News for August 23, 2002

Edited by Jeff Jones

World Junior Track - Day 2 highlights

Italian shines, Australian surprises, and Russians unravel

By Karen Forman in Melbourne

Ahmed Lopez
Photo: © Tom Balks

Italy, Australia and the Netherlands collected the three gold medals on offer on an action-packed second day of the 2002 World Junior Track Championships at Melbourne's Vodafone Arena on Thursday. The day's racing saw an emerging talent from Italy cement her claim as one of the stars of the event, while the men's kilo had a surprise winner and the powerful Russian team was dogged by equipment failures.

Italy's Elisa Frisoni took out the gold in the women's 500m time trial, to add to her victory in the keirin the previous day. The Italian teenager was first to start in the race against the clock and then faced an agonising wait as the other riders tried their best to improve on her time. French rider Emilie Jeannot and German Jenni Stohschneider came close, but could only manage silver and bronze, respectively.

The men's kilo was eagerly anticipated, as it would be first time that Cuban speedster Ahmed Lopez would race in Australia. Fresh from his victory in round 5 of the Track World Cup in China recently, where he defeated all the senior men, expectation was high. But the rider who took the gold was another Australian, Wade Cosgrove from Queensland, making amends for his disappointing performance in the keirin the previous day.

Francois Pervis (France) took another silver for France, while Lopez was third. It's worth mentioning that less than three-tenths of a second separated the top three. Afterwards, Cosgrove told Cyclingnews, "I dunno what it was," he said of his surprise performance. "Might have been the atmosphere. I could hear everyone screaming and I thought about it and thought, 'that's it', and I went."

The final event of the day was the men's 10km scratch race, won by Holland's Wim Stroetinga, followed by Sebastian Frey (Germany) and Alex Rasmussen (Denmark). The Dutch rider, who already has 10 national titles to his credit, said afterwards, "I thought that I could win, but I wasn't sure. Now I have the team sprint, the team pursuit and the madison - I am best in the madison - so maybe there will be two gold medals."

Earlier in the day, qualifying was run in the team pursuit and women's 2km individual pursuit. The Australians qualified fastest in the team pursuit, followed by Germany and Russia. The Russian lads' effort was particularly worthwhile, given that Serguei Ulakov completed the gruelling event without a saddle. He started with a complete bike, but this crucial part for rider stability fell off during the race.

The team had just gotten into its formation when the young Russian's seat appeared to break and went flying through the air to land on the track. Pounding the pedals out of the saddle, Ulakov was oblivious to his loss at first, leaving the audience wondering just what would happen when he attempted to sit down.

However, some sixth sense obviously kicked in, because realise he did (before any serious damage was done) and he withdrew from the event straight away, leaving his three team mates to continue their charge without him.

Amazingly, they finished third with 1.07.461.

A dissapointed Chulkova
Photo: © Tom Balks

That wasn't the only mechanical problem for the Russians, as later that day Anastasia Chulkova pulled her foot out of her pedal at the start of her one and only ride in the 500m TT, but she continued on to score a slow 46.83. Commissaires later decided to allow her another start in last position, but misfortune struck again on that second attempt and despite double straps and an extra five minutes on the line spent tightening them, her foot came loose again.

The evening session began with the presentation of medals from the previous night's racing and continued with the first round of the women's individual pursuit, after qualifying heats during the afternoon session. The crowd was of similar size to the first night's 700.

Like the men, the women recorded some very swift times. The fastest four go to Friday night's final.

In the first heat, Australian Belinda Goss met German Louise Keller but they weren't off to the smoothest of starts . . . the German girl became stuck in the starter.

Keller was restarted and while Goss appeared to have a slight edge, riding very smoothly through the early part of the race, the pair were very closely matched. The German rider just pipped Goss on the line in 2.34.949 compared to 2.35.268 for Goss.

In the second heat, Chinese Fu Shimei met Dutch rider Miranda Vierling. The Chinese rider maintained a quick tempo throughout and both girls rode smoothly. However the win went to Vierling in 2.32.490 compared to the Chinese woman's 2.33.770.

The third heat pitted the sole Australian to make it through qualifying, Alexis Rhodes, against Mexican Monica Huerta. Rhodes' qualifying time had been quicker than the previous two heats and the Australian officials placed a lot of hope on her back.

She started with an eye on the clock and set off on a very swift journey, taking the upper hand very early on, with Australian coaches John Beasley and Gary Sutton encouraging from the side line. Rhodes won in 2.31.800 - the quickest so far. Huerta recorded 2.35.323.

