jersey with Virenque. Our riders are attacking every day and we might have even won another stage with some more luck."

"Paolo Bettini is always ready to make something good happen," continued Lefevere. "On Stage 16, Paolo was unlucky since he had a mechanical that kept him from getting in the break, but Paolo wants to win in Paris so it should be very beautiful... if the best one day rider can win on the Champs Elysées!

"As for our Australian rider Michael Rogers, he's been fantastic in this Tour. Michael has been riding on a very high level for a few months now. I'm very pleased with him and he's surprised me with his results since May. Here in the Tour, he's had a lot of power and I hope for the future, he's a diamond.

"We'll have a new team next year, sponsored by Bodysol body products which is a division of Davitamon. This will be a GS 2 squad and the goal for us is to bring our young riders along. I have a lot of talent on Quick.Step-Davitamon and so I don't want to lose them all. This squad will give our talented young guys the chance to get a lot of experience in the races just under the major world cup events."

We asked Lefevere how Frank Vandenbroucke was doing and the answer was positive. "Frank just finished a high altitude training camp in Livigno, Italy. He's got a little sore throat but will likely start racing next Monday in Belgium. His goal is the Tour of Spain and I think mentally he's very good and focused on the World Championships in Hamilton. He will be very strong there."

Lance's biggest fan

By Monique du Bois

Benjamin and family
Photo: © Jeff Tse

During the Tour de France you encounter all types of fans, people who sleep in their cars on the climbs the night before, crazy Basque fans who want you to take their picture, friendly older couples who share their TV with you, Americans wearing the flag as a cape, cyclists who ride the course and families having picnics.

Today we waited for the peloton with 19 year-old Benjamin Messonnier, who is quite possibly Lance Armstrong's biggest fan. We came upon Benjamin with his family a few hours before the race. His mother was busy painting "LANCE" down the road, while his father and brother erected their home made Lance/Postal banner.

The Messonniers had driven over 300 km this morning to get from their home near Toulouse to just outside of Bordeaux to watch the Postal team leader wave to them as he rides by. Benjamin's dad helps him wave back to Lance, since he doesn't have use of his arms.

"Yes, we're tired, but we're very happy," they said, after having seen five stages this year.

There are parallels between Benjamin's life and Lance's. They have both overcome huge obstacles, and in doing so seem to have glimpsed the true meaning of life. Benjamin met Lance five years ago during his first Tour de France win and they've been friends ever since. His mother showed us photos of a recent visit they had with Lance and told us he and the Postal staff were "very nice".

Today Benjamin was sporting his new US Postal hat and jersey autographed by Armstrong. While they waited, he got a visit from one of the passing Postal cars and a France TV2/3 news car. Benjamin is becoming somewhat of a celebrity himself as he follows the American in yellow.

Medical communique

Niki Sorensen (CSC): Left Knee Pain
Leon Van Bon (Lotto-Domo): Digestive troubles

McGee and Eadie out of World Championships

Two of Australia's reigning world champions, Brad McGee (FDJeux.com) and Sean Eadie have been forced to withdraw from next week's Track Cycling World Championships. McGee, the 2002 individual pursuit world champion, has been suffering a mystery illness for the past week of the Tour de France, while sprint world champion, Eadie has returned home to Sydney from the team training camp in Germany due to a recurring knee injury.

"Sean's knee flared up again during training and we decided it was better for him to go back to Sydney and get treatment than to risk aggravating it," said Australian Head Coach, Shayne Bannan. "Next year is the Olympic year and it's important we get the problem fixed now."

Eadie injured his left knee and strained his right as well during strength training in the gym in March. He was pressing between 350-400kg in the session and the injury meant he missed both the Australian Championships and the Sydney World Cup round.

McGee wore the leader's yellow jersey for three days in the current Centenary Tour de France after claiming victory in the prologue. However he struggled through the Pyrenees enduring inexplicable hunger attacks which drained him of all energy.

"You feel like you want to pass out to escape it and any athlete, runner or bike rider can tell you they've had a hunger flat and it's probably the worst feeling you can have, but I can have it 40km into a race," said McGee after today's 17th stage from Dax to Bordeaux, and a welcome return to flatter roads. "Then you're just legless for an hour or an hour and a half till the energy comes back."

"It's really strange but even stranger is how it comes back," he said. "Yesterday I was on the second Category 1 climb and the boys were pushing me; then all of a sudden I looked at Baden (Cooke) and it was like this flash of blood hit my head and I just went 'aaaagh I'm back' and went up the road and up the hill just like that.

"The frustrating thing is we don't know what it is but my doctor has organised for me to have extensive tests with a specialist in Paris next week so hopefully we'll find out."

