First Edition Cycling News for February 21, 2004Edited by Chris Henry Teams for Paris-Roubaix
Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) has released the list of 25 teams invited to take part in the 2004 edition of Paris-Roubaix. This year's hell of the north, the 102nd edition, takes place on April 11 with a traditional start in Compiègne, north of Paris. The race will include 26 sections of pavé, including the recently rehabilitated Mons-en-Pévèle, a 3 kilometre stretch of cobbles graciously preserved by the local communities. Of particular interest will be the 3.7km section at Hornaing-Wandignies-Hamage, which will feature in stage 3 of this year's Tour de France between Waterloo, Belgium and Wasquehal. Teams: Ag2r-Prévoyance Ullrich to AlmeriaJan Ullrich has bumped up his racing debut, confirming his plans to take part in the Clasica Ciclista International de Almeria in Spain. The 187 kilometre race, scheduled for February 29, will mark the season opener for the German as he begins his build up to the Tour de France. Fellow Tour de France contender Joseba Beloki is expected to take part, although Lance Armstrong does not figure among the starters. Ullrich and Armstrong will meet for the first time this year at the Vuelta a Murcia in early March. Coupe de France Under wayThe season-long Coupe de France series kicks off this weekend with an important double bill, Saturday's Tour du Haut Var and Sunday's Classic Haribo. The Tour du Haut Var is a race for the climbers, or "puncheurs", while the Classic Haribo often comes down to a sprint in the finishing circuit in Marseille. Last year's races were won by Sylvain Chavanel (Haut Var) and Jaan Kirsipuu (Haribo). Individual and team prizes are awarded for the Coupe de France. Last year's team honours went to Brioches La Boulangère. 2004 Coupe de France February 21: Tour du Haut Var Sixth Giro di LuccaThe sixth edition of the Giro della Provincia di Lucca in Italy will take place from February 24-27, a shift in the calendar from the race's customary fall time slot. With four stages, two of which are tailor made for the sprinters, the race provides an early showdown between Italy's top sprinters Mario Cipollini and Alessandro Petacchi. Last year's tour was won by Rabobank sprinter Oscar Freire. Thirteen Italian and eight international teams will make up the 168 rider peloton, with top contenders including Trofeo Laigueglia winner Filippo Pozzato, Davide Rebellin, Stefano Garzelli, Michele Bartoli, and Yaroslav Popovych. Stages: Stage 1 - February 24: Viareggio-Capannori, 174km Teams: Acqua & Sapone Damien Nazon backDamien Nazon (Crédit Agricole), who injured his wrist in a crash at the Doha International Grand Prix in January, will return to competition at Sunday's Classic Haribo in southern France. A sprinter in a sprinter's classic, Nazon doesn't expect to challenge for victory in Marseille, but will build back up after three weeks out of racing. Casagrande delayed againLampre leader Francesco Casagrande continues to suffer from tendinitis, delaying his planned racing debut for a second time. Initially scheduled to start his season at the Trofeo Laigueglia last Tuesday, Casagrande opted to wait until the upcoming Giro della Provincia di Lucca (February 24-27). With his Achilles tendon still inflamed, Casagrande once more has postponed his entry into competition. March appears the earliest Casagrande could find himself back in action, but no date has been set. Brouzes brokenFrenchman Niels Brouzes (Auber 93) suffered a fractured clavicle after a fall in training Tuesday. Brouzes underwent surgery and should be back in training within a week or two, and back to racing in a month. He was motorpacing behind a car at the time of the fall, caused by hitting a pothole and losing control. USA Cycling U23 mountain bike teamUSA Cycling has announced the debut of the U23 National Mountain Bike Team. The program began as an effort to develop top espoir mountain bike athletes in preparation for world-class competition. The ultimate goal of the new U23 trade team is to generate gold medal finishes at world championships, the Pan American Games, and the Olympic Games. "By providing valuable coaching and preparation resources, and exposure to top domestic and international competition, we hope to nurture the development of these athletes to help them become top international competitors," " said team director Matt Cramer. Team members were recognized and selected through regional and national road and mountain bike events, USA Cycling regional and national development camps, and domestic and international results. After a competitive selection process, four talented riders were chosen to take part in the project’s first season: John Devine, Alan Obye, Sam Schultz, and Nick Waite. The riders took part in a training camp from January 4-11 at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Racing begins in March when the team will make its first appearance at the NORBA National Series in Waco, Texas.
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