Cycling News Extra for July 16, 2004

Edited by John Stevenson

Armstrong on LeMond, medical controls & the media circus

Lance Armstrong
Photo: © Sirotti

Lance Armstrong has responded to harsh criticism leveled at him by the USA's last great Tour rider, Greg LeMond. In a phone interview with Austin American-Statesman sportswriter Suzanne Halliburton, Lance Armstrong told the Texas journalist, "For me, [Greg LeMond] was an inspiration growing up as a young rider. What he did on the Champs Elysees in 1989, it was a miracle. I think it turned a lot of people on to cycling. He did a lot of things in America for cycling that nobody else did... he put cycling on the map. I credit him for doing a lot of good things for cycling and I don't know what has compelled him to spend his time trashing me. But that doesn't change the fact that he was an inspiration to me growing up. Obviously I'm a little perplexed at these latest things Greg has said [to the Le Monde newspaper] but it's not the first time."

In comments to French newspaper Le Monde, LeMond yesterday implied that Armstrong's Tour de France victories were suspect. "What I'm saying is that I want to see the truth when I watch the Tour," LeMond said. "Lance is ready to do anything to protect his secret but I don't know how he will manage to keep on convincing everybody he is innocent."

LeMond said cycling had changed drastically since his three Tour victories in 1986, 1989 and 1990. "Drugs are now so powerful that they can change a man physiologically. One could even convert a mule into a stallion," he said.

LeMond implied that Armstrong's return to cycling after beating cancer was suspicious. "There are no miracles in cycling," he said, "only explanations. After I suffered a hunting accident in 1987 it took me two years before I could race again and I never reached the same level."

Following a routine medical control test after stage 10 to Saint-Flour, where Armstrong, Tyler Hamilton and Paco Mancebo all took the new UCI blood tests, Armstrong commented to Halliburton, "Of all people, I've been pushing the UCI to implement blood tests." There were five riders tested but Armstrong was only aware of the three.

Meanwhile, Armstrong continues to be pursued by the French media. On Thursday morning, a France 3 TV crew showed up at the USPS-Berry Floor team hotel and staked out Armstrong.

"They asked me some irrelevant questions about cycling", Armstrong told Halliburton. "Shortly after we left the hotel, the France 3 TV crew called the hotel and asked for the team rooming list." Armstrong went on to say, "[France 3] is desperate... they'd put something there and film it. The good news is that after five years, I might be slightly used to this."

France 3 reporter Hugues Huet said he had been to Armstrong's hotel, but denied he had tried to get access to his room "It's completely ridiculous," Huet told the Associated Press. "We do have ethics and we don't do just anything. ... If I played around by searching his room like that, I would be breaking the limits."

Padrnos and Zanini in danger

Two more riders are in danger of being asked to leave this year's Tour as a result of the Tour organisers' policy of excluding any rider under investigation for doping offences. Pavel Padrnos (US Postal) and Stefano Zanini (Quick.Step) are still under investigation by Italian authorities following the 2001 raid on the Giro d'Italia.

Ten riders and two soigneurs have been summoned to appear before the court in San Remo on October 27 to face charges of possessing or using doping substances. As well as Padrnos and Zanini, the ten include Dario Frigo, Giuseppe Di Grande, Ermanno Brignoli, Alberto Elli and Giuliano Figueras.

Moncoutie's boss loses bet

Some bets you don't mind losing, even when the forfeit will be mildly embarrassing, and that's certainly the case for Cofidis team manager Francis Van Londersele. After David Moncoutié won stage 11 of the Tour de France yesterday, a delighted Van Londersele remembered a deal he'd made with his team after Stuart O'Grady's stage win.

"That's eight years he's at the team," said Van Londersele of Moncoutié. "He's done a lot of good races and had some great results in that time but this must be the best of them all. We've waited a long time for this, but it means I will be kept busy tonight."

"I made a promise with the team that if we won another stage on the Tour, and if it was David who won it then I would let them shave off all my hair," said Van Londersele. "So it looks like tonight is the night."

Voeckler credits team effort; inspires French

Thomas Voeckler (Brioches La Boulangere) once again credited his team with helping him retain the yellow jersey. After a stage in which the white and red-clad French team was prominent at the front of the peloton, riding tempo to limit the gains of David Moncoutié (Cofidis), Juan Antonio Flecha (Fassa Bortolo) and Egoi Martínez (Euskaltel - Euskadi), Voeckler said, "I'm feeling okay, but not much better. Today the team did well again helping me to defend the jersey, but I'm beginning to feel the effects of the past few days of racing.

