Latest Cycling News for October 5, 2005

Edited by Jeff Jones

An interview with Gord Fraser

Be like Gord

Gordon Fraser (Health Net)
Photo ©: Bill Parsons

Former Canadian road champion Gord Fraser has racked up countless sprint victories over his career. Now, as he approaches the final chapters of his racing days, he is beginning to look ahead to what is beyond the elbows and head-butts of the field sprints in North America.

This November, Fraser is launching his road racing camp at near his winter home in Tucson, Arizona. With the help of team-mate Scott Moninger and trainer Alan Lim, he hopes that this venture will be part of his future. Cyclingnews' Mark Zalewski sat down with the Health Net-Maxxis captain in between autograph sessions at Interbike to talk about his new venture and other current topics of cycling.

Most professional cyclists in North America that make it to a level where they can actually carve out a living still realize that one day the legs just are not going to turn as fast as they once did and that racing for a salary is no longer feasible. Some racers walk away completely from the sport, but many find their way into another area - often in industry, coaching or management.

The smarter racer knows to begin this process before actually retiring from active racing. For Gord Fraser, those plans are well underway right now with his new racing camp scheduled next month. "I'm undertaking a new project - kind of foreshadowing a new future career plan," said Fraser. "I'm excited to do a training camp in Tucson - it's a great atmosphere. A lot of people when they first come to Tucson it's an environment that is completely foreign to them. There are some amazing rides. So we'll be showing people a new place, bringing in Alan Lim from PowerTap to teach people how to use watts and decipher data. The location is a great place to come and ride in November."

Click here for the full interview

Prosecutor requests three months suspended sentence for De Cauwer

The Public Prosecutor in the Jose De Cauwer/Ronny Vansweevelt drug case has asked that De Cauwer be given a three month suspended jail sentence and a €1,000 fine for his role in supplying Vansweevelt with amphetamines in 1995. De Cauwer's lawyers will defend him in court on Wednesday, and will continue to press for the case to be dropped, as the events happened 10 years ago. It's expected to be another month before a verdict is reached.

"I'm a small shrimp in this process," De Cauwer told HNB. "When ten people were questioned, I was the only one that could go home straight away. Doesn't that say enough?" De Cauwer's lawyer Luc Deleu told Sporza Radio, "I find the facts to be unpunishable. The part played by De Cauwer is simply too small for him to be a key link in the doping ring around Vansweevelt. And the second thing is that the facts are 10 years old and thus out of date. OK, there was a dose of cortisone (Diprophos) found at his house in 2001, but it had expired in 1993. I don't think it would have been used. Furthermore, cortisone is not expensive and everyone can get it with a doctor's prescription."

Tour of Queensland cancelled

By Les Clarke

The Tour of Queensland has been cancelled after the late withdrawal of transport partner Malaysia Airlines. Citing increased costs as a result of the spike in world oil prices, the air carrier decided to end its partnership with race organisers, meaning there would be no race in 2005. Race organiser John Craven spoke with Cyclingnews about the development, saying, "Malaysia Airlines said they couldn't support the race anymore, and it's been a mad scramble over the past few weeks to recover from this blow...we've received no support form the Queensland Government despite many requests for funding."

The decision was made without consulting race organisers, but Craven insists Malaysia Airlines is not to blame. "They've supported us over the years, putting money and airfares up as prizes for riders - they've been excellent, and I understand if they feel they can't support us anymore," he said. Craven, who's organised countless cycling events over two decades, says the impact on the organising committee and the 11 municipal councils that support the race is "shattering", and wasn't prepared to say if next year's edition will take place either.

Many of those involved in the race, including riders, affiliates and municipal councils have stood by the race despite this setback. "We've had overwhelming support from everyone involved in the race, and everyone was really looking forward to it. It's a big earner for councils and we'd been planning it for the past 18 months." The race was to be the climax to Australian domestic racing in 2005, with the Tattersall's Cup series, the Herald Sun Tour and Melbourne to Warrnambool Classic having been run before the race took place on October 27.

