Latest News for September 1, 2003

Edited by Jeff Jones

Hamilton to leave CSC for Phonak

Basso as replacement in CSC

Tyler Hamilton
Photo: © CN

Tyler Hamilton will be riding for a different team next season, with Phonak Hearing Systems as his next employer. Hamilton, who will not compete in any more races in 2003 due to injuries, is at the end of his two year contract with CSC and team leader Bjarne Riis says he cannot afford to keep him.

"Unfortunately it has not been possible to match the offers Tyler has had from other teams, and surely it's a shame that we have to let him go," said Bjarne Riis on the team's website. "We have had a fantastic time together, and I'm proud to have been a part in the process of making him into the rider he is today. The success Tyler has achieve on our team has made him one of the best names in professional cycling today. At the moment we are working hard to create CSC's future team, and we will be very strong. There are more new and exiting names coming up. In short time we will present the basis for the future team".

Hamilton said that "I'm sorry to say goodbye to Team CSC, but that's part of the game. I have had a fantastic time on the team, and I will thank the whole team for their great support they have given me. They all have a big honour for the results I have achieved through the past two years at CSC."

According to sportenkort.dk, and confirmed by Phonak, the Swiss team has signed this year's fourth place finisher in the Tour de France in a two year deal. Other sources say the deal is worth €3 million, as Phonak is very interested in getting a start in the Tour next year. "Phonak is aiming for places among the first three in all the Tours and World Cup races," the team said in an official statement. "With Tyler Hamilton as its captain, the Phonak Hearing System team is looking forward to a lot of excitement and some fantastic results at the next Tour de France, especially."

On the other hand Team CSC has announced that Ivan Basso (Fassa Bortolo) will replace Hamilton in CSC, signing a three year contract with the Danish team. CSC has also confirmed Jens Voigt (Credit Agricole) for a one year contract.

"Basso is a dream rider for any team," said Bjarne Riis. "To be able to sign a three year contract with him, means for both parties that it's based on a lot of credibility and trust. I've kept an eye on Basso for many years, and it has always been clear to me that he has a unique physical capacity. He's simply a natural! And he has already at a young age proved to be able to battle with the big guys in the Tour de France. He's unquestionably the most talented rider of his generation, and my ambitions are very big for the coming cooperation with Basso. He still has some things to learn, and he's now coming to a team where he can go very far. He is ready to take his responsibilities in the team."

For his part, Basso said that, "For me team CSC is the perfect team. I know Bjarne Riis as a serious and top professional, and that has been decisive in my choice. It's here at CSC I can learn to get even better in the stage races, and everyone knows that it's a strong and connected team. I need to seek new challenges, and I'm very happy to find them together with Bjarne Riis and the rest of the CSC Team."

Ullrich at Eurobike

Ullrich at Eurobike
Photo: © CN

Bianchi's star rider Jan Ullrich was spotted by Cyclingnews' European editor Tim Maloney at the Eurobike trade show this weekend. Swamped by hundreds of hysterical fans at the Bianchi stand, a fit and happy looking Ullrich was clearly basking in the enthusiastic reception at Eurobike and via Cyclingnews, conveyed his regards to his friend Bob Stapleton of T-Mobile America. Ullrich confirmed that he has chosen to end his season early and opted for a visit to Ferrari's Michael Schumacher at the F1 GP in Imola, Italy on September 14th.

For all of Cyclingnews' latest Eurobike coverage, please visit the Eurobike section.

Belgian World's team takes shape

The Belgian men's team for the World Championships in Hamilton is starting to take shape, with three riders being named as certainties by national coach Jose de Cauwer. Belgian time trial champion Marc Wauters (Rabobank) will go together with Dave Bruylandts (Marlux) and Peter Van Petegem (Lotto-Domo), as all three riders are showing good form at the moment.

Wauters will be one of Belgium's time trialists, with the second spot going to either Leif Hoste (Lotto-Domo) or Bert Roesems (Palmans-Collstrop).

