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Edited by Jeff Jones
If Risi and Betschart, the "Alpine Tornado", win the Stuttgart six days, it will be their 29th six days victory. This would put them equal with the most successful pair in the history of six days racing, Gustav Kilian and Heinz Vopel, according to Stuttgarter Nachrichen.
German Andreas Kappes broke his collarbone in a crash during the Stuttgart six days, late on Tuesday evening (Day 5). The crash occurred after an irregular change by Llaneras and Slippens. Kappes was taken to the hospital in Bad Cannstadt for an operation on Wednesday. He will be away for at least the next two races in Berlin and Copenhagen, and his six day season is effectively finished.
A survey of 900 Italian tifosi, aged 14 and over, has been conducted by RCS Sport and La Gazzetta dello Sport, organisers of the Giro d'Italia. The survey addressed the phenomenon of doping in cycling and other sports, its seriousness and influence. The results were announced by La Gazzetta director Candido Cannavò and Ennio Mazzei, general manager of RCS Sport, at a press conference on Tuesday in Milan.
A total of 98% of the respondents said that doping exists, although 40% said that it wasn't as serious as it is believed. 56% thought that illegal substances were used to the same degree in all sports, while the remaining 44% thought that doping was only in cycling and soccer.
As for who is responsible, 33% blamed sports doctors, 20% said it was the team sponsors, 13% the riders, 12% the federations, 10% the teams, and 1% said it was the race organisers and sponsors.
Most (92%) of the respondents believed that blood controls should be carried out all season, and only 38% thought that the riders should be more heavily penalised for an offence. Approximately 18% were in favour of shortening the Giro and excluding any team who had one of its riders test positive. 69% thought that the riders have the most to lose by doping.
However, the phenomenon of doping doesn't appear to stop people from enjoying sport. 94% said that the Giro d'Italia was an important national event, and held a great deal of fascination. 81% thought that it did represent the sporting values of sacrifice and hard work.
The first European stage race of the year, Étoile de Bessèges (February 6-10), is in financial difficulties, according to a report in L'Equipe. With just two weeks to go until the race starts, organiser Roland Fangille is trying to come up with the funds to cover the expenses of the gendarmerie.
To ensure the safety of the race, Fangille needs 110 gendarmes per day. However, on February 8 (in Gard) and February 10 (in Correze) there are not enough spare gendarmes. To cover, it means that they have to use some anti-riot police who are based in Tulle (Correze), but this will cost another 15,000 euro.
"We are not able to find this sum today," said Fangille to L'Equipe. "I met Mrs Buffet (French youth and sports minister) on Saturday in Bouillargues to discuss this problem...The presentation of the race will still take place on Thursday.
French cycling races have been put under pressure this year, with Paris-Nice and Midi Libre both experiencing problems.
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It seems that the inaugural Tour of Qatar has generated some interest in cycling in the Arab states. Currently, the only other stage race is the 2.5 category Tour of Saudi Arabia, held between March 20-28, 2002. However, the president of the United Arab Emirates federation is interested in holding a high level stage race, and he has already contacted Tour de France boss Jean-Marie Leblanc about this.
Belgian road and cyclo-cross coaches José De Cauwer and Eric De Vlaeminck will no longer be allowed to commentate on radio or TV during races. According to Belgian teletekst, the ban comes after a discussion about the "emotional involvement" of the coaches in the races.
Stefano Garzelli (Mapei-Quick Step) was awarded this morning by the Italian Prime Minister the Golden Collar for sporting merit. Garzelli won the year 2000 edition of the Giro d'Italia. The Golden Collar, which was presented in the Room of Honours of C.O.N.I at the Foro Italico, represents the highest medal in Italian sport and is only awarded to exceptional athletes that have won races of particular international importance.
Mapei-Quick Step will, on Friday, January 25, present the 40 athletes that make up its two teams for the 2002 season. The presentation will take place at 11.00 am in the auditorium of Mapei S.p.A HQ in Viale Jenner Nr. 4, Milan. Cyclingnews will feature a full report of the event, by European editor Tim Maloney.
26 year old Spanish cyclist Fatima Blazquez has decided to stop as a professional cyclist. The former Michela Fanini and Alfa Lum rider played an important role in Joane Somarriba's various major tour victories. She is taking a job in an insurance company.
During the JCTDU, Telekom mechanic Ken Ilegems ICQed Cyclingnews to ask for a message to be relayed to the Telekom riders in Adelaide. Cyclingnews Tech Ed John Stevenson took the chance to quiz Ken on the mechanical aspects of Telekom life, and the career path into being a pro team mechanic. For the full story click here.
The U.S. Cycling Federation has announced its 2002 National Championship schedule. The championship calendar includes road, track and cyclo-cross events for junior, under-23, elite and masters riders.
