News for March 3, 2002

Edited by Jeff Jones

Sevilla and Botero lead confident Kelme-Costa Blanca-Canal Nou in 2002

"My objective is the Tour of France, but I still have a lot to learn," said Oscar Sevilla, one of the top men in this year's Kelme-Costa Blanca-Canal Nou team.

The talented young rider from Albacete was best young rider in last year's Tour De France where he finished 7th. He indicated that "I want to ride well in the Tour and to learn the things I have to win. I won't throw away anything and I hope that I will be fit enough to play a good role."

After his runner-up spot in the 2001 Vuelta d'España, El Niño Sevilla also hopes to ascend to the top spot in the Spanish Tour this year. "I'll approach the Vuelta the same way I did last year, with the same preparation (beginning at the Vuelta d'Aragon), through the Tour (de France) and then the Vuelta.

Sevilla is currently in a early season training phase, gradually building his training kilometres and increasing his heart rate so he can start his season early next month.

Together with Colombian Santi Botero, Sevilla is the team leader at Kelme-Costa Blanca-Canal Nou this year. His teammate Jose Enrique Gutiérrez, who will play a key support role for Sevilla and Botero in the two grand tours, said "The main objective is that Botero and Sevilla are the indisputable leaders for the Vuelta and the Tour De France, but I won't hesitate to have a go if the option presents itself", said Gutiérrez.

After undergoing a knee operation after last year's Vuelta, Gutiérrez is back in form and ready for his key support role at Kelme-Costa Blanca-Canal Nou.

"I was very happy with my first Tour because I did well there and I see I can go to the next level. I expect that this year I will go even better", concluded the confident Gutiérrez.

Anti-doping controls for Domo

The Domo-Farm Frites team has been subjected to special anti-doping controls in the wake of the Frank Vandenbroucke affair. The Flemish government ordered the controls, which were carried out at the team's hotel in Waregem on Friday, the day before Omloop Het Volk. Vandenbroucke, who is now an ex-Domo-Farm Frites rider, has already been tested by police when he was questioned on Wednesday and Thursday.

The events of this week did little to help Domo-Farm Frites in the opening race on the Belgian calendar, as none of them finished in the leading 20 riders.

Seven teams tested in Het Volk

Anti-doping controls were also carried out on seven teams on Saturday morning prior to the start of Het Volk in Gent. La Française des Jeux, Landbouwkrediet-Colnago, Ag2R-Prevoyance, Bonjour, Team Coast, Cofidis and Rabobank had to submit to tests.

Women's World Cup Round 1

The first race on the women's calendar this year (after two in Croatia were cancelled) is the Australian round of the World Cup, which will run from Cooma to Thredbo in the Snowy Mountains. A field of 75 riders will take the start for what promises to be a tough uphill slog to Australia's best known alpine village.

Unfortunately, one of the big draw cards for the race, Dutchwoman Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel will not be participating after she cancelled her trip just four hours prior to flying over. The Dutch team directed by Jean-Paul Van Poppel will be led by the talented Mirjam Melchers, who always performs well in Australia.

Strong competition is likely from Saturn (Rossner, Arndt, Bruckner), AIS (Carrigan), Australian National Team (Margaret Hemsley), USA-Cannondale (Mari Holden), and Vlaanderen (Susanne Ljungskog and Hanka Kupfernagel).

The New Zealand team has had a less than ideal preparation however, only getting into Cooma at 10pm last night, less than 12 hours before the race start. Rosalind Reekie-May, Kirsty Robb and Melissa Holt will be the kiwis' main hopes today.

Following the World Cup, the women will back up on Monday for the start of the 5th Tour de Snowy, held over five stages and three days in the spectacular Snowy Mountains. The focus shifts to New Zealand the following Sunday, with the second round of the World Cup in Hamilton.

World Cup preview and course map
Full start list
Tour de Snowy

Solid participation for Clásica de Almería

Sunday's edition of Clásica de Almería will be held over a 174 kilometre parcours with some new and more challenging features. The organisers have moved the start to the locality of Vera (Cuesta Cabuzana de Vera), and the race will finish as normal in Almeria, which is due to host the Mediterranean Games in 2005.

The race includes intermediate sprints at kilometres 26 and 80, as well as three second category climbs: Las Canteras de Macael (km 90), Los Filabres (km 100) and Collado García (km 110). This should serve to break the peloton up over the middle portion, but there is still a chance for the sprinters to catch back on over the final 65 kilometres.

ONCE-Eroski, Kelme-Costa Blanca, Relax-Fuenlabrada, Euskaltel-Euskadi, ibanesto.com, Jazztel-Costa of Almeria will form the Spanish contingent, which will be up against the likes of Rabobank, Saeco, Mercatone Uno, Lotto, Palmans, Phonak, CSC Tiscali, Itera, Nürnberger and Milaneza.

26th Trofeo ZSSDI-Circoli Sportivi Sloveni in Italia

This Sunday also features the Italian-Slovenian road race, Trofeo ZSSDI-Circoli Sportivi Sloveni in Italia. The UCI 1.6 race will start in Trieste with a field of 194 riders (26 teams from 13 countries). Past winners include Fondriest, Figueras, Casartelli, Conte, and Baldato.

Courtesy of Jana Pecar

New rider for Glud & Marstrand-Horsens

Danish third division team Glud & Marstrand-Horsens has signed 18 year old Kasper Klostergaard starting April 1. He is coming across from the team's own mother club, "Horsens Amatør Cykleklub" and he is expected to do well in Danish cycling.

Team manager Søren Vig said that "Kasper is in the first place with us to learn and the pressure on him is minimal. Kasper will start with us on a combined license, so he can start the season in B classe when we ride in Denmark. His first international ride for Glud & Marstrand Horsens will be the French race: Tour de Loire in April."

Revolutions Cycling Club takes wing in Western Pennsylvania

Newly formed for the 2002 cycling season, the RCC/Kwik Fill-Red Apple cycling team will field a 16 man squad that will compete in the Atlantic and Midwest regions, primarily in the 30+ category. The team features a strong and experienced roster which among its combined palmares includes high placings in state and national championship competition; both collegiate and USCF, as well as the Olympic Road Trials. The RCC is an affiliate of America's Cycling Teams (A.C.T.).

Team Roster

Elite
Bailor, Brett
Mock, Jim - Vice President
Prezepierski, Eric

Masters 30+
Baronak, Brett
Brungard, Matt
Cioccio, Chris
Hines, Phil
Lampman, Paul
McCain, Jim
Olosky, Scott
Schneider, Mark
Troyer, Greg - President
Troyer, Matt

Masters 40+
Lang, Brad
Marring, Mike
Ohmer, Dave - Team Director

2002 Sponsors
Kwik Fill/Red Apple Food Mart
Altoona Builders Exchange
American Classic
Findley Lake Sporting Goods
Frontier Bike Shop
The Hite Company
Karen Troyer Interiors
LaFace & McGovern Associates
Lobo Loco Cycling Promotions
Rod Wilt - PA State Representative

Team Kit
Louis Garneau Clothing
Limar Helmets
Rudy Project Eyewear
Northwave Shoes

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