The final heat featured the fastest rider of the series (2.29.975) German Julia Kurtzke, against the eighth fastest rider (2.40.288) Taiwanese Mei-Yu Hsiao. It wasn't the most competitive of events with the German vastly out-matching the less experienced Taiwanese, who was unfortunately not using aerodynamic handlebars.

Kurtzke lapped Hsiao on the third lap, but to her credit, the Taiwanese girl struggled on, keeping up a steady pace. Kurtzke powered on two disc wheels to record the fastest time of 2.29.342, improving again on her qualifying time earlier in the day. Hsiao finished in 2.51.873.

Events on day three include the men's team sprint and team pursuit final, as well as the first heats of the sprint, while the women sprinters will also commence their heats and then later that night, it's the turn of the endurance specialists in the 20km points race.

Tired but relaxed Zabel can still produce the goods

Erik Zabel's time in the Ronde van Nederland leader's jersey is now at an end, but the German sprinter enjoyed two days in it after his win in Stage 1. This is despite his own admission that he was "tired" following the Tour de France and nine post-Tour criteriums. Contrast that to his biggest Tour de France rival Robbie McEwen, who won the green jersey, raced 14 criteriums, but stopped in Stage 1 of the RVN claiming a thigh injury. Different styles of recovery for the two top sprinters.

"That's why I'm so happy to ride abroad," said Zabel in a recent interview with Het Nieuwsblad. "Less stress, less nagging when you lose. If you don't go full blast every race, you can keep racing all year. McEwen has ridden 14 crits now, I stopped at 9. It is very tiring to ride those crits; especially in Germany where the press is ready to shoot you when you don't win every time."

"That's why I felt like riding the Tour of Holland; just to catch my breath. I'm not that fresh, I agree, but this way, I get the chance to freshen up the head. I will ride another race in Nürnberg after this, but then I'm going for a two-week training camp in Mallorca. The Vuelta will then help me get ready for Zolder. Nice short stages, no German press who wait for me after the race; go into the sprint now and again: a siesta really!"

Last year, Zabel won four stages in the Vuelta and confirmed his status as the world's number one rider. It's hard to believe that he just keeps on going - Mr Perpetual Motion of cycling [with apologies to Parramatta fans]. He even races a few Six Days after the road season finishes.

"I'm not dreaming out loud of winning the World's," he added. "I don't like to put myself under pressure. One thing is certain: on that parcours everybody will get a chance at winning. Sprinters, rouleurs, yes even a climber. Last year Virenque won Paris-Tours, didn't he? That classic can hardly be classified as mountainous. It promises to be interesting. I think Zolder might be the nicest race of the year."

Meanwhile, Robbie McEwen was criticised heavily by the press for stopping at the first feed zone on Tuesday. McEwen claimed the crash in the Hamburg is still taking its toll because of a painful left thigh; the press is doubtful as he still was riding crits just before starting the Ronde van Nederland.

"What do you want?," grinned McEwen. "I would be crazy not to cash in on that Green Jersey. The love for the bike has gotten less lately. I'm going to put that thing on the side for a while. Paris-Tours is a race I still have ambitions for, and the World's."

Ullrich wants to stay with Telekom

Jan Ullrich says that he would like to make his comeback to racing with the only professional team that he has known, Deutsche Telekom. In an interview with German ARD TV (to be aired on Saturday), Ullrich said that "I would gladly start my comeback in team Telekom."

Ullrich is currently serving a suspension for testing positive to amphetamines after a visit to a night club in June. He will be allowed to race again in March 2003, provided he is fully recovered from his injured knee, that has destroyed his season and has threatened to destroy his career as a cyclist.

"If I were a sporting leader or a sponsor of a team, I would trust Jan Ullrich 100 percent," he added in the interview. "If I continue the way I did for the last two years, I would never win the Tour de France again.

VDB wins two battles

Frank Vandenbroucke was successful both on and off the bike yesterday. In a professional kermesse in Erpe-Mere, he recorded his first win since a the 1999 Vuelta España when he won a stage. Vandenbroucke was part of the 14 man leading group that escaped in the early stages, and despite being outnumbered by 7 Collstrop riders to 3 Domos, he managed to attack in the final lap to win.

Perhaps he was inspired by the decision of the Belgian Cycling Federation (KBWB) to drop the case against him in regard to his doping suspension in Flanders. The KBWB wanted the ban - which runs from September 1, 2002 to February 28, 2003 - to apply to the whole of Belgium, and not just the Flemish part. Not surprisingly, the separate Flemish and Wallonian governing bodies couldn't agree, and VDB's ban will apply to Flanders only. It means that he will miss the World's in Zolder, but he'll be able to ride the first race on the Belgian calendar, Omloop Het Volk, next year.

