News for April 21, 2002Edited by John Stevenson
Bartoli confident on eve of LBL
Today's 87th edition of the doyenne of the classics, Liège-Bastogne-Liège looks like an Italy versus Belgium showdown if this year's previous Classics are any indicator. But LBL isn't like the other Classics, and the winner needs to be a 'puncheur' with the ability to go hard again and again over the course's ten 'côtes' with no real chance to rest in between. Italian hopes rest with 1997/98 winner Michele Bartoli (Fassa Bortolo) who is keen to complete a triple, and 2000 winner Paolo Bettini (Mapei-Quick Step). Last year's runner-up Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) will be hungry for his first big win of 2002 while Dario Frigo (Tacconi Sport) showed good form in Wednesday's Flèche Wallonne. The Belgian camp has Johan Museeuw (Domo) , of course, as well as Mario Aerts (Lotto-Adecco) and team-mate Peter Van Petegem, looking for revenge after a disappointing Paris-Roubaix. Last year's winner Oscar Camenzind (Phonak) will not be defending his title, as he is taking a break because of over-tiredness. Michele Bartoli is the favourite of the Italian tipsters, and his team manager agrees."He just needs to recover the confidence to ride hard" Bartoli's directeur sportif Giancarlo Ferretti told news agency AFP. "But I believe he has always had the legs to be at the front." Bartoli, who spent Thursday reconnoitring the course of the world championships in Zolder, Belgium, was putting a positive spin on his performance in Flèche Wallonne. "Recently I have ridden defensively too much. In the Flèche I rode at the front, to win," he told Italian newpapers. "I missed a place in the classic, but third is still something." Asked about his defeat by Mario Aerts and Unai Extebarria, Bartoli said, "I was the last to join the escape group and was still in deficit in the finale. When we attacked on the Mur de Huy, I paid for it." Nevertheless, he is confident about LBL "I do not see a dominating rider in the group. There is a level playing field. I have the form and I have the conviction that I can right on equal terms against riders like Michael Boogerd, David Etxebarria, Dario Frigo and Paolo Bettini who head the favourites list." Bartoli also sees as a threat an American not known in recent years as a Classics rider. "Do not forget Armstrong. If Lance has decided to ride here it is because he thinks he can win." Armstrong was second in 1994 and 1996. On the other hand, it could be time for a Classics win by a younger rider. With the first three World Cup rounds won by riders in their mid-30s, LBL looks open to a younger man. Milan-San Remo winner Mario Cipollini and Tour of Flanders winner Andrea Tafi will not be start in Liège, and while Johan Museeuw is committed to defending his World Cup leader jersey, the brutal côtes of LBL may not suit him. 2002 Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Cyclingnews Full preview Don't miss Cyclingnews' Live coverage of the 88th Liège-Bastogne-Liège - starts at 9:45 local time (3:45am USA eastern time, 12:45am USA west, 5:45pm Australian east). When the race is underway, you'll find the live coverage here. Women's World Cup in ValladolidThe GP Feminas Castilla y Leon is the first round of the women's World Cup to be raced in Spain. Serving as the fifth round of the nine race series, the GP Castilla y Leon comes just four days after La Flèche Wallonne in Belgium, won by Italian climber Fabiana Luperini. The 115.5km course is made up of a 35.2km circuit that the riders will cover three times, then a 6km finishing section that ends in a slight rise. Mirjam Melchers (Farm-Frites) currently leads the series on 158 points, just ahead of Petra Rossner (Saturn) on 150. Full
preview NAS seize documents from FCICarabinieri of the NAS (Anti-Drug Squad) of Florence have obtained files from the offices of the Italian Cycling Federation relating to the second round of the investigations into cyclists involved in the San Remo raid in last year's Giro d' Italia. The documentation will supply further info to prosecutor Bocciolini, head of the criminal investigation from last year's Giro d' Italia. Two investigators of NAS have also briefed the antidoping prosecutor of the Italian Olympic Committee about the files obtained by Bocciolini's office, as well as delivering to CONI other files from the investigation on Marco Pantani (his CONI antidoping hearing is scheduled for next wednesday) and other riders who are under investigation by the Florence NAS for Bocciolini's inquest. Ullrich back "at tourist speed"Jan Ullrich is back on the bike, making a slow recovery from the knee problem that has decimated his early-season preparation. "I am currently riding twice a day for two or three hours a time," Ullrich told the German dpa news agency. "The first week I did an average of 27km/h - like a touring rider. But I am now at 31 (km/h)." The first ten days of Ullrich's return to training have been pain free. Ullrich's coach