Latest Cycling News for March 12, 2004Edited by Jeff Jones Riis in charge of Paris-Nice
Team CSC's performance to again crack the field in yesterday's fifth stage of Paris-Nice was a premeditated move, according to team director Bjarne Riis. "We had a map in our hands, and knew exactly when our guys had to go on the attack," Riis was quoted on the team's website (www.team-csc.com). "We put the other teams under huge pressure, and the peloton was split immediately. We had our most important riders up front, but unfortunately Basso had to drop back, as he'd been suffering from a bad stomach all day. The team worked perfectly together, and today we did everything right." At the end of the stage, Jörg Jaksche had retained the yellow jersey, increasing his lead over Davide Rebellin to 10 seconds. Jaksche's teammate Bobby Julich sits in third, and there are now four CSC riders in the top six on GC. Demol happy with HincapieUS Postal-Berry Floor director Dirk Demol was happy with George Hincapie's performance in the fifth stage of Paris-Nice, where he finished fifth and also moved up to fifth on the general classification. "George rode very attentively today, which makes me a happy man," said Demol on the team's website (www.usps-berryfloor.com). "Especially the fact he is slowly growing towards his best condition is a good sign for the classics to come. "It's a pity Ekimov had a flat tyre today on the worst possible moment, just when Team CSC started to up the pace. I left some of the guys with him to bring him back, but they had no chance whatsoever. CSC is strong, very strong, I have to admit I'm impressed by what they show here every day." Boonen compares CSC to GewissQuick.Step-Davitamon's Tom Boonen, who yesterday missed what was likely his last chance to win a stage in this year's Paris-Nice, compared the CSC team to the Gewiss-Ballan squad of 10 years ago, which dominated some races in a similar fashion. "I only saw Gewiss-Ballan in action once," he told Het Nieuwsblad. "CSC reminds me of them. CSC has made this Paris-Nice their top goal. They are the best team, we the second best. On the hardest climb I followed Frigo's wheel without difficulty, that is the positive news of the day." Cyclingnews Paris-Nice coverageStage 5 - Full
results & report Note: We will be providing live coverage of each stage, beginning at approximately 15:00 CET/9:00 EDT/6:00 PST/01:00 AEST Surgery for Sullivan after crashBy Matthew Conn Australian cyclist Sean Sullivan (Barloworld) underwent surgery in South Africa on Thursday to repair damage to his right arm sustained in a crash during the third stage of the Giro del Capo in Cape Town. While manoeuvring to lead out teammate David George, Sullivan crashed at 1 km to go just after the bunch had crossed a railway line on the run into the finish. The former Australian junior road champion, who won his first professional race last month in Malaysia, suffered a deep cut to his right forearm after colliding with the side mirror of a parked car. Despite some reports of a broken collarbone, the only major injury Sullivan suffered was the 20cm cut to his arm, which required the attention of a plastic surgeon. With no apparent damage to tendons or bone, it still may be possible for him to join his teammates when they head to Europe in two weeks time. Tri Nations Track Cycling Challenge in South Africa
It is a big week in cycling in South Africa with both the Cape Argus "Pick'n Pay" Rotary PPA Cycle Tour and the Giro Del Capo on the road as well as the Tri Nations Challenge on the Bellville Velodrome, which will see South Africa battling it out with Australia and Russia this weekend. The International Tri-Nations Track Challenge features these three nations contesting a Sprint, Keirin, 1500m, Olympic Sprint, 15km Points Race, Elimination and Madison. To determine the overall winner, points are awarded on the results of each event, with 5, 3, 2, 1 points on offer in the power events; 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 points for the sprint; and 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 points for the endurance events. TeamsRussia: Mihail Shihalev, Stoyan Vasev, Denis Dmitriev, Sergey Kolesnikov, Veleri Valynin, Ivan Kovalev, Alexey Bauer, Alexey Gushin. Evgeny Zaharov (Manager), Vladimir Leonov (Coach) and Vasily Khatunsev (Mechanic). South Africa: Jean-Pierre Van Zyl, Garen Bloch, Morne Blignaut, Gary Rabie, Wikus Esterhuizen, Nolan Hoffman, Byron Kulsen, Michael