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Edited by John Stevenson
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Endrio Leoni (Alessio) and Erik Zabel (Telekom) repeated their stage one finish in today's third stage of the Ruta del Sol, with Leoni once again edging out Zabel in a bunch sprint.
Francisco Cabello (Kelme) tops the general classification, ahead of three other riders on the same time: Antonio Colom Mas (Relax), Aleksandr Shefer (Alessio) and Axel Merckx (Domo)
Click here for the full results & report
By Tim Maloney / Cyclingnews European Editor
On a warm, sunny day along the Italian Riviera, Saeco's new signing Danilo Di Luca took the Italian season opener in decisive manner in Tuesday's Trofeo Laigueglia. A satisfied Di Luca said after his win in the 39th edition of the Ligurian race, "I want to dedicate this win to my (Saeco) teammates; I'm sure we'll have others. To win a sprint from almost 20 other riders takes guts and luck and I had both today."
Click here for results and full report
Gianluca Bortolami was put on the spot in yesterday's fourth day of the trial of Dr Michele Ferrari in Bologna Italy. The prosecutor and president of the court pointed out discrepancies in Bortolami's previous evidence regarding Ferrari. In February 1998 Bortolami had said that asterisks on the schedule prepared for him by Ferrari indicated EPO, but in July 1999 he changed his story claiming the asterisks indicated vitamins, saline injections and amino acids.
In his disposition, the prosecutor claimed that Bortolami 1998 testimony had been particularly precise, saying that each asterisk indicated half a bottle of EPO. When court president Maurizio Passarani noted that the rider had contradicted himself, Bortolami claimed he had been forced to say that.
Dr Ferrari, who is accused of sporting fraud and other violations of Italy's anti-doping laws, was asked to explain the presence of 500 capsules of DHEA, adrenalin and IFG1 (a stimulant of the production of growth hormone) on notepaper of the Giardini Margherita pharmacy in Bologna.
Ferrari responded that DHEA is not regulated by the anti-doping rules and adrenalin is "a product that saves lives and must always appear in dispensaries. As for IGF1, it is a research product, not available for retail."
The case continues March 19.
Jan Ullrich has extended his training session in South Africa and will not start in the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana (February 26-28) as originally planned by his Telekom team. It therefore looks like Ullrich's next race will be the Vuelta Ciclista a Murcia, which starts March 6. Ullrich started his 2001 European season at Murcia, though this year he has already ridden the Tour de Qatar.
"The decision will be made next week," said Telekom spokesman Olaf Ludwig.
After a visit to Freiburg University hospital, Ullrich has overcome the knee problems that were affecting his training. "I have no more pain. Conditions here in South Africa are optimal," Ullrich said on the team's website.
While his team-mates return home, Ullrich will remain, with coach Peter Becker, and try to make up for lost time.
Italy's first stage race of the tyear, the Giro Riviera Ligure Ponente starts today, February 20 with most of the riders from yesterday's Trophy Laigueglia expected to take part.
2002 Giro d'Italia winner Gilberto Simoni will start, lining up with Saeco team-mates and Laigueglia winners Mirko Celestino (2001) and Danilo Di Luca. A strong Italian presence is assured with the participation of Michele Bartoli (Fassa Bortolo) and Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner).
Other international stars include France's Laurent Jalabert (CSC) and the Belgian Johan Museeuw (Domo).
However, world champion Oscar Freire will be absent following changes to his early-season schedule.
Stage 1 - February 20: Andora circuit, 157.5km
Stage 2 - February 21: Pietra Ligurian-Alassio, 158.6 km
Stage 3 - February 22: Alassio-Savone, 166.8 km
Stage 4 - February 23: Ligure circuit of Margherita, 156.6 km
by Luis Barbosa and Andrea Bianco
Cyclingnews spoke to Tour de Langkawi winner Hernan Dario Muñoz after his press conference at the Colombian Cycling Federation, just a few days after his career best win and a 30-plus hour flight from Malaysia.
