Second Edition News for April 23, 2002

Edited by Jeff Jones

Bäckstedt forever young

By Tomas Nilsson, cyclingnews.com correspondent

EDS-fakta's Magnus Bäckstedt, age 27, will ride for the Swedish National Junior Team in the national stage race Cykeltouren (The Cycling Tour) May 28-June 2.

"We actually had a deal to get a whole team from EDS-fakta but weren't sure whether that was allowed in a class 12 race like ours," said organiser Stig Thybelius (Örebro County Cycling Federation) to cyclingnews.com. "And maybe it wouldn't had been fair. Nationally Magnus' rides for Kopparbergs CK that belongs to our federation, and this will be a fine opportunity to get some extra attention to the race and of course the juniors will learn a few tricks of the trade."

Teams from Wales, Norway, Finland and Denmark will also participate in the event as well as Swedish clubs and regional selections. Thybelius hopes to be able to get more foreign teams as well.

Top UCI official for FBD Milk Ras

By Tommy Campbell, Irish Independent, Evening Herald, Sunday Independent

The Union Cycliste Internationale has appointed one of its top international commissaires, Barry Broadbent, to preside at this year’s FBD Milk Ras which starts on Sunday 19th May.

An international level commissaire for the past eleven years, Broadbent's experience has already seen him officiate at the Giro d'Italia. The FBD Milk Rás will be Broadbent's sixth appointment as Commissaire President in a national tour, although he considers the Paralympic Games in both Atlanta and Sydney as the highlights of his career.

A frequent visitor to Ireland, Broadbent is looking forward to the task ahead. "I have made many friends and associates through Irish cycling and am very honoured to be chosen as Commissaire President on this 50th edition of such a prestigious event as the FBD Milk Ras." he said.

A member of the Manchester Velo cycling team, and a former insurance broker, Broadbent is also due to work on the three week Vuelta a Espana in September this year.

The technical aspect of major cycle races is supervised by the race College of Commissaires, or in other sports, referees. The College is under the direction of the UCI appointed official who acts as President of the College.

This year’s FBD Milk Ras will see almost 200 of the world's top cyclists take on Ireland's elite over eight days, beginning on Sunday May 19th. With stage end finishes in towns such as Ballinamore, Nenagh, Killorglin, Castletownbere, Middleton, Arklow, Baltinglass and Dublin the riders from ten different countries will have covered 1,182 kilometres including 25 major mountain climbs in pursuit of the final yellow jersey of 2002. The great spectacle will finish with a short circuit race in the Phoenix Park on Sunday 26th May.

McCarthy to lead charity cycle

By Shane Stokes, Irishcycling.com

Mick McCarty Photo: © Shane Stokes

Republic of Ireland soccer manager Mick McCarthy is taking a brief break from preparations for the World Cup to lead a different type of team on a 100k charity cycle around Dublin on Sunday May 5th.

McCarthy will head a group of 300 cyclists who are aiming to raise money for three children's hospitals - The Children's Medical and Research foundation (connected to The Children's hospital in Crumlin), Temple Street Children's hospital and St. Bernadette's Children's Unit in Galway's University College Hospital - with the goal that each rider will aim to secure 1000 euro in sponsorship.

The route for the cycle takes the riders from the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham out to Malahide, before heading back along the coast road and through Sandymount and Blackrock to Bray. The cyclists will then head back North towards Dublin city to the finish at the Royal Hospital.

The fundraising cycle is being publicised by the Evening Herald, Today FM and TV3. Riders who succeed in raising 1000 euro will be entered into a draw to win tickets to the World Cup. Entry forms and further information - including fundraising advice - can be obtained by ringing the freephone number 1800 507 508.

Graham McVilly killed in horse riding accident

Former Australian national road champion Graham McVilly has died in a horse riding accident. The 52 year old Tasmanian was taking part in an equestrian event at Huntingfield near Hobart on Sunday when the accident occurred.

During his career, McVilly won two national road championships and three Herald Sun Tours, as well as the Latrobe Wheel. He was honoured at last year's 50th Sun Tour as one of three 'legends of the tour'.

After his retirement from cycling, he became more interested in horse riding, but maintained an active involvement in cycling, helping to organise the Hobart carnival.

17th Tour of Azerbaijan

The 17th Tour of Azerbaijan in Iran takes place from May 23-31, shortly after the Asian Cycling Championships in Thailand (May 10-20). Riders from 30 countries and 15 teams will take part in the event, competing for approximately US$15,000 in prize money.

The race was first held in 1986, and runs from the East to the West of the country. It is classed as a UCI 2.5 stage race.

Chevy Trucks returns as NORBA sponsor

Chevy Trucks will continue as title sponsor of the National Off Road Bicycle Association's National Championship Mountain Bike Series, which starts May 9 at Snow Summit, California.

The five race series opens May 9-12 at Snow Summit and moves to a new venue, Alpine Valley Resort in Troy, Wisconsin, June 13-16. The series then goes to Snowshoe, West Virginia, June 20-23; Durango, Colorado, August 1-4; and finishes at Mount Snow, Vermont, August 15-18.

Canberra Tour still on

The Category 1 Canberra Tour has successfully negotiated its way through the liability insurance issues currently facing the sport in Australia and will definitely go ahead from this Friday April 26th to Sunday 28th April, announced the organisers.

The traditional National Series opener, renowned for its testing and competitive courses throughout the Canberra area, in Eastern Australia, hosts over 400 cyclists each year, most participants travelling from interstate to compete.

2002 marks the 20th anniversary for the event, a highlight for elite level riders who race the national series, and a total of seven categories from Junior to Masters participants. Late entries are available up to the start.

Information is available via the Canberra Cycling Club's website.

40th Snowy Wilson Memorial Criterium

Sunday May 5 will see the 40th Snowy Wilson Memorial Criterium held at Heffron Park in Maroubra, Sydney. The race is dedicated to the memory of A.E. Wilson who joined the Randwick Botany Cycling Club in 1917. Snowy was a member of the club for much of his lifetime and was the longest serving Secretary of the club holding that office for 30 years.

Over 100 men and women riders from all over NSW and the ACT have pre-registered to compete for over $2,500 in prizes in six races around the tight 2km Heffron Park circuit. The racing starts at 8.30am. and late registrations will be accepted on the day from affiliated riders.