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Edited by Jeff Jones
The 22nd edition of the Vuelta Ciclista a Murcia (UCI 2.3) to be held from March 6-10, 2002 was presented today in the Palacio de San Esteban. Once again it will mark the season debut for Lance Armstrong and Marco Pantani, virtually opposites on the world rankings although neither will be expected to shine in this race.
Other notables include Oscar Camenzind, riding for his new Phonak team, as well as a strong Spanish representation including last year's winner Aitor Gonzalez (Kelme). On the Spanish front, ONCE-Eroski, iBanesto.com, Kelme, Euskaltel-Euskadi, Jazztel-Costa Almeria and Relax-Fuenlabrada are all sending teams to the race, while there will be 11 foreign teams represented.
The race is five stages, starting with a 177 kilometre stage from Murcia to Fortuna, and finishing with a flat 12.9 kilometre individual time trial in Murcia. The race is quite hilly, with the toughest stage being stage 4 from Ceuti to Alham, which contains the category 1 climb of Alto del Collado Bermejo (1150m) near the end of the stage.
iBanesto.com
O.N.C.E-Eroski
Euskaltel-Euskadi
Colchon Relax Fuenlabrada
Kelme-Costa Blanca
Costa De Almeria
US Postal Service
Rabobank
Telekom
Lampre-Daikin
Team Nürnberger
Milaneza-MSS
Collstrop-Palmans
Saeco Longoni Sport
Lotto-Adecco
Phonak Hearing Systems
Mercatone Uno
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Mario Cipollini has taken his first win for the Acqua & Sapone-Cantina Tollo team, after beating Norwegian Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) in a bunch sprint at the end of a wet stage of the Tour Méditerranéen. In the overall classification, Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) took over the leader's jersey from his teammate Michele Bartoli.
Click here for the full report
Litespeed titanium bikes have been present in the European peloton for several years, but always rebadged as other people's bikes. 2002 is the first time Litespeeds have actually carried their own decals, and the bike builder from Chattanooga, Tennessee is understandably proud of Lotto-Adecco's Litespeed Titanium Vortex bikes.
The Skilled Tour of Tasmania (February 27-March 3) is Australia's oldest cycling Tour and is one of only three Australian tours to be granted international status with the world cycling body, the UCI. This year's Skilled Tour of Tasmania will see some of Australia's best cyclists, including the National team, head to head against some world class internationals, along some of the most spectacular cycling terrain in the world.
Australia's first international professional squad iteamNova.com along with national teams from Japan, NZ and Australia contribute to riders from nine countries who will attempt to take the title from defending champion, Queenslander Glen Chadwick.
Olympic Gold Medallist Brett Aitken will start favourite, but one of his main dangers is facing a race against time to make the start line. David McKenzie, captain of iteamNova.com and stage winner of the Giro d Italia, seriously gashed right through his thigh muscle in a freak training accident three weeks ago and is desperately trying to get back on the bike to prepare for his assault on the Tour of Tasmania.
"It was devastating at the time as it was only three days before the national title. It has also cost me a ride in The Tour Downunder and the Tour de Langkawi and I just hope I can get back for Tassie," McKenzie said.
The event will again be shown to audiences throughout Tasmania on Southern Cross, across Australia on Network 10 and C7, and around the globe to 200 million viewers on Transworld Sport and SN TV.
Cyclingnews will be hosting the official internet site for the Tour of Tasmania, and will be bringing you full reports and results from each stage, as well as news from the tour.
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Stages
Overall Map
Start list
News stories
The Spanish second division Jazztel-Costa de Almeria team was presented today in Almeria. The team, sponsored by a Spanish telecom company and the region of Almeria, is looking to repeat its performance from last year, and will again be guided by experienced director Miguel Moreno.
"We try to equal the results of 2001, which weren't small," said Miguel Moreno at the launch. "We have not signed reputed riders and the pressure from other teams is getting bigger. Now there are less teams, but much stronger than in previous seasons. This season the competition will be a lot tougher, so if we can have 13 victories this year it will be a considerable advance on last year."
The team consists of 15 riders, only four of whom are new this year. Rafael Casero (ex-Festina & brother of Angel Luis) is the sole transfer, in addition to three neo-professionals: Jorge Ferrio Luque, Tomi Kanto (Fin), and Gustavo Mario Toledo. The team's highest ranked rider is Carlos Torrent Tarres, who had success in last year's Vuelta España.
Jazztel-Costa de Almeria will race in all of the Spanish races this year, most of the races in Portugal as well as the top races in France. It's also trying for a start in the Tour of Germany in June.
James Perry (bronze medallist at the 2001 U23 ITT World's) who signed for Amore & Vita Beretta, had a delayed start when he crashed at the end of last year. James' accident occurred at the Paarl Boxing-Day Track event, where he was forced into the fence during a sprint lap in the "devil", probably at around 50 km/h.
He broke his collar bone and shoulder blade, the latter being by far the most serious. After lots of debate (and extreme pain), and an initial skin graft to seal the open wound on his shoulder, he was operated on by Dr Joe de Beer, a recognised expert on shoulder injuries. He used three metal plates and 24 screws to re-assemble the scapula.