Paolo Bettini to lead Quick Step

According to Belgian and Dutch sources, it's more than likely that Paolo Bettini will be riding for Patrick Lefevere's Quick Step team next year. Last Monday, the new World Cup leader had a chat with Lefevere, and both parties are reportedly "not far from an agreement."

Lefevere also wanted Oscar Freire, but the Spaniard has chosen CSC-Tiscali.

Nardello still looking

2001 Italian champion Daniele Nardello (Mapei-Quick Step) won his first race in 14 months today, the 84th Coppa Bernocchi. A just reward for the tireless worker, who has been racing since January, never far from the top. However, with the cessation of Mapei next year as a sponsor, Nardello is still looking for a contract. After his win today, he told La Gazzetta dello Sport that "I've received four good offers, two from US Postal and two from Cofidis, but I still don't have a contract for 2003."

"I hope to come to an agreement either this week or the next, and I hope that Bernocchi will help me. To win here is not the same as winning a stage of the Tour, but it counts for a lot after a full season."

Van Bondt and Vansevenant negotiating with Lotto-Adecco

It seems likely that Peter Van Petegem will be reunited with his friends Geert Van Bondt and Wim Vansevenant next year in Lotto-Domo. The pair are currently negotiating with Lotto's sports manager Marc Sergeant. So far, the talks have been positive but nothing is signed yet.

Demeulenaere has a job for Tchmil

Belgian cycling "mecenas" Noel Demeulenaere has offered Andre Tchmil a job. Although Demeulenaere was not specific, the job would allow for a combination of sporting and business interests.

GP Ouest France preview

By Chris Henry, Cyclingnews.com correspondent in Paris

One of the more popular races of the second half of the cycling season, the GP Ouest France, returns Sunday, August 25 to the roads of Western France. Attracting an estimated 200,000 spectators, the race takes place in the heart of cycling-mad Bretagne. Prize money for the men's race totals 21,483 Euro.

Twenty one teams will tackle 198km and 14 laps of the challenging circuit. In addition to hosting the World Championships in 2000, the Plouay circuit also provided the finish for stage 8 of this year's Tour de France, won on July 14th by Rabobank's Karsten Kroon.

Heading the list of race favorites for this year's GP Ouest France is a highly motivated Laurent Jalabert (CSC-Tiscali), winner of the recent Classica San Sebastian and Coppa Agostoni races, not to mention the polka dot jersey in the Tour de France. In his final season as a professional, Jalabert is undeniably on a roll, and has the form necessary to win on the tough Plouay course.

The race will also feature, among a host of talented contenders, defending champion Nico Mattan (Cofidis), Domo's Richard Virenque, Jalabert's CSC-Tiscali teammate and Tour of Denmark winner Jakob Piil, Lotto's Mario Aerts and Peter Van Petegem, Jean Delatour's Laurent Brochard and Patrice Halgand, Saeco's Igor Astarloa, and current World Cup leader Paolo Bettini of Mapei.

This year's events in Plouay span three days, with a cyclotourists ride on Friday, an amateurs race on Saturday morning, the seventh round of the women's World Cup on Saturday afternoon (see preview below) and the GP Ouest France on Sunday.

Starting teams:

Cofidis, Rabobank, Mapei-Quick Step, Lotto-Adecco, Team CSC Tiscali, Domo Farm-frites, Saeco - Longoni Sport, Crédit Agricole, AG2R Prévoyance, Jean Delatour , Bonjour, FDJeux.com, Bigmat Auber 93, Euskatel-Euskadi, Phonak Hearing Systems, St Quentin Oktos, Alessio, Landbouwkrediet-Colnago, Team Coast, Colpack-Astro and Palmans-Collstrop.

Women's World Cup Round 7: Plouay Grand Prix

By Chris Henry, Cyclingnews correspondent

The seventh round of the women's World Cup will take place August 24 in Plouay, in the Bretagne region of Western France. The famed Plouay circuit played host to the 2000 World Championships, and is also home to the annual GP Ouest-France men's race, held the day after this year's women's event.

The 113km race begins at 14:45 local time, and will cover 8 laps of the 14km (approx.) circuit.

Defending Plouay and World Cup champion Anna Millward of the American Saturn team, forced to withdraw from the Grande Boucle Féminine due to a persistent leg injury, will not be racing in Plouay.

Dutch rider Mirjam Melchers (Farm Frites-Hartol) currently leads the World Cup standings with 223 points, followed by Petra Rossner (Saturn) with 209 points.

