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Edited by Paul Goldsmith
The UCI has released its confirmed list of TTII (Division-2) for the 2002 racing season. The list contains only 12 of the estimated 35-45 teams that typically meet the requirements of the UCI, to be registered as TTII.
It appears that many teams have yet to fulfil the regulatory requirements and paperwork, and thus have been temporarily omitted. The UCI requires TTI and TTII (International) teams to meet an extremely high level of accountability, operational responsibility, medical coverage and an audit by an external organization, currently Ernst & Young.
Of the teams to initially miss out the Navigators Cycling Team has been in communication with the UCI and has been given a "conditional registration" due to the absence of the written confirmation of two non-financial requirements.
A statement put out by Navigators, diplomatically challenges the amount of red-tape needed to qualify as a trade team, however given previous team collapses the UCI's stance appears to be justified.
"As has been the standard for the past eight years, the Navigators Cycling Team expects to be fully compliant as a TTII for their ninth racing season. Although the requirements, regulations, oversight and the amount of paperwork necessary to complete the team registration process has been increasing exponentially over the past few years, we fully support the UCI and their mission to protect the athletes, teams and sponsors of professional cycling. Although no process is perfect, we believe that great strides are being taken by the UCI to ensure that cycling remains at the forefront of international sports marketing opportunities. As one of North America's premier programs, The Navigators Cycling Team accepts its responsibilities as a member of the global cycling community, as well as the U.S. domestic community," stated Ray Cipollini, the team's Business Manager.
"Meeting all of the requirements of TTII is certainly a burden on the team, but it gives us, our athletes and our sponsors a certain level of credibility and confidence within and outside of the cycling community", he added.
Confirmed TTII
Landbouwkrediet - Colnago (Bel)
Palmans - Collstrop (Bel)
Vlaanderen - T Interim (Bel)
Wüstenrot - Zvvz (Cze)
Relax - Fuenlabrada (Spa)
Team Nürnberger Versicherung (Ger)
Team Colpack - Astro (Ita)
Bankgiroloterij-Batavus (Ned)
Amore & Vita Beretta (Pol)
Cantanhede - Marques De Marialva (Por)
Carvalhelhos - Boavista (Por)
Itera (Rus)
On another front with Navigators, the team will begin the 2002 racing program at the McLane G.P. in Merced, California on March 2nd, following a training camp in Phoenix, Arizona February 13-24.
Long distance riders and other Crocodile Dundee types, are fully catered for in a super-long distance race in Australia. However it is the only catering that you are likely to encounter along the way.
Beginning June 1, 2002, the 14200 kilometre, unsupported, race sets of from Rockhampton, Queensland and follows counter-clockwise around Australia. For the uninitiated, unsupported means, unsupported. Riders must carry everything they need for trip, including food, or purchase supplies along the way.
The official website contains all the information prospective racers will need, and a little perhaps that they wish they didn't. "But all is not pretty. Very real dangers exist. Death can occur. I repeat a rider can be killed or horribly injured either by the negligence of traffic or their own doing as sleep depravation alters one's reality. In both my previous races I suffered from very real hallucinations, hallucinations of the nature I have never before thought conceivable. But there they were in front of me, centre stage in the theatre of my mind. I saw burning houses, I saw people in the woods, I saw imaginary support teams, I read traffic signs and then proceeded in the wrong direction my mind altering left with right.
Other dangers exist as well, lethal snakes, which if you are unfortunate to be bitten by one while isolated your chances of survival will depend on a miracle. The same goes for some of the Australian spiders. Other wildlife will pose problems, kangaroos and emus are widely known to run directing in front of you or even into you, more out of stupidity than maliciousness.
Death can also occur from dehydration or being run over while you sleep on the side of the road. These facts are not posted here to alarm you or to intrigue you. They are posted here to inform you, they are very, very real," says the website.
For further information, and entry details see www.bikestories.com
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