10 days later James was able to get on his indoor trainer and built up to 2 x 2 hr sessions during the following week. Last week he was back on the road and has now regularly been doing between 120 - 180km per day. He rode at Killarney on Wednesday, and said he felt fine.
Although well behind on his training schedule, James will be taking part in the PPA race this coming weekend - his first competitive event since his accident.
His new team, Amore & Vita Beretta have been very supportive throughout and he will be going back to Italy after the riding in the Giro del Capo which starts on the 5th of March.
Courtesy of SA-cycling.com
Cycling will be celebrated this year by the town of Münster (Germany). On May 12th the first stage of the Giro d'Italia will finish in Münster. At the same time there will be an exhibition about cycling history and two UCI-races in August, the 3rd Groningen-Münster for professionals and an International Stage Race for juniors called the Münsterland Tour. The program of sports, culture and cycling science will culminate with the 13th International Cycle History Conference from September 10-14, 2002.
The Cycle History Conference will be held within the Institut of Sport Science, Münster University, whose director is Prof. Dr. Michael Krüger. The Conference organizer is Dr. Rüdiger Rabenstein, assisted by the sport administration of the town.
Cycle History Conferences have been held since 1990, attended by experts from all over the world. Future conferences will be hosted in Canberra/Australia (2003) and in Vienna/Austria (2004). The participants are academics, archivists, journalists, writers, historians and collectors of antique bicycles. Many of them are attached to universities, colleges or museums.
The topics discussed at the conferences over the years have included: history of technology, social history, sport history, the history of arts, design, the bicycle industry, bicycle types and components, the history of transportation and traffic, of clubs, associations and people involved in cycling. In the early years of the conferences, the history of the bicycle as an invention played an important role and bicycle histories had to be re-written with new facts. In Münster this year, cycling as a sport will be the main theme.
Since 1994, the Proceedings of the conferences have been published in English by Van der Plas Publications in San Francisco,California. For more information on the contents and availability of these Proceedings, please consult www.vanderplas.net.
For further information, please contact the organizer: Dr. R. Rabenstein or Fax: +49-2364-102412.
After a busy off-season that saw it add additional sponsors and upgrade what was already a strong roster, the Fairway/Cyfac Elite Cycling Team was formally announced today.
Team Fairway/Cyfac is prepared to build on a successful 2001, during which the first-year squad established itself in the national ranks and won a national championship. The title sponsors, Fairway Subaru/Isuzu/Saab and Cyfac Frames are returning with an increased level of commitment, and several new sponsors have been added including Gold Level Sponsor, Papa John's Pizza.
The level of talent on the team has been increased this year. Last year's core group of riders, including Rich Hincapie (director) and 2001 Masters 30-34 National Time Trial Champion Pat McCallion, returns, and will be joined by several new faces. A key acquisition is former Italian professional Roberto di Giovane, who made his debut with the team in October's Michelin Cycling Classic; his mix of talent and experience will be invaluable in the team's bid to take the next step in its development.
Speaking of development, Team Fairway/Cyfac has added a pair of top junior prospects in Craig Lewis and Michael Proctor, who will compete both in Pro/1/2 events and top Junior races nationally. It
It's a move that team director Rich Hincapie feels had to be made: "Since the early 1990's, when most top amateur teams had junior programs, development has really dropped off. So we decided that it was important to do our part in turning that around. Craig and Michael are great young prospects, and should flourish in this team environment."
But wait, there's more.
The Fairway/Cyfac Elite Cycling Team has also announced a formal partnership with the Italian-based Amore e Vita professional formation. Under this agreement, the two 'sister' teams will exchange riders during the 2002 season, with Amore e Vita pro's racing in the Fairway/Cyfac colours in U.S. races, and Fairway/Cyfac racers competing in several Italian events.
The Fairway/Cyfac Elite Cycling Team will continue to receive advice and support from U.S. Postal Service pro George Hincapie, whose residence is in the Greenville area, and who occasionally trains with team members.
The team is managed by Greenville-based Hincapie Sports. For more information, please visit www.hincapiesports.com .
Stephen Colavito
Roberto di Giovane
Darren Fuller
Chris Giordanelli
Brian Golembeski
Rich Hincapie
Craig Lewis (Junior)
Pat McCallion
Michael Proctor (Junior)
Chandler Weekes
Staff
Team Director: Rich Hincapie
Team Doctor: Dr. Wayne Hollinger
Team Chiropractor: Dr. Dave Mruz
Team Massage Therapist: Dave Kingsbury
Sponsors
Fairway Subaru/Isuzu/Saab
Papa John's Pizza
Cyfac Bicycles
Appalachian Outfitters
Cane Creek
Carnac
Columbus
Eastside Chiropractic
Giro
Greenville Hospital System
Greenville Magazine
Medical Solutions
Michelin
Palmetto Pulmonary
Raymond James
Rudy Project
Schafer Advertising
Stella Azzurra
Sullivan Co. Insurance
Vetta
The United States will not only be represented by National/Olympic team members in the 2002 Beacon Insurance Company's West Indies vs the World Cycling Series (March 16-April 7). There will also be a composite team which will compete in the category 1-3 events, consisting of Marcus Black (TX), Terry Lott and Winston Schultz (both CO).
The series includes road and track events held in Trinidad, Tobago and Barbados.
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