The season kicks off with the National Collegiate Cycling Association (NCCA) National Road Cycling Championships May 10-12 in Burlington, Vt. The collegiate championship event will be held in the northeast for the first time since 1993 and promises to be well attended.
The Disabled National Track Cycling Championships will be held June 13-14 at the National Sports Center Velodrome in Blaine, Minn. For the second year running, this event will be kicking off the Great River Energy Bicycle Festival.
The Masters National Road Cycling Championships hits the west coast July 9-14 in Bakersfield, Calif. Large fields of competitors are expected, as California is known as a hotbed for masters riders. The Disabled National Road Cycling Championships are also being held in Bakersfield during the same week.
The Elite National Road Cycling Championships are headed to Nashville, Tenn., July 18 and 20. Kimberly Bruckner picked up the double national championship in the road race and individual time trial at last season's championship event. With the continued growth of the American peloton, she'll have her work cut out for her in defending the titles.
Indianapolis and the Major Taylor Velodrome play host to the Junior National Track Cycling Championships July 24-27. The venue was also the site of the 2001 collegiate nationals.
The Junior/Espoir National Road Cycling Championships will be held Aug. 1-4 in Clemson, S.C. Last year, World Time Trial Champion Danny Pate, Michael Creed and Jon Retseck dueled against a strong under-23 field in preparation for the 2001 World Road Cycling Championships.
The best masters track cyclists will invade the Superdrome in Frisco, Texas for the Masters National Track Cycling Championships, Aug 6-10. The Superdrome is undergoing repairs and will have a new surface in time for the competition.
The USPRO/USCF National Criterium Championships returns to Downers Grove, Ill., Aug. 18, as part of the Sports Grand Prix. The biggest and brightest cyclists will be in town for a shot at the national title on a great course for the 16th year running.
Trexlertown, Pa. and the Lehigh Valley Velodrome welcome the Elite National Track Cycling Championships Aug. 27-31. The country's best track cyclists will be on hand to vie for national titles and bragging rights for another year. The venue also played host to the highly successful 2001 Junior World Track Cycling Championships, where hometown girl Sarah Uhl picked up the first U.S. gold in the women's match sprint in a decade. The Lehigh Valley Velodrome will be hosting the event in 2003 as well.
The NCCA National Track Cycling Championships will be held the weekend of Sept. 19-21 at a site to be determined. The finalized date and location of the 2002 National Cyclo-Cross Championships will be determined in the coming months.
May 10-12: NCCA National Road Cycling Championships, Burlington, Vt.
June 13-14: Disabled National Track Cycling Championships, Blaine, Minn.
July 9-14: Masters National Road Cycling Championships, Bakersfield, Calif.
July 9-14: Disabled National Road Cycling Championships, Bakersfield, Calif.
July 18 & 20: Elite National Road Cycling Championships, Nashville, Tenn.
July 24-27: Junior National Track Cycling Championships, Indianapolis
Aug. 1-4: Junior/Espoir National Road Cycling Championships, Clemson, S.C.
Aug. 6-10: Masters National Track Cycling Championships, Frisco, Texas
Aug. 18: USPRO/USCF National Criterium Championships, Downers Grove, Ill.
Aug. 27-31: Elite National Track Cycling Championships, Trexlertown, Pa.
Sept. 19-21: NCCA National Track Cycling Championships, TBD
TBD: National Cyclo-Cross Championships, TBD
BuckheadVelo (Atlanta GA) has announced its squad for season 2002. Building on last year's Masters squad, this year's acquisition of several talented riders should see a highly competitive team in the Southeastern United States.
The team hopes to win the Southeast series, but will also target other races such as Super Week (WI) and Redlands (CA). Other national caliber events such as Athens Twilight Criterium (GA), WBL (GA) and Michelin Classic (SC) will be on their radar too.
Dan Asbury
Jon Atkins
Curtis Baker
Scott Bass
Rusty Bryson
David Crowe
Scott DeMyer
Dom Desmonts
Gorden Ferris
Greg Fink
Todd Fryburger
Mark Kebbakus
Stephen Lamphier
James Lemken
Dan McCauley
Clay Parks
Chuck Schmidt
Tony Scott
Jason Spruill
Peter Stewart
Mark Trimble
Sponsors
Porterfeild Tire (Athens GA)
BuckheadVelo
The Hub
Cannondale
Rudy Project
Profile
Long distance riders are invited to participate in a grass roots, unsupported 14,200 kilometre bicycle race around Australia. The adventure/race begins in Rockhampton, Qld and follows a route detailed in the website.
Riders are not permitted to have a support vehicle but may use any localized support required along the way. Current record holder, Perry Stone is the only rider to date entered but he welcomes any and all.
People considering this ultimate bicycle odyssey should be capable of riding 250 kilometres a day. Handicapping will be considered. The main focus of this challenge is personal accomplish, as this is an almost unthinkable bike trek. An honour system will be used
Full details available at the website or via email.
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