Click here for the full interview
The GB Cycling Team's endurance women group begin their racing season with the GP Citta di Castemaso (1.9.2) on March 10. They then move to the team's Majorca base for almost two weeks training before returning to Italy for the Primavera Rosa World Cup event on March 23. Recently appointed National Women's Endurance Coach Richard Wooles will be managing the team in both races. The following riders will be travelling with the group: Sue Carter, Jo Cavill, Mel Sears, Sara Symington, Sara Waller, Victoria Wilkinson, Charlotte Hopkinson.
Meanwhile, UK National Sprint coach Iain Dyer will be taking three sprinters – Craig Maclean, Alwyn McMath and Andy Slater – to the GP Copenhagen during the first weekend of March.
Courtesy British Cycling
The Bike Show Circuit Cup, a new event on the UK calendar debuts March 23 at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre, courtesy of Haymarket Exhibitions and Future Publishing, organisers of the NEC's annual bike show.The Elite race will be worth £2000 in prize money, and all entrants will get free entry to the show, plus discounts on family entries.
As well as races for all British Cycling categories, there will be a Slick Tyre MTB race for BC provisional licence holders. Entries are needed quickly to ensure the inaugural race is a success and establish it as an annual event. Entry forms can be downloaded from the BCF website.
Celeste is the bike colour for 'the other German Division 1 team' for 2002 and with Angel Casero in the squad, Coast must be hoping they'll have a better year aboard the Team Coast Bianchi EV4.
The Palo Alto Bicycles Women's Cycling Team has announced its team for 2002 with a roster focused on the Northern California regional and national racing calendar (NRC) road events. This team was primarily formed in order to promote competitive women's cycling in Northern California. It is the hope of the riders and the many generous sponsors that this team will spearhead the formation of more elite women's cycling teams in the coming seasons and aid in the growth and popularity of women's cycling in general. In this pursuit, the PABW Cycling Team will conduct advocacy, health educational and practical cycling-related clinics using the businesses and organizations of its sponsors as a medium.
Riders
Brenna Wolford
Christine Thorburn
Heidi Witherell
Erin Kassoy
Armida Huerta
Virgina Richards
Gina Kehr
Kathy Lenno
Jamie Crawford
Jennifer Guthrie
Holly Harris
Sponsors
Palo Alto Bicycles
Pfizer
Dr. Fred Holley, Sports Anesthesia
Drs. Dwain L. Coggins and Niel F. Starksen, Cardiology Associates
Brendan Leary and Gina Kehr of Coldwell Banker, Palo Alto
Drs. Richard Meltzer and Tom Elardo, Sports Podiatry Group
Rojoz Wraps
Mr. Edmund Pratt
P&B Textiles
Depot Garage, Mountain View
Trek
Giro
Oakley
Avocet
Ultranectar
GU
Barbara Smith and Bill Phillips
USA Cycling has announced the introduction of local representatives to work with its regional coordinators in organising races and providing other services to members. These local experts will work with regional staff to deliver services to and support the efforts of members and promoters in their communities.Regional coordinators are currently seeking suitable individuals to be local reps.
The regional coordinators will continue to work with race promoters on event scheduling and permitting, and to attend local events to assist race organizers in hosting quality events. Regional coordinators will also serve racers performing category upgrades, offering officials training clinics and providing assistance at the grassroots level.
Jan Luke-Hamasaki will head up the Pacific Area, which includes Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Hawaii and Alaska.
Rogene Killen continues her work in the West Area, including Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas.
George Heagerty is at the helm of the South Area, which is comprised of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee.
Mike Hanley captains the Midwest Area, including Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio.
Judy Miller takes charge of the Northeast Area. States in this area include Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia.
USA Cycling member services and programs will remain under the 10 regions established in 1998: Northwest, Western, Southwest, Mountain, Central, North Central, South Central, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and North Atlantic.
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