News for March 11, 2002

Edited by Jeff Jones

Baldato and Fassa Bortolo looking good for Milan-San Remo

Fabio Baldato Photo ©: Roberto Bettini

After his double victories in this weekend's Sicilian races (Trofeo Pantalica and Trofeo Arancia Rossa), Fassa Bortolo's Fabio Baldato has certainly found his form in time for Milan San Remo. Baldato finished second in the 2000 event, but looks to be in even better condition this year, with three wins under his belt already.

"Now we have lot of cards to play at Milano-San Remo," said Baldato after Sunday's success. "Two years ago, I was runner-up behind Zabel. This time, we've got Petacchi who is in really great shape, and a Bartoli who will be captain because he deserves to be. We will find the right moment to make (Milano-San Remo) ours."

Baldato warned that "At the Giro dell'Etna the race should also come down to a sprint and I'll try to be ready (to win) again."

Fassa Bortolo team manager Giancarlo Ferretti related the three secrets to a winning team: "Compatible riders, lots of team unity and morale and less bad luck than last year."

The team has had a great start to the year, and looks to be battling it out in the team rankings with Mapei and Lotto for the top division I team.

Olano update

Although he did not have a stellar season in 2001, Abraham Olano (ONCE-Eroski) is not ready to be put out to pasture yet. He managed to finish second overall in the Giro d'Italia, and believes that he has "a lot more to contribute to cycling."

Olano was speaking to Spanish newspaper Marca, where he outlined his preparation and goals for this season. "I am meticulously preparing for this season, where one of my challenges will be the Vuelta España", said the winner of the 1998 Vuelta. "To win is tougher each year, because each time there are also the interests of the team, but I am coming back to try and repeat my dream this year."

Olano has only raced for eight days this year, but is not in a hurry. "I still don't know whether I will participate in the Giro. My first important test will be the Criterium International (March 30-31) and then the Vuelta a Pais Vasco," he said. "If I go to the Giro, then it will be with the aim of doing better that second place."

"The Tour is another story and if I do this then it will be for my other teammates Joseba Beloki or Igor González de Galdeano."

Finally, Olano said that he had put on hold his ambitions for the World Hour Record. "I have not discarded it. I am a good time trialist and I think I can improve the mark, although at the moment it is not a high priority."

Biagio Conte in hospital

Saeco's Biagio Conte has been taken to hospital following a fall in the Trofeo Arancia Rossa (formerly the Giro di Siracusa). Conte fell heavily in the wet conditions, and suffered cranial trauma.

Gilmore may ride more World Cups

Rochelle Gilmore Photo ©:Tom Balks

Australian cyclist Rochelle Gilmore is currently second in the women's World Cup standings, after recording another second place behind Petra Rossner in Sunday's round Hamilton. The Australian Institute of Sport rider supposedly concentrating on the track this year, with the Commonwealth Games a big objective. However, she is now 38 points clear of third place in the World Cup and is seriously considering trying to defend that position.

"I have increased the gap between myself and the third placed rider on the World Cup rankings," said Gilmore. "I would like to discuss with the AIS the option of riding more World Cups this year. I believe I could finish in the top 3 overall this year if I was to race an extra couple of World Cup races. The plan at present is to return to Australia to ride the Track Nationals, Track and Road Oceania’s and the Sydney Track World Cup before heading to Europe for the rest of the year."

Round 3 of the World Cup is in Italy on the March 23 and the round 4 is in Belgium on April 17, followed by Spain on the April 21.

Extra wildcard for Tour de France 2002

The Société du Tour announced that this year there will be an extra wild card is available for the Tour de France. That means 22 teams of 9 riders, and permission has already been given by the UCI. In the first 16 automatically qualified teams, there is only one French squad (Cofidis). With an extra wildcard the organisation can increase the French participation. Among foreign teams such as Saeco, Team Coast and Mercatone Uno, there are six French candidates: AG2R, BigMat, Bonjour, Crédit Agricole, Jean Delatour and La Française des Jeux.

35 riders tested before P-N prologue

A total of 35 anti-doping controls were carried out in the morning prior to the start of the Paris-Nice prologue in Issy-Les-Moulineaux. The teams of ONCE, Domo-Farm Frites, Phonak, Jean Delatour, Mapei, Team Coast and Kelme were all tested between 7:15 and 9:15 am, with no-one declared unfit to start.

In 1997, the Paris-Nice race was the first where hematocrit testing was introduced. At that time, three riders were over the limit.

Cornelissen too high

Björn Cornelissen (Axa/VvZ) became only the second Dutch rider since blood testing was introduced to record a hematocrit level above the 50% limit. He was prevented from starting in the Guldensporentweedaagse, won by his compatriot Erik Dekker (who was actually the first Dutch rider to go over the limit at the 1998 World's in Verona).

The management of Cornelissen's team is still behind their rider because they don't believe Cornelissen used forbidden products. "He had a blood test last week and then his level was OK. But he had a course of antibiotics because he was sick and that could be the reason for this level," said a team spokesman.

Orbitel out of Division II

The UCI has excluded the Colombian 05-Orbitel team from being a part of second division of trade teams. The decision was made after the team could not meet the budgetary requirements for a TT II set down by the UCI.

