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First Edition Cycling News for January 21, 2006

Edited by Jeff Jones & John Stevenson

Barredo plays it cool

Carlos Barredo (Liberty Seguros)
Photo ©: Mark Gunter

The winner of the third stage of the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under, Carlos Barredo (Liberty Seguros), credited his cool head for allowing him beat the other 10 riders in the breakaway. Barredo, a third year pro who had had only one win to his credit before yesterday, is renowned as a strong rider, one who often makes long but ultimately unsuccessful breakaways. He did so in several of the big classics last year, and there is no question that he has excellent endurance.

Barredo took advantage of the fact that he was nearly 24 minutes down on the general classification to start the breakaway after just four kilometres of the 154 km stage between Strathalbyn and Yankalilla. "From the first day I was looking for a break and was a little disappointed at not managing it, so today I decided to do it. I had a strong desire, because I am feeling very strong. This winter, I trained with a lot of intensity and started the race at a lighter weight than last year.

Barredo attacked the break with 50 km to go, taking Matt Hayman with him. But when he dropped his chain, the group came back together and he was forced to attack again, taking Botcharov, Becke, Pauwels, Evans and Jerome with him. Finally, he managed to ride everyone off his wheel with 10 km to go to win by a minute and a half.

Oops
Photo ©: Mark Gunter

"Today I was surprised because in the break there was some very good riders, but for the first time in my career I have raced coolly, not like last year. Besides, today I had with me a rosary that Nosti, a member of my cycling club, gave me for doing the Tour of Flanders last year. 'Take it when you want,' he said to me, and today I decided to put it into my jersey, so when I came to the finish, I put it on to celebrate the victory.

"The difference between last year and this one is that in 2005 I was getting into all the breaks but I never won. Now, I have won in the first one of the year. My objective this season is to continue progressing - that especially - but I would also be happy with riding one grand tour for the first time . And yes, I dream more of riding the classics again, especially the Tour of Flanders, but I know that I must continue learning."

More than a ride in a team car

Break on through to the other side

Accepting a generous offer to travel in the United Water - Australia U23 team car driven by team manager Paul Brosnan, Cyclingnews got to see the race from another side on the third stage of the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under. Anthony Tan enjoyed every minute.

09:10 Adelaide Hilton

Team manager Paul Brosnan
Photo ©: Anthony Tan

Walking down the steps and across the road towards the Tour Village, I was sure my eyes caught a glimpse of Paris Hilton, daughter of the famous family empire that made high-class hotels their forte and which our place of residency this week was eponymously named. Oh well, maybe it was a podium girl...

(note to self: must not get distracted; eyes on the job)

09:12 Tour Village
I'm introduced to Paul Brosnan by the publisher of Cyclingnews, Gerard Knapp. 'Broso', born and bred on the Gold Coast but now based in Launceston, is normally head cycling coach for the Tasmanian Institute of Sport (T.I.S.), a position made vacant after his predecessor, Kevin Tabotta, accepted a position as the Australian national cycling team's high performance manager.

Including myself, there's two others travelling with us, and before I can shout "Shotgun!", Broso pre-empts my thoughts by saying: "Anthony, you can have the front." Yeah.

Click here for the full feature.

Sorrow over Jeanson ban

There has been more sorrow than anger in the reactions of significant figures in Canadian cycling to the news of Genevieve Jeanson's lifetime ban. The 24-year-old from Quebec returned a positive test for EPO at the Tour de Toona in July 2005 and on Thursday announced she was retiring from cycling after the USADA handed her a lifetime ban.

Ion a statement from the Canadian Cycling Association, its High Performance Director Kris Westwood said, "It is of course profoundly disappointing on many levels that Geneviève Jeanson's career has ended in this way. She had the potential for a brilliant career, and it's a terrible waste of talent that these repeated scandals are all we're left with."

Westwood was referring to Jeanson's previous brushes with anti-doping authorities. In 2004 she failed to report for a doping test at the Fleche Wallonne World Cup, and in 2003 she was prevented from starting in the world championship road race in Hamilton, Canada because her haematocrit was too high.

Jeanson was also a client of Dr. Maurice Duquette who in 2003 pleaded guilty to charges brought against him by the Collège des médecins du Québec (Quebec College of Physicians), many of them dealing with the improper administration of EPO. Dr. Duquette admitted - then denied - giving EPO to an "international level Quebec cyclist and coach" who his files revealed to be Jeanson. Jeanson subsequently denied ever having used or even seen EPO.

"It's just a shame because I think she is a real talent and could have gone a long ways in cycling and done a lot for Canada and for herself," veteran Canadian cyclist Anne Samplonius told the Toronto Star. "I think she's been led down a wrong path."

Peace Race returns in 2006

The Peach Race will be held again in 2006, after its cancellation last year due to financial problems. The Czech cycling association, CCS, announced Friday that the race will start May 13 in Linz, Austria and end May 20 in Hannover, Germany. It will run from Austria though the Czech Republic to Germany. Traditionally the race has also run through Poland, but will not do so this year. Herbert Notter from Switzerland will be the new race director. The Peace Race was first run in 1948 and was at one time the largest amateur cycling race.