The tests require McGee to stay off his bike for three days and he is determined to overcome the problem before he moves on to his next objective. He admits though that he is very disappointed to miss the chance to defend the track crown he claimed in Denmark last year. It capped off an unprecedented run of success for McGee who won a stage of the 2002 Tour de France and 48 hours after the Tour finished in Paris lined up to win his third consecutive individual pursuit Commonwealth Games crown.

"When they changed it to Stuttgart (2003 World Championships were originally planned for China) I thought beauty I can have a crack at defending the title, and the way I felt last year in Manchester it was a pleasure to be riding the bike," said McGee. "But now I've had to go 'whoa whoa whoa', enough is enough.

"Things are really rocking this year and especially now, but it can't last for ever and I want to back up again for a few things at the end of the season and more importantly for next year's Olympic Games," he explained. "Things can just overlap each other if you don't get on top of them and I'm getting older and sensible.

"It could be anything, a mild problem with a certain type of food, digestion or anything.

"We'll just have to have a look at it but hey I'm still here," he laughed adding that his role now was to support the bid by compatriot and team mate Cooke for overall honours in the sprinter's green jersey competition. "Just about every day in the mountains was bad and if I get through one day without a problem it's a bit of a bonus now.

"I'm still up there and I pushed through to help Baden and although today he might have lacked a little bit in the sprint I'm sure he'll be back tomorrow and the Champs Elysées looks good," said McGee who plans to lead out his team mate in Sunday's final stage. But it will be a big task with defending green jersey champion and fellow Australian, Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Domo) breathing down his neck.

Today McEwen edged out German Erik Zabel and Cooke to win the bunch sprint for 11th place and in the process moved two points closer to Cooke who now has 169 points to McEwen's 163.

"It was good to get a couple of points back but there's still a lot of work to do to get the green jersey," said McEwen. "If it goes the same way tomorrow as today then I'll just try and get back a couple of points if I can."

Cooke and McEwen both agree that Sunday's final stage will decide the result.

"I think the guy who holds it together on the last day will win," said Cooke, obviously annoyed with himself that McEwen had gotten the better of him today.

World's okay, but no Pan Am selection for Mirabella

By Kristy Scrymgeour

Erin Mirabella joins the rest of the US track team today as they head to the World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany. Mirabella is excited about the World's, but is still very disappointed about her non-selection in the Pan Am Games which begin the following week.

Cyclingnews spoke with Mirabella who expressed her concerns once again. "The reason I am disappointed is that a win at Pan Am Games automatically qualifies you for World Championships next year, which in turn is a qualifying race for the Olympics. So in effect this year Pan Am Games are more important for me than World Championships."

Mirabella has spent quite a few months fighting her case this year. "I complained early on that there was no spot for an endurance track rider at Pan Am's and I have made USA Cycling aware of it many times. My only option was to take it to court, but I was advised not to as my chances of winning were slim. It would be a lot on money with no assured result. Also you get tired of fighting. You put all your energy into it and nothing eventuates."

"Now it is too late, however I want my views heard", continues Mirabella. "I am hoping that even if my point isn't publicly resolved, that internally USA Cycling will make the changes for the future."

When Cyclingnews spoke with Steve Johnson during the Pan Am selection races in Colorado Springs last month he insisted that their decision was firm. "It's all about priorities. With limited funding and resources, we have to make choices, and we decided that we would focus on the sprint events as we have a high standard of sprinters in the USA and there is a more accurate method of selection as they are all timed events."

Irish team named for Junior Tour

By Shane Stokes, Irishcycling.com

The Irish squad for the M. Donnelly Junior Tour of Ireland has been announced by team manager Tom Keenan. The junior rankings leader Theo Hardwick (Killoglin Credit Union CC) is aiming to improve on his third place finish of last season, and will be joined by Northern Dave Kane rider Frazer Duncan, Killorglin's Barry Woods and Mark Cassidy of the Cycleways Lee Strand team.

With just four places available on the Irish team, the in-form junior Colm Crawley will be competing instead in the colours of the Stamullen M. Donnelly squad, together with Mark Nestor. Both riders have won races in the Isle of Man this week. Crawley won the Douglas circuit race while Nestor took the Douglas Kermesse, and so both will go into the Junior Tour with high hopes of success. The team will be completed by Stephen McKenna and Jamie Barlow, with Gerard Cromwell acting as manager.

The M. Donnelly Junior Tour of Ireland will take place in and around Waterford from August 5th until 10th. A large number of foreign riders have been confirmed as travelling, with teams from France, the Netherlands, South Africa, the US and the UK all taking part.

Previous News    Next News

(All rights reserved/Copyright Knapp Communications Pty Limited 2003)