According to the team, this has created a lot of unhappiness in Colombian cycling, as the team wished to compete in some of the major races on the European calendar. Team spokesman Raul Mesa told Cyclingnews that "An error has been committed on the part of the UCI by not making an exception with our team, since Colombia is a country with a difficult economic situation and a lot of effort and sacrifice is put into the sport of cycling. In this case, we hope that the UCI and the Professional Cycling Council will reconsider our options."

Pearl Izumi sponsors Mike Barry

Pearl Izumi has announced that it will be sponsoring US Postal rider Michael Barry this year. The sponsorship will be in the footwear department, with Barry to ride and race in the new Vaper Road shoe.

Barry started racing in 1996 with the amateur French club team Velo Club Annemasse. In 1998 he signed on with Saturn and spent four years building up his resume. In 2001, his results included fourth in the Saturn Cycling Classic, fourth in the Peace Race, and second in the San Francisco Grand Prix. The US Postal squad signed him at the end of the 2001 season, after his second place finish to George Hincapie at the San Francisco Grand Prix.

Industry Veteran needs help

Friends of Kelli Turcotte, UCI Technical Delegate, former employee of Castelli, GaleForce and the Alt Bike and Board in Minneapolis are gathering items for auction and donations to help pay for costly cancer treatment therapy that Kelli's insurance does not cover.

Turcotte has been fighting ovarian cancer which has now spread to her liver, lungs and lymph nodes. The type of chemotherapy recommended by her doctor is not covered by her insurance carrier. As she is not well enough to work, she has incurred over $17,000 in medical bills.

Donations of any kind are being requested for Cash, an E-Bay Auction and a separate raffle to be held during the Sea Otter Race (March 21-24). The E-Bay Auction will begin on Tuesday March 26th.

Please send checks or money orders to Kelli Turcotte; 3631 Lyndale Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55409

For donated memorabilia (signed jerseys, a day ride with a pro rider, etc...) or product contributions, send an e-mail description of the items (and a digital photo and retail value if known) by March 13th to Malcolm Fearon at blissimages@compuserve.com. You will then be notified whether to ship the product to be raffled at the Sea Otter or to ship it to the winners of the auction.

Feel free to send an e-mail to Kelli at turc0018@tc.umn.edu to wish her well in her recovery from cancer.

Team Peggy 2002

Founded in 1998, Team Peggy-Rock City looks forward to its fourth year in women's mountain biking in the Southeastern US. All of the riders from last year will be returning, and some new faces have been added. Team Peggy will focus on the NORBA National races and several series in the Southeastern US including TBRA, GAP, and Cane Creek. Several members will also take on the Category 4 Southeastern Women's Road Race Series, track racing at the Dick Lane Velodrome in Atlanta, and cyclocross.

Kym Flynn returns to lead the team as second year pro. Kym turned pro last spring and competed at all of the NORBA National races. Ellen Carroll from Atlanta, GA rounds out the professional squad.

Linell Wright comes into this race season as the Tennessee State Expert Women's Champion. Vanessa Ford, a first year Peggy, brings the Tennessee State Master Women's Championship jersey with her. Finishing in the Top 10 in the NORBA Senior Sport Division, Trish Albert will continue racing in that division while turning some of her attention to track racing. Amy Foster will be leading the Category 4 Women's Road Team.

In addition to racing at events throughout the country, the ladies of Team Peggy will be volunteering at bike rodeos, in schools, and trail maintenance days. Team Peggy has also formed a partnership with the Lula Lake Land Trust to preserve one of Georgia and Tennessee's areas of natural beauty.

Team roster

Pro
Kym Flynn, Chattanooga, TN
Ellen Carroll, Atlanta, GA

Expert
Linell Wright, Chattanooga, TN
Anne Najaar, Signal Mountain, TN
Vanessa Ford, Nashville, TN

Sport
Trish Albert, Roswell, GA
Rachel Park, Chattanooga, TN
Kristy Ruff, Smyrna, GA
Stephanie Hopka, Chattanooga, TN
Ilsa Schiefelbein, Las Vegas, NV
Heather Yamada, Chattanooga, TN

Beginner
Kristin Brantley, Chattanooga, TN
Elizabeth Alt, Beginner, Chattanooga, TN

Road
Joni Sharp, Cat. III, Signal Mountain, TN
Mary Decosimo Aho, Cat. III, Signal Mountain, TN
Amy Foster, Cat. IV, Chattanooga, TN
Karen Rogers, Cat. IV, Chattanooga, TN

Downhill
Rebekah Venable, Chattanooga, TN
Petty Smith, Chattanooga, TN

Manager: Kym Flynn

Sponsors
Rock City
Suck Creek Cycle
Advanced Pain Care
Dupont Corian Solid
Surfaces

Equipment
Bikes: Suck Creek-Sano
Stems and Seatposts: Thomson
Lube: Prolink
Sunglasses: Rudy Project
Shoes: Gaerne
Clothing: Canari

Team Manager: Kym Flynn
Publicist: Trish Albert
Chef: Jeff "Starfish" Strickland
Mechanic: Mike Skiles
Medical: Advanced Pain Care, Dr. Michael Najaar
Website: http://www.sadlebred.com/peggy.html
Contact E-mail: xcgirl@vol.com

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