Hoste and Voskamp candidates for Chocolat Jacques

Leif Hoste (Lotto-Domo) and Bart Voskamp (BankGiroLoterij) have been named as candidates for Noel Demulemaere's new team, Chocolat Jacques-Passage Fitness First, reports Het Nieuwsblad. Hoste is at the end of his contract with Lotto-Domo, but has had a preliminary discussion with Lotto manager Christophe Sercu and could well sign again with Lotto-Domo. Hoste, together with Peter Van Petegem, finished third in the GP Eddy Merckx yesterday behind Rich/Peschel and Bodrogi/Rogers.

Marlux interested in Gontchar, Karpets and Petrov

The Division II Belgian team Marlux-Wincor Nixdorf has expressed interest in signing Russian talents Vladimir Karpets and Evgueni Petrov, both part of the soon to be defunct iBanesto team, while Ukrainian Serguei Gontchar (De Nardi-Colpack) is also in the picture for Marlux.

"Last week Andrei Tchmil spoke with two time U23 world champion Petrov and on Sunday with Karpets," said team director Jef Braeckevelt to Het Laatste Nieuws. As for Gontchar, "He offered himself to us. One of the many."

Wentzel out of Vlaanderen-T Interim

Vlaanderen-T Interim has not extended the contract of South African Rudolf Wentzel for next season. However the team has two neo pro riders on its hit list: Stefaan Wijnands and Steven Caethoven.

Devolder certain for USPS

Stijn Devolder will certainly ride for US Postal-Berry Floor next season, according to La Dernière Heure. He will join Jurgen van den Broeck as one of the team's new Belgian riders.

Swedish driver charged over training ride accident

By Gabriella Ekström

The 28 year old driver who last year crashed into a seven riders training outside of Skara, causing injuries to four of them, has now been charged with reckless driving, and for causing bodily injury.

According to the attorney, the driver said he was blinded by the sun while taking a short cut through a corner, never noticing the riders. Four riders from Skara Cycling Club were hit by the car and were taken to hospital. An 18 year old elite rider suffered life threatening injuries, and was treated for a broken femur, lung damage, two broken wrists and a severe concussion. The driver of the car was not under the influence of alcohol, according to the police.

Swedish cycling has suffered a number of similar accidents, and this year's edition of the popular event Vätternrundan ended tragically when a rider who had already finished his race got in his car to drive home, although in the rules of the competition it is strongly recommended not to do this. He fell asleep in his car and crashed into a bunch of riders still in the race, killing one German rider and injuring four, two of them for life.

Other options for the race course have been discussed after this accident, and Lars Samuelsson, chairman of the Vätternrundan committee, wishes to close parts of the 300 kilometre parcours to all car traffic in the future.

Australian MTB'ers for World's

A team of 41 Australians will line up this week in the Mountain Bike World Championships in Lugano, Switzerland. The downhill squad contains three riders currently ranked in the top 10 in the world: Chris Kovarik (5th), Nathan Rennie (6th) and 2002 junior world champion Sam Hill (7th). 28 year old Katrina Miller goes into the elite women's four cross event as the world ranked number one after three victories and one second place in the four world cup rounds this season. She was the silver medallist at last year's world titles. In the men's four cross, Wade Bootes, is third in the world rankings.

In 2002 junior riders Trent Lowe and Lisa Mathison claimed gold in the cross country events and this year Mathison will defend her title in the same division while Lowe has moved up to the U23 ranks.

Full team roster

Elite Men Cross Country
 
Craig Gordon (NSW)
Josh Fleming (NSW)
Sid Taberlay (TAS)
Paul Rowney (NSW)
Chris Jongewaard (SA)
Perren Delacour (VIC)
 
Elite Women Cross Country
 
Mary Grigson (ACT)
Anna Bayliss (VIC)
Dellys Franke (VIC)
Niki Gudex (NSW)
 
U23 Men Cross Country
 
Trent Lowe (VIC)
Aiden Lefmann (NSW)
Peter Hatton (NSW)
Jai Crawford (TAS)
Brent Miller (ACT)
Shaun Lewis (NSW)
 
Junior Men (U19)
 
Alistair Farley (VIC)
Mark Frendo (QLD)
Shaun Lewis (SA)
James Maebus (VIC)
Daniel Mcconnell (VIC)
Bret Townsend (NSW)
Matt Molan (VIC)
 
Junior Women (U19)
 
Lisa Mathison (QLD)
 
