Latest Cycling News for September 22, 2006

Edited by Jeff Jones, Laura Weislo and Greg Johnson, with assistance from Susan Westemeyer

Cancellara becomes world champion: "The best year of my life"

It's been a good year for Fabian Cancellara after he secured victory at the prestigious Paris-Roubaix and announcement he is expecting a baby with his new wife. The Swiss tells Hedwig Kröner how victory in yesterday's Elite Men's TT at the 2006 UCI World Road Championships has put him on cloud nine.

Cancellara
Photo ©: Roberto Bettini

A long-time dream has become reality for Swiss Fabian Cancellara today in Salzburg, as he took the win in the men's time trial. The 25 year-old knew his time was the winning one as he powered along the finishing straight, thousands of hands clapping onto the cardboard barriers, and he clenched his fist as he flew over the line, overwhelmed with emotion. "I felt so strong today, and I knew that my time was good," he said. "I had been focused all day so that was a moment of great relief and happiness."

The countdown to the race against the clock was smooth, even though 'Cance' was loaded with tension and focus. "It was a perfect day for me, everything turned out just as I had imagined it," he continued. "I woke up two times last night, as I was already in the race emotionally. This morning, I trained a little and when I warmed up on the rollers, I felt already that it would be a good day. I can't say much about it, everything just clicked. I never raced this good. And seeing how long I have worked for this... it's just a wonderful feeling."

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Lang satisfied in the end

by Susan Westemeyer

Gerolsteiner's Sebastian Lang was dreaming of bronze going into the World's time trial. Instead of third, though, he ended up off the podium, in fifth place, 2.08 down.

His first reaction was: "I am really disappointed." He told the sid press agency, "I wanted a medal, but only felt well really at the beginning. After that I had the impression that I was sitting on the wrong bike." Apparently the seat was not properly adjusted.

Later he showed himself more satisfied with his performance. "I reached my goal of the top five and noticed that I am on the right way for the 2007 World's in Stuttgart." He even added jokingly, "I was eighth, now fifth. You can figure out where I'll finish next year..."

His Gerolsteiner team manager Hans-Michael Holczer was not disappointed. "First of all, I'm satisfied with the results. Seppel met my highest expectations, that he would finish between fifth and fifteenth. And second, Sebastian made big leap and improved himself over last year... Maybe there will be a medal for him next year in Stuttgart."

Fastest Austrian of the Week

By Nick Warren in Salzburg

Gerrit Glomser may not have been named in his country's team for the World Championships, but he has staked his claim as being the Fastest Austrian of the Week.

The Vorarlberg professional was pulled over early Thursday morning in his car on the motorway heading towards Salzburg. According to the police reports he was clocked at 210km/h, a fact all the more remarkable considering he was driving a Fiat Punto.

The Fiat Punto manual states 200km/h is the car's maximum speed and a more likely figure of 160km/h has been suggested.

"The police were very fair to me," Glomser said. "I was in a real hurry."

Doping scandal brewing in Belgium

Belgian politician Jean-Marie Dedecker has set off what could turn into another doping scandal involving Belgium's top riders. The VLD (Flemish Liberals and Democrats) senator revealed last week that he had reliable information that three top Belgian riders went to Italy in February this year to undergo a doping program. He would not reveal their names publicly, but did say he would do so in front of a judge. On Monday of this week, Dedecker told Dutch TV that he knew of a fourth rider who had asked a doctor for EPO.

The comments prompted a swift and angry reaction from Quick.Step team manager Patrick Lefevere, who felt as though the image of Tom Boonen was being attacked. Lefevere wants to take legal action against Dedecker, with the support of the IPCT (International Professional Cycling Teams, a group formed out of 18 of the 20 ProTour teams) and the Celio sports management company.

But Lefevere doesn't have the support of Belgium's other ProTour team Davitamon-Lotto in its campaign against the senator. "At the moment, there isn't nearly enough that has been put forward to undertake legal steps against Jean-Marie Dedecker, and hopefully all parties will act with the necessary calmness."