Powerade Mini Tour For Kids update

With the recent soaring temperatures in Adelaide, organisers of the Powerade mini tour for kids (part of the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under) have issued a release stating that they are taking every precaution to ensure the more than 200 entrants are not disappointed or put at any risk.

"Parents are strongly encouraged to make the decision as to whether or not their children participate. Organisers urge all registered entrants to come to the event even if they are not planning on riding to collect their goody bag and t-shirt.

"Please be advised that the time will be shortened and water spray tents kindly supplied by United Water have been installed for use after the event."

For more information, visit www.tourdownunder.com.au.

Clif Bar team goes green

Cycling is often presented as an environmentally-friendly activity, but the racing side still manages to make its contribution to increased carbon dioxide levels as teams roam the country by car. The new US Clif Bar Midwest team is aiming to keep its travel 'climate-neutral' in its inaugural season by working with Native Energy, a privately-held Native American company focused on renewable energy.

The athletes and affiliates of Team Clif Bar Midwest, including the squad's coach and administrators, will track every mile travelled in a vehicle for races, practices and general team business in 2006, according to the team. The monitoring will encompass both airline and road miles. Following the season, for every 300 miles travelled, Team Clif Bar Midwest will purchase a two-dollar 'Cool Tag,' benefiting Native Energy's WindBuilders program. This unique initiative assists Native American communities in constructing wind farms that deliver clean, renewable energy without releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Each Cool Tag represents a savings of 300 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, which is roughly the amount generated by travelling 300 miles in the average car.

Additionally, Clif Bar & Co. has announced that it will match the full financial contributions of Team Clif Bar Midwest, therefore doubling the benefit to the environment. "Racing and training on the bike in an urban setting such as Chicago, I think everyone associated with the team is conscious of the detrimental impact that vehicle emissions have on the environment," said Joel Feinberg, Clif Bar Midwest Field Marketing Manager and a member of Team Clif Bar Midwest. "The nature of the sport means that we occasionally need to log significant miles to reach our events. However, this initiative is a great way for the team to help offset the penalties of that travel. We are hopeful that Team Clif Bar Midwest will be just one of many programs to join in this endeavour, since we all benefit greatly from a cleaner environment."

Dead Dog Classic improved

Coming off a record setting 2005, the Wyoming, USA's 18th "nearly annual" Dead Dog Classic Memorial Stage Race will have a slightly different look this year. In addition to the very tough Snowy Range Road Race and the Historic Downtown Laramie Criterium, the time trial has been moved to a more challenging location. Starting at 8888 feet elevation on the I-80 service road 11 miles east of Laramie, the new 10 mile long course is the highest altitude "flat" time trial in the United States.

Last year the Dead Dog Classic reached a milestone with over 300 riders taking part in the difficult race sponsored by the Laramie Bicycling Network and sanctioned by the American Cycling Association. Nationally known racers Mike Creed (Discovery Channel) and Phil Zajicek (Navigators) were bested by local racing sensation Clayton Barrows (RMCEF) for the overall win. On the women's side of the event, world ranked Jo Kiesanowski (Rubinetterie) dominated.

The Snowy Range Road Race has been improved this year with the addition of another neutral feed zone near the 10800 foot Snowy Range Summit. Feed zone number one has also been repositioned to a point higher up the mountain to provide maximum benefit for the racers.

More detailed information on the race may be found at www.deaddogclassic.com

Tilford to lead Midwest Trek/VW squad

Multiple cyclocross and mountain bike champion Steve Tilford will head another new Midwest team in 2006, when he lines up as rider/manager for the Midwest Trek-Volkswagen team. Tilford brings over 20 years of racing and team management experience to the squad that will focus on the larger Midwest races including the Tour of Kansas City, Gateway Cup, Lincoln Plating Spring Cycling Classic as well as select National Racing Calendar events.

Click here for the full roster

travelgirl Magazine Women's Cycling Team

The U.S. travelgirl Women's Cycling Team has named its 2006 team roster and sponsors. travelgirl Magazine (travelgirlinc.com), an Atlanta-based travel magazine geared toward women of all ages and walks of life, has again returned as title sponsor.

The team had a successful 2005, including two stage wins and three podiums at Super Week; an 8th place team ranking the Wachovia Liberty Classic; and victories in the Georgia State Road, Criterium, and Cyclocross Championships, and is looking at expanding its calendar to encompass additional National Race Calendar (NRC) events. In addition to racing south-eastern regional races, travelgirl will race NRC events such as the Athens Twilight Criterium, Nalley Historic Roswell Criterium, Raleigh Twilight Criterium, Sunny King Criterium, Captech Classic, Bike Jam/Kelly Cup, Snow Valley Grand Prix, Tour of Somerville, Wachovia Liberty Classic, Bank of America Criterium, US 10K Classic, and the U.S. National Criterium Championships.