"I'm not looking forward to tomorrow [a serious mountain stage incorporating the climb to La Mongie] but who knows, maybe I'll feel better than I anticipate."

Lance Armstrong, however, thinks Voeckler will be in yellow for a while longer."I think it'll be a while before the yellow jersey goes to somebody else," said Armstrong. "I think Voeckler will make it through the La Mongie stage because there's the Aspin pass which he will make it over and he won't lose nine minutes on La Mongie because it's not that hard. It's only seven km. It's tough but it's not a killer. The next day is really hard and then there is a time trial."

Richard Virenque, who retained the polka-dot jersey of king of the mountains, credited Voeckler with providing inspiration for his countrymen. "I don't know what Thomas has done to us all, maybe he's put the ants in our pants," said Virenque. "In any case, he's got all of us thinking about doing well. I can't remember the last time we had so many French riders being so successful on the race."

Josh Fleming Photo: © Team Cyclingnews

Sid Taberley Photo: © Luc Claessen

Fleming gets Olympic berth

Cyclingnews.com team rider Josh Fleming has been confirmed by Cycling Australia as one of two riders who will contest the men's cross-country mountain bike race at the Athens Olympics. Fleming, who is currently Australia's leading rider in the UCI MTB World Cup series, ranked 19th, replaces Chris Jongewaard (65th), who was initially selected for the team, along with TIS-Cyclingnews Sid Taberley (20th in the World Cup).

On the UCI overall rankings, the three currently stand at 30th (Taberley), 54th (Fleming) and 87th (Jongewaard).

Fleming appealed the original selection and Cycling Australia yesterday announced that his appeal was upheld. Cyclingnews understands that Jongewaard plans to appeal the decision.

Irish riders head for Europe

By Tommy Campbell

A blend of youth and experience will compete in Belgium over four days beginning on Sunday. Back in the international fold is Timmy Barry after an absence of five months. Barry was in Malaysia at the beginning of the year for the Telekom Malaysia Le Tour de Langkawi. He was part of a seven strong team who acquitted themselves above and beyond the call of duty. Eugene Moriarty in particular was regularly up in the majority of the sprint finishes.

Both have suffered erratic form for the last few months, but particularly Barry, who has been certainly low key for all the wrong reasons. "If anything was to go wrong, you could count on me being the unfortunate person. Between puncturing and crashing, I was at sea, but at the beginning of July, I was in the groove and winning races again. I won the Ras Connachta in Cong, Co. Mayo and the headlines in the paper were, 'Barry King of Cong.'

"This week I got the call-up for international duty, so all going well, the back end of the season could be good for me. There are a number of high profile races in the next couple of months, so I'll be staking a claim from here on in," said Timmy.

The Belgian team is very balanced with Barry, David O'Loughlin (Irish Road Race Champion) and American-based, Irish professional, Ciaran Power.

Along side them will be Mark Cassidy, Sean Lacey and Paidi O'Brien all Under-23 competitors who by all accounts could the stars of the future.

On the home scene this Sunday is the Tommy Sheehan event in Carrick-on-Suir where the new Irish Under-23 champion, Mark Quigley will be in action. The locals from the promoting club, Carrick Cidona, Brian Kenneally and John O'Shea will be hoping for success in the Walls/Dalton promotion over 64 miles.

According to race organiser, Paul Lonergan, "last year, the event was part of the Classic League Series, so we ran it over 80 miles, but this year we have dropped a lap. The climb at Carney's Road is no pushover, so it'll be interesting to see how the competitors tackle that four times," heaving a huge sigh of relief, knowing full well he will have a combustion engine underneath him and his frame.

"We are also catering for al categories, so my team will be on the go all day.

"The facilities here in Carrickbeg in the local soccer club are first class," said Paul who has been organizing events in the Carrick area for many a long year and long may he continue to do so.

Also on offer this Sunday is the Paddy Neary Trophy which will be held in Dundalk. Former cyclist and now turned promoter extradonnaire, Karl Dolan is looking forward to good mix of contestants for all categories. "I think it will be an even split between ourselves and the Carrick lads. Obviously the Northern contingent will come here and the fact there is an event in Ballivor on Saturday evening will help our cause," said Karl.

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