The Belgian cycling federation's prosecutor Jaak Fransen will meet with senator Dedecker to discuss his allegations. Fransen will make a decision on September 27 whether to pursue things further.

Barry to T-Mobile?

by Susan Westemeyer

Canadian media are reporting that Michael Barry is joining T-Mobile Team. Discovery Channel Team Manager Johan Bruyneel confirmed that the Canadian is leaving his team. "It is natural that we will make changes and that some riders will also look to make a change," Bruyneel said. "I am very confident that we will continue to win big races in 2007 with our new roster."

However, it looks like sprinter Olaf Pollack will not be riding for T-Mobile next year. According to the Laustizer Rundschau Online, he and incoming team manager Rolf Aldag have not been able to agree on a contract extension. "I would like to stay," Pollack said, but he is now looking for other offers.

It is also being reported that Brian Vandborg will join CSC teammate Jacob Piil und Directeur Sportif Tristan Hoffman at T-Mobile next season. The 25-year-old is the reigning Danish time trial champion.

Two more years for Löwik with Rabobank

Gerben Löwik has extended his contract with the Rabobank squad through the end of the 2008 season. Löwik will start his fourth season with Rabobank, having raced with the team in 2001, and again from 2005 forward.

During his pro career Löwik has recorded al total number of seven victories, including wins in the general classifications of both Ster Elektrotoer and Circuit Franco-Belge in 2003.

Jittery Joe's signs new and old names for 2007

Cesar Grajales will rejoin Jittery Joe's-Zero Gravity Pro Cycling Team in 2007 after leaving the team at the end of 2004, spending two seasons with Navigators Insurance Cycling Team. "We are all extremely excited to have him back next year," explained Team Manager Micah Rice. "I think that we will be ready to step it up on the domestic scene with out new additions and our returning riders."

Thirty-three-year-old Grajales made his mark on international cycling with the team during the 2004 Tour de Georgia by winning the queen stage.

In addition to Grajales, 'The Bean Team' has announced the signing of two new Aussie riders - Cyclingnews.com's Cody Stevenson and Tommy Nankervis. Jittery Joe's has also confirmed Aussies Jeff Hopkins and Trent Wilson will continue riding with the team next season as will Americans Neil Shirley and Austin King.

World Champions to compete at Revolution

Revolution will play host to the first sprint battle of the track season when World Champions go head to head at the Manchester Velodrome on October 14th. Some of the world’s top sprinters will take on the best of Britain, including Double World Champion Theo Bos. Joining Bos French sprint star Mickael Bourgain. Bourgain will be wearing the rainbow jersey as Team Sprint World Champion.

Making up the international field will be German sprint showman Jan Van Eijden and Italian legend Roberto Chiappa. Both riders have had plenty of experience at the Manchester track particularly during the 2000 World Championships where Van Eijden took the World Title and Chiappa was controversially disqualified in his semi final against Laurent Gane.

For more information and to buy tickets got to www.cyclingrevolution.com.

New Dutch race

The Netherlands will get a new UCI classified race next season with the Ronde van het Groene Hart, scheduled for March 25. The race has been given a 1.1 ranking and will finish in Woerden.

ConexTrain, travelgirl magazine women's teams combine

Austin, Texas-based Team ConexTrain and Atlanta's travelgirl magazine women’s professional cycling teams consolidated last week, forming a top-tier National Racing Calendar (NRC) squad for 2007. The new team, Team HealthCoach presented by travelgirl magazine, will be managed out of Austin by AG Cycling (www.agcycling.com), which ran Team ConexTrain in 2006.

The squad will consist of Jen McRae, winner of this year's Athens Twilight Criterium, Allyson Brandt, Kim Sawyer, Leigh Valletti, Tiffany Ballew, and Kim Foland. The new team will debut in October at the AMLI Downtown Criterium in Austin.

Fraser a father again

The Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis family grew yet again this week. Gord and Caryn Fraser welcomed Axel Thomas Fraser into the world early Thursday morning. Axel was born at the Fraser home, and is their second child. "Angus is very happy to be a big brother," Gord reports. The birth follows just days after Gord's teammate Nathan and wife Karen O'Neill had their first child, Lydia.

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