Latest Cycling News for October 6, 2005

Edited by Hedwig Kröner

CAS to rule on Hamilton case by year-end

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hopes to reach a decision on U.S. cyclist Tyler Hamilton’s appeal of a blood doping suspension by the end of the year or the beginning of 2006, news agency AP reported. A first hearing was held in Denver on Sept. 6-8 but, because not all the evidence could be presented at the time, it was decided to suspend the session and resume it later.

The date of the second hearing, which will take into account the statements of witnesses and experts, still needs to be coordinated by the CAS. Tyler Hamilton has consistently denied having recurred to blood doping, for which he was suspended by the independent American Arbitration Association on April 18, 2005. The Olympic Gold medallist tested positive for blood transfusion on September 11, 2004.

Prison sentences in Giro 2001 doping trial?

San Remo prosecutors investigating the doping scandal of the Giro d'Italia 2001, where police forces found banned substances in many riders' hotel rooms, have concluded the hearing of the cases on Wednesday. Chief prosecutor Giovanni Maddaleni has asked for a six-month imprisonment sentence for Italian rider Dario Frigo, as well as a fine of 4000 Euros. In 2001, Frigo was placed second on GC when the police raids took place, forcing him to quit the race. At this year's Tour de France, Frigo as was arrested in the morning of stage 11 after French customs found illicit substances with his wife Susanna, who was following her husband throughout the race. Frigo's greatest victories as a professional include Paris-Nice and the Tour de Romandie in 2001.

The San Remo prosecutor also requested four months imprisonment as well as a fine of 3000 Euros for Giuseppe Figueras and Alberto Elli, while Daniele De Paoli, Giuliano Figueras, Giampaolo Mondini, Pavel Padrnos and Stefano Zanini could all face two months imprisonment a fines of 2000 Euros each. Figueras, currently under contract with Italian team Lampre-Caffita, has just been announced to ride for Acqua & Sapone next season.

The verdict of the Giro d'Italia 2001 allegations is expected on October 27.

18-month suspension for Capelle

Ludovic Capelle (Landbouwkrediet-Colnago) has been suspended for 18 months by the Belgian Cycling Federation. Capelle had tested positive for EPO at a race in Gullegem, Belgium, on June 7, 2005, and had already been suspended by his team. He will not be able to participate in professional races from October 26, 2005 until April 25, 2007, and must pay a fine of over 3000 Euros.

The Belgian rider, who had insisted upon his innocence before, is determined to appeal the decision. "The fight's not over yet," he said. "I've never used EPO, I'm completely innocent and now this. Of course I'll appeal the decision!" Capelle's lawyer had pleaded for acquittal of the rider, saying that serious concerns have been raised about the reliability the EPO urinary test.

Gerard Bulens, manager of Landbouwkrediet-Colnago, is not surprised at the decision, but will wait a little longer to effectively sack the rider. "The A- and the B-sample were positive, so I'm not surprised," Bulens said. "We had signed the UCI Anti-Doping Charter and will release a rider when he tests positive. In this case, we will wait a little longer." If Capelle's appeal doesn't overrule the decision, the Belgian rider's contract is expected to be terminated.

Track: No more Kilo for Bos

Track Kilo World champion Theo Bos will not focus on the 1000 m time trial anymore, the discipline which brought him a Gold medal in Los Angeles earlier this year. The Dutchman has decided he will concentrate on the sprint, team sprint and keirin instead, as the kilo as an Olympic discipline has been eliminated earlier this year.

"It's always difficult to let go of the discipline in which you wear the rainbow jersey," Bos said. "But because the kilo has been scrapped from the Olympic programme, the decision is easier to take."

Next week, the track cycling season begins with a sprint competition in Manchester, UK; and in Berlin, Germany, the Sixday season will be opened on October 15. The first round of the World Cup will take place in Manchester on December 9-11.

T-Mobile signs Czech U23 European champion

T-Mobile has completed its 2006 roster by signing Frantisek Rabon, the Czech 2005 U23 European champion. The 22 year-old is currently riding for Czech Continental team PSK Whirlpool, and has inked a two-year deal with the German ProTeam. "He has very good predispositions to become a Classics-rider," said T-Mobile manager Olaf Ludwig. Frantisek will participate in one-day races and smaller stage races in his first ProTour season.

T-Mobile has sealed its transfer time and now counts 28 riders to its roster for next year.

Efimkin to Italy

Vladimir Efimkin will join the new team managed by Fassa Bortolo's Giancarlo Ferretti next year. The squad is reported to backed by Sony Ericsson. Efimkin, a 23 year-old Russian, started his professional career this season with team Barloworld and won the Tour of Portugal amongst other victories.

Gerolsteiner at Emilia & Beghelli

Team Gerolsteiner has announced its line-up for the upcoming Giro dell'Emilia and the G.P. Beghelli in Italy on Saturday and Sunday this week. Marcus Fothen, Andrea Moletta, Sven Montgomery, Davide Rebellin, Matthias Russ, Marco Serpellini, Fabian Wegmann and Beat Zberg will participate in both races, totalling almost 400 kilometres of hilly terrain. Directeur sportif Christian Henn has announced Davide Rebellin as captain for the Giro dell'Emilia on Saturday, October 8, and Fabian Wegmann as leader for the G.P. Beghelli on Sunday, October 9.

Leipheimer bike parade

Levi Leipheimer will lead a bike parade in his home town of Butte, Montana, on Thursday, October 20. The 1.6-mile ride will start at the Butte Plaza Mall around 1 p.m. that day, and although the event is geared to youth, "any adults that have any type of bicycle are welcome to join," said Leipheimer's brother Rob Leipheimer Jr.

After the ride, the Gerolsteiner rider who placed sixth at this year's Tour de France will be welcomed by local officials at the Civic Center annex, where a multi-media presentation featuring highlights from his career will take place. "We hope that we get a lot of kids participating," Rob told the Montana Standard. "I think the youth of Butte, some less fortunate than others, surrounded by meth or poverty, those are the children that need the motivation and need to see the results from Levi that if you work hard at your dreams, they can come true with hard work, self-sacrifice, and dedication."

Skidstrong to benefit Messenger Emergency Fund

The proceeds from the newly-launched brand Skidstrong will benefit the Bicycle Messenger Emergency Fund (BMEF). Cycles Gaansari launched the brand on September 30 to raise awareness and funding for BMEF, a non-profit organisation based in Sarasota, Florida.

"The Bicycle Messenger Emergency Fund was created to help out bicycle messengers after they’ve been involved in a crash that knocks them out of work," the fund's founder Jean Andre Vallery said. "This fund provides emergency cash for an injured bicycle messenger during the first 24-36 hours of pain from injuries."

Skidstrong-branded fixed-gear framesets, complete bicycles, clothing and accessories will be available exclusively at www.skidstrong.com Proceeds from the sale of each product goes to the BMEF.

For more information, go to www.bicyclemessenger.com

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