Craven doesn't see the prospects of more domestic races developing in Australia with so many obstacles, including an administration he believes is not aware of the difficulty of organising races in the country. "The future for racing in this country is frightening, considering all the obstacles," said Craven. "There's traffic regulations, sponsorship and the like...and although safety is paramount, when people go over the top it makes it very difficult. The hierarchy of Australian cycling is oblivious to the obstacles in running a race."

Craven, who has run the race with Councilor Mal Foreman of the Bundaberg Municipal Council, contributing several hundred thousand dollars to it over the past three years, was highly critical of the lack of responsibility Queensland Major Events and the Australian bike industry have taken during the weeks after Malaysia Airlines withdrew funding. "Despite requests from all 11 municipal councils, Queensland Major Events (part of the Queensland state government) has provided no support," he said. "And the Australian bike industry hasn't responded to the need for funding."

Craven spoke warmly about the fact that the media and organisations such as Bundaberg Sugar, Equigold, Jayco and Across the Waves sports club have maintained their support of the race, despite recent challenges - but not enough support, it seems, to stage a major race on the Australian road cycling calendar.

Wielinga to Quick.Step

Remmert Wielinga (Rabobank) will ride for Quick.Step-Innergetic next season. The 27 year-old is looking for a new start after an injury plagued career, and Quick.Step is happy to give it to him. "In the past, we've had a lot of success with riders who are working on a comeback," said team director Wilfried Peeters.

Wielinga commented on his website, "Next year a new team and new chances: I want to be up there. I hope that I can still do something in my last races for Rabobank."

Barloworld continues as sponsor

The South African international industrial brand management company Barloworld has announced that it will continue sponsoring its cycling team for at least another season. 2006 will mark the fourth year of the company's sponsorship, and Team Barloworld has come off another strong season. This year, the team won the Tour de Langkawi, the Giro del Capo, Tour of Portugal, as well as stage wins in some of Europe's stage races. They also won the South African champion's jersey for the third consecutive time and were well represented at the World Championships in Madrid.

Over the last three years the team has had a core of South African riders, backed by a solid European roster. The team is managed by John Robertson and Euro Cycling Promotions

Ceramica Flaminia taking shape

The Italian continental professional team Ceramica Flaminia is close to announcing its full roster for next season. The team is managed by Roberto Marrone with Massimo Podenzana and Simone Borgheresi acting as sports directors. In addition to existing riders Maurizio Varini, Manuele Spadi, Krzysztof Szczawinski, Domenico Quagliarello and Stefano Boggia, Ceramica Flaminia has attracted new signings Alessandro Proni, Gianluca Geremia and Marchynski (neo-pros), Maxim Rudenko (Jartazi Granville) and Aleksandr Kuschynski (Amore & Vita). Four other riders will be announced shortly.

"We will say in a few days who those are," said Marrone. "It's also possible that a few others will arrive. We are moving in many directions and other important supporters could come on board that will help us to grow further. We've had a lot of contacts in the races in recent weeks. Our squad is very appreciated, even though it's small. This year we will have a bigger window because as a professional team, we will be able to be invited all over Europe in some of the best races in the world. Ceramica Flaminia has confirmed its trust in us and given us some objectives to work towards together with Podenzana and Borgheresi.

Cab driver won't be charged in Butler's death

The cab driver involved in the recent death of Utah cyclist Allan Butler, who was killed while crossing the Strip in Las Vegas last Friday morning, will not face any charges, according to an article in the Las Vegas Sun. Although it was initially reported that the cab driven by Stefan Crosby had run a red light, the Sun wrote that the cab had a green light and was going through an intersection at Buccaneer Lane when it encountered Butler and two others, who were jaywalking across Las Vegas Boulevard. Two walked behind the cab, but Butler walked in front of it and hit the cab's windscreen, before rolling off it. He was taken to Sunrise Hospital and died shortly after arrival, said the police.

Detective Doug Nutton, of Metro's fatal detail, was quoted by the Sun as saying that the Crosby was not at fault and would not face any charges or citations. Neither Crosby nor his passenger were hurt in the accident.

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