Peter Becker said that working too hard at the team's early season training camp in Mallirca in January was probably the root of Ullrich's problems. "He wanted to do especially well and probably overdid it," he said. Ullrich is now aiming to be fit for the Giro. "The start of the Giro d'Italia on May 11 is my greatest wish," he said, "but time is limited." He may choose instead to ride the Tour of Germany and then the Tour of Switzerland as preparation for the Tour de France. The next decision will be made by a four-man crew: Ullrich himself, team doctor Lothar Heinrich, coach Becker and team maneger Rudy Pevenage. "We will decide at the beginning of May whether there is any point to my riding the Giro," said Ullrich. "I am currently missing 5,000 to 6,000km and the Tour de France is [still] my main goal." Merckx to skip GiroAxel Merckx (Domo) will not ride the Giro d'Italia according to Italian press sources. Jalabert and Moreau carry French hopes in DunkerqueLaurent Jalabert (CSC) and Christophe Moreau (Crédit Agricole) will be among the line-up on May 8 for the 48th edition of the Quatre Jours de Dunkerque (Four Days of Dunkirk) which this year has been reduced from six to five days to comply with UCI regulations, if not the duration implied by the event's name. For the first time since 1997 the race will include the climb of Mont Cassel, a move that the organisers say should help reduce the event's domination by the sprinters. Last year five of the six stages finished in bunch sprints, with Didier Rous taking the overall honours. The third day will see a split stage with a 23km individual time trial in the afternoon. As well as Jalabert and Moreau, the race may see the return of Andei Tchmil, who has been out of action since his fall at the beginning of April, and Paris-Roubaix revelation Tom Boonen. Also likely to start is local hero Cédric Vasseur. Nevertheless, like many French races, the future of the Four Days is in doubt. "The financial balance of our sporting events is fragile," said organiser Gilbert Bodart, pointing out that the lack of a sponsor for the general classification for last three years has resulted in a significant loss of earnings for the event. StagesStage 1 - May 8: Stage Dunkerque - Wasquehal Teams & major ridersBonjour (Rous, Chavanel, Magnien), Cofidis (Farazijn, Planckaert, Gaumont, Vasseur), AG2R (L. Capelle, Agnolutto, Kasputis), Jean Delatour (Brochard, Seigneur), Crédit Agricole (C. Moreau, Brard, Hushovd), Franaise des Jeux (McGee, Casper, Cooke, Durand), Oktos (Nuttli), BigMat (Heulot, C. Capelle), Lotto (Tchmil, Eeckhout), Palmans, Landbouwkrediet, Marlux, Lampre (Dierckxsens, Svorada), Alexia, Mapei (Bodrogi, De Waele, Zanini, Martinez), Bankgiroloterij, CSC (L. Jalabert, Hoffman, Sandstod, Piziks), Fakta (Ljungqvist), US Postal (Boonen, McRae), Navigators (O'Bee). Shay Elliott 2002 launched in BrayBy Tommy Campbell, Irish Independent, Evening Herald, Sunday Independent The Bray Wheelers Cycling Club hosted the launch of the 2002 Shay Elliott Memorial International Race in Duff's Pub in Bray. The location provided the perfect surroundings for the launch with Duff's Pub being famous for its collection of cycling memorabilia including bicycles previously raced by Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche. A large numbers of club members, past winners, leading figures from the cycling world as well as representatives from the Bray UDC, the Gardai and Order of Malta were in attendance for the official launch of this year's race. Club Chairman Brendan O'Leary officially launched the event, which has been upgraded to International Status by the Union Cycliste Internationale and given a ranking of 1.5, which will ensure that the event becomes an important event of the racing programmes of many international teams. Brendan also took the opportunity to thank the organising committee and all those who have been involved in the organisation of the event. The Chief Executive of Cycling Ireland praised the Bray Wheelers for their hard work and dedication to the development of cycling in Ireland. He added Cycling Irelands' four- year development included having a one-day International Race and that the Bray Wheelers were the unanimous choice to host an international race as the Shay Elliott has always been regarded as Ireland's premier one-day race. The Bray Wheelers offered thanks to all of the race sponsors for their generous support of the race: Ultima Oil Distributors, PD Lane and Associates, The Shamrock BAR and Lounge, The Vartry Service Station, Stena Line Ferries, Integral Finance and Technology, Keltec Signs and Print and Duff's Pub. Shay Elliot DetailsThe Shay Elliott is Ireland's premier one-day race and this year's event is the 45th edition of the race, which now carries a UCI ranking of 1.5. The race starts from the Seaside town of Bray and takes the riders on a tough 140km course through the " Garden County" of Wicklow. The route takes in the two climbs of the Old Wicklow Gap