Elite Men Downhill
 
Nathan Rennie (NSW)
Chris Kovarik (QLD)
Michael Hannah (ACT)
Joel Panozzo (VIC)
Jared Rando (ACT)
Justin Havukainen (WA)
 
Junior (U19)
 
Sam Hill (WA)
Dave Mclaughlin (NSW)
Lindsay Klein (QLD)
Riley Donaldson (QLD)
Liam Panozzo (VIC)
Amiel Cavalier (NSW)
Will Clifford (NSW)
 
Elite Men Four-Cross
 
Nathan Rennie (NSW)
Chris Kovarik (QLD)
Michael Hannah (ACT)
Wade Bootes (QLD)
Jared Rando (ACT)
John Johnson (QLD)
Luke Strom (NSW)
 
Elite Women Four-Cross
 
Katrina Miller (NSW)
 
Elite Men Observed Trials
 
Andrew Dickey (VIC) 

Stagiaires for 2003

Many Division I and II teams sign apprentice riders, known as stagiaires, for the last six weeks of the season. These riders are given the opportunity to experience what it's like to ride as a pro, and in some cases it leads to a full contract with the team next season. So far, the following riders have stagiaire contracts for 2003:

AG2r Prévoyance
 
Maxime Armataffet (Fra)
Loyd Mondory (Fra)
Thomas Terrettaz (Fra)
 
Brioches La Boulangère
 
Yohann Gene (Fra)
Alexandre Naulleau (Fra)
Jean Zen (Fra)
 
Cofidis, Le Crédit par Téléphone
 
John Gadret (Fra)
Benjamin Johnson (Aus)
Damien Monier (Fra)
 
Crédit Agricole
 
David Arassus (Fra)
Gene Bates (Aus)
Julien Guiborel (Fra)
 
Domina Vacanze-Elitron
 
Daniele Di Nucci (Ita)
David Garbelli (Ita)
 
Fassa Bortolo
 
Julian Sanchez Pimienta (Spa)
 
FDJeux.com
 
Arnaud Gerard (Fra)
Mark Renshaw (Aus)
Pierre Bernard Vaillant (Fra)
 
Gerolsteiner
 
Peter Magyarosi (Ger)
Matthias Russ (Ger)
 
Jean Delatour
 
Mathieu Boiche (Fra)
Nicolas Dulac (Fra)
Pierre Therville (Fra)
 
Landbouwkrediet-Colnago
 
Ludovic Draux (Bel)
Maxime Monfort (Bel)
Stefan Wijnands (Bel)
 
O.N.C.E.-Eroski
 
Jordi Grau Sogas (Spa)
Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Spa)
 
Palmans-Collstrop
 
Benny De Schrooder (Bel)
Kurt Hovelynck (Bel)
 
Phonak Hearing Systems
 
Johann Tschopp (Swi)
Sascha Urweider (Swi)
 
Team Saeco
 
Diego Caccia (Ita)
Wilfried Marget (Ita)
 
Vini Caldirola-SO.DI
 
Juan Jose Cobo Acebo (Spa)
Andrey Korovine (Rus)
Jesus Ramirez Torres (Spa)
 
Big Mat-Auber 93
 
Yves Delarue (Fra)
Saïd Haddou (Fra)
Tristan Valentin (Fra)
 
Carvalhelhos-Boavista
 
Simon Gerrans (Aus)
Marco Bui (Ita)
Pasquale Muto (Ita)
 
Colombia-Selle Italia
 
Alessandro Conti (Ita)
 
De Nardi-Colpack
 
Cristian Bonfanti (Ita)
Matej Jurco (Svk)
Alessandro Vanotti (Ita)
 
Flanders-IteamNova.com
 
Steven Thijs (Bel)
Tommy Van De Gehuchte (Bel)
Andrew Vancoillie (Bel)
 
Marlux-Wincor Nixdorf
 
Yuiriy Deychuk (Ukr)
Maxim Rudenko (Ukr)
 
MBK-Oktos-Saint-Quentin
 
Yanto Barker (GBr)
Cyril Gossmann (Fra)
Maxim Gourov (Kaz)
 
Tenax
 
Caleb Manion (Aus)
David Mcpartland (Aus)
 
Vlaanderen-T Interim
 
Stefan Caethoven (Bel)
Andy Vanhoudt (Bel) 

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