David. Juniors: Gadi Chait, Reon Els, Jacques Jonker, Ivano Siebritz, Stefan Lombard, Betram Siebrits, Durwan Benjamin, Dean Hopf. Australia: Carlo Barendilla, Peter Fitzpatrick, Matthew Goss, Grant Irwin, Clint Johnson, Stephen Rossendell, Warren Scott, Andrew Taylor. Mark Windsor (Coach) Bik is backDutch women's team boss Michel Bik will be back with a UCI registered trade team this year, according to an ANP report. Bik co-sponsored the now defunct Powerplate-Bik team last year and has been allowed to register a trade team by the Dutch cycling federation (KNWU). However, the KNWU's chairman Erik Lutjens is still interested in investigating Bik over matters relating to his squad last year. There are allegations against former Powerplate-Bik team director Ton Vrolijk and soigneur Ruud Verbeek regarding theft and the supply of doping products. The new team includes Dutch riders Daniëlle Bekkering, Eyelien Bekkering, Lenie Dijkstra and Corine Dorland, as well as Elisabet Chantzi (Greece) and Corine Hierckens (Belgium). The team will be directed by Rinus Verboom. Heuvelland Tour cancelledThe Heuvelland Tour, a UCI ranked junior stage race in the Netherlands, will not take place in 2004. The race was scheduled for May 8-9, but the sudden death of organiser Lou Maessen in the latter half of last year led to several important sponsors pulling out, and more money could not be found in time. The organisers hope to run the race again next year, and it will be known as the Lou Maessen Heuvelland Tour. Courtesy of Wielerparcours 7th Clarendon CupThe 7th Annual Clarendon Cup will be held on Sunday, May 30 in Arlington, VA, USA. The Men's Pro Invitational will begin at noon, led by defending Champion Jonas Carney (USA) of the Jelly Belly-Aramark team. The Navigators Cycling Team is expected to bring 2002 Champion Vasilli Davidenko (RUS), who will be looking for some help from his teammates, including 2000 Olympic Gold Medallist Marty Nothstein (USA). Every other US based Men's Pro team, including the Health Net-Maxxis will be among those competing. "I love the Clarendon Cup but I'm sick of seconds and thirds there. Health Net is coming to win and won't be happy with anything less," said Jeff Corbett, DS for Health Net-Maxxis. "This year we have the fire power, and Gord Fraser's season is already going well". Fraser recently won the points competition at the Tour de Langkawi in Malaysia. The Clarendon Cup will once again be part of USA Cycling's National Racing Calendar (NRC) and the American Criterium Championship Series (ACCS). 2004 Tour of Hope wants ridersThe 2004 Bristol-Myers Squibb Tour of Hope is looking for 20 riders to join Lance Armstrong in a cancer awareness ride across America between October 1-9, 2004. The ride is aimed at "inspiring and invigorating interest in cancer research" and last year 26 individuals from the cancer community joined Armstrong for the inaugural ToH. "I'm partnering with Bristol-Myers Squibb, the company who provided the drugs with which I was treated, to lead the Tour of Hope," said Armstrong in a statement. "The Tour will kick off in Los Angeles on October 1, 2004 and reach Washington, DC on October 9. The Tour of Hope riders will stop in cities along the way to share their personal stories that bring to life the importance of cancer research. I'll join the team at the start, finish and for selected segments along the way." The 20 member Tour of Hope Team must have the ability to complete the 3,200 mile trip, which will involve cycling in 100 mile relays each day for eight days, riding day and night. Equally important is a passion for furthering cancer research. The team will include cancer survivors, caregivers, physicians, nurses, and researchers, who will train for 16 weeks under the guidance of Carmichael Training Systems. Those interested can also meet up with the ToH in Washington on October 9 for a fundraising recreational ride at the grand finale, or as a volunteer at locations along the route. Moire information: www.tourofhope.org
Team Cervélo 2004Team Cervélo is ready to start its fourth season with a much larger squad and greater sponsorship depth. The team will consist of two Canadian Cycling Association Trade teams for the 2004 season, Cervélo Women's Elite Team and the Cervélo Master Men's Team. Click here for the full team roster Previous News Next News(All rights reserved/Copyright Knapp Communications Pty Limited 2004) |
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