and the famous climb of Glenmalure where there is a monument erected by the Bray Wheelers Cycling Club in memory of Shay Elliott. The race finishes in the picturesque village of Roundwood, which is the highest village in Ireland. The race route also covers some of the roads that will be used in the toughest stage of this year FBD Milk Ras including the climb of Glenmalure. The race dates back to before the days of Shay Elliott before he became a household name. The name was changed because of his close links to the Bray Wheelers and because it was Shay who paved the way for other Irish cycling greats such as Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche to achieve greatness in the world of cycling. Past winners of the race include Ciaran Power who is now a professional with Team Navigators in the USA, ex-pro Peter Crinnion and Sean Kelly who won the race twice and is the only rider to win the race as a Junior. When the Tour de France started in Ireland in 1998 stage-two passed through Bray in recognition of Elliott and the Wheelers. Teams that have entered include top Irish teams such as the Cycleways-Lee Strand led by the great man of Irish cycling Phil Cassidy; Usher Irish Road Club with last year's winner Dave Peelo; BH racing with Laurence Roche who is an ex-pro; Carrick Cidona and Mayo Wheelers led by David O'Loughlin who is currently riding for American professional team Ofoto Lombardi Sport. There is also a strong contingent from Northern Ireland including the East Antrim/Audi team and an Apollo CRT squad. There are also teams from the UK including the Compensation Group team of John Tanner, Mark Lovatt and Kevin Dawson and a team from Southdown Velo. There are individual riders from Spain, Holland and Denmark as well as Irish riders based in Europe including past winner Mick O'Donnell who is riding for Velo Sport Quimpers in France. There is also an Isle of Man Commonwealth team containing Andrew Roche, Elliot Baxter and Graeme Hatcher and there will be an Irish National team and a Scottish team as well as a strong home team from the Bray Wheelers Cycling Club. Ritchey goes home for 2002 teamAfter years of sponsoring a successful World Cup cross-country team around Swiss rider Thomas Frischknecht, Ritchey mountain bikes is focusing on the US for its sponsorship efforts this year with a team made up of four pro and four amateur riders. The team will ride the NORBA series and other selected events Ritchey's Marketing Director Jed Spangler developed the idea of an American-based team after the decision to discontinue the world cup team. "Ritchey has always been influential in racing and we wanted to maintain a team presence in the US NORBA scene. The Ritchey Roots team is the head of our grassroots racing program which currently included over 100 sponsored teams." He adds, "We are still very involved with Frischi, Ritchey sponsors his new Swiss Power team and he is critical in our product design and testing process." Although Ritchey is the title sponsor, the team will be using Canadian-made Devinci frames outfitted with Ritchey's components. "Ritchey is a components manufacturer. We still produce handmade steel frames as they are an important part of Ritchey's history. For this team we partnered with Devinci cycles to use their aluminum hardtail and full suspension frames." For more information visit the team website at rr.smartetailing.com Team RidersMelissa Thomas- Pro Team SponsorsRitchey Design, Inc. Vuelta a AntioquiaBy Luis Barbosa The next edition of one of Colombia's most prestigious races, the Vuelta a Antioquia starts Wednesday April 24, with a 93km stage between Medellín and Rionegro. However, this year's race will lack last year's winner Javier Zapata of 05 Orbitel who broke his right arm in the final stage of the Vuelta a Cundinamarca. The main characteristic of this year's event is plenty of climbing, with enough mountains to rank this as one of the most severe of recent editions of the race. The second stage has a mountaintop finish in Jardín, the next day sees a hard climb before the riders arrive in Jericó and Saturday's return to Medellín involves the 38km ascent of the Alto de Minas With Zapata absent, the door is open for the Boyacá Lottery team of Israel Ochoa and Uberlino Mesa who was second last year, losing the lead in the final stage. Directeur sportif Rafael Niño is keen for his team to make its mark after they were inable to take part in the Vuelta a Cundinamarca after an accident. Colombia Selle Italia also has designs on the overall victory with 2000 victor Juan Diego Ramirez and 1999 winner Hernán Darío Muñoz leading the charge. For Colombia Selle Italia, the race will also be their last chance to test their legs before the Giro d'Italia. Despite the lack of Javier Zapata, 05 Orbitel still looks strong, with Jairo Hernandez, Javier González and Argiro Zapata as the riders to watch. StagesStage 1 - April 24: Medellín- Rionegro. 93km |
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