Fifteen teams are confirmed as starters in Plouay include: Vlaanderen T-Interim, Saturn Cycling Team, CA Mantes La Ville 78, Power-Plate Bike BIK, Edilsavino, USA T-Mobile, Team Farm Frites-Hartol, Itera Team, Team Aliverti-Kookaï IMM.LUCA, Bretagne regional team, SC Michela Fanini Record Rox, French National Team, Australian National Team, Swiss National Team and the British National Team.

Saeco for Plouay and Veneto

The Saeco-Longoni Sport team will be in action in Italy, France and Germany this weekend. Danilo Di Luca and Gilberto Simoni will take part in the Giro del Veneto on Saturday in the northeast of Italy. They will lead the team that also includes Alessandro Spezialetti, Biagio Conte, Damiano Cunego, Alessio Galletti and Cristian Pepoli.

On Sunday another team will take part in the GP Plouay in northwest France on the circuit which hosted the 2000 World Championships. Directeur sportif Guido Bontempi will have a competitive team at his disposal with Igor Astarloa, Mirko Celestino and Italian national champion Salvatore Commesso, plus support from Fabio Sacchi, Gerrit Glomser, Marius Sabaliauskas, Nicola Gavazzi and Oscar Mason.

A third team under the guidance of Giuseppe Martinelli will also be in action on Sunday in the GP Schwarzwald in Germany. The team will include Leonardo Bertagnolli plus Germans Joerg Ludewig, Torsten Nitsche and Christian Wegmann, plus Igor Pugaci and Justin Spinelli.

Phonak for Plouay

The Phonak team has been selected for this Sunday's GP Ouest France in Plouay. Roger Beuchat, who knows the circuit Jean Yves Perron quite well from his long breakaway in the 2000 World's, will ride in Phonak's team, along with Swiss champion Alexandre Moos. The complete line up is:

Roger Beuchat, Matthias Buxhofer, Christian Charriere, David Derepas, Martin Elmiger, Fabrice Gougot, Alexandre Moos, Benoît Salmon. DS: Jacques Michaud

Farm Frites-Hartol for Plouay

Team leader Michael Zijlaard has selected the Farm Frites-Hartol team for this Saturday's World Cup race in Plouay. World Cup leader Mirjam Melchers will make her return to racing on Saturday, despite still being in pain from three bruised ribs. She fell during the Grande Boucle Fémenine and has not raced since, but she is determined to defend her World Cup lead.

The rest of the team is quite strong, consisting of Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel, Kirsty Nicole Robb, Arenda Grimberg, and Madeleine Lindberg. If Melchers isn't 100% fit, then one of the others may well try and win to prevent the opposition from gaining too many points.

The Plouay World Cup clashes with the GP van Boekel (held in Boekel where Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel grew up), meaning that only two Farm Frites-Hartol riders will race there: Sissy van Alebeek and Anouska van der Zee. Other members of the team, Elsbeth Vink and Sonja Pfister-Van Kuik are recovering from injury.

The team's sister squad Ton van Bemmelen Sports-Novilon will start with a full line up in the GP Boekel: Soraya Bartels, Catharina Mulders, Olga van Velzen, Daphny van den Brand, Wendie Kramp and two time winner Sandra Missbach.

Team Farm Frites-Hartol for Plouay: Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel, Mirjam Melchers, Arenda Grimberg, Madeleine Lindberg, Anouska van der Zee. Team leader: Michael Zijlaard

Team Farm Frites-Hartol for GP Boekel: Sissy van Alebeek, Anouska van der Zee.

Team Ton van Bemmelen Sports-Novilon for GP Boekel: Soraya Bartels, Catharina Mulders, Olga van Velzen, Daphny van den Brand, Wendie Kramp and two time winner Sandra Missbach.

Marty Nothstein aiming for 27th national title at U.S. Nationals

Marty Nothstein will be competing at the U.S. National Track Cycling Championships next week in Trexlertown, PA. He will be racing for at least his 27th National Elite title, as he goes for the Madison, Kilo, Keirin, Points Race and 10-mile scratch race.

"Marty has dominated the sport of track cycling for a decade," commented Pat McDonough, director of the Lehigh Valley Velodrome. "Marty has won all but one Keirin National Championship since 1993, and every Match Sprint and Olympic Sprint since 1996."

After winning the 2000 Olympic Gold Medal in the Match Sprint, Nothstein turned to road racing as a new challenge. He will therefore concentrate on the longer track events next week, and will not contest his specialty, the Match Sprint.

"For the first time since 1996, some one else will win the match sprint this year," added McDonough. "This will be a good time for us to reflect on the impact that Marty has had on the sport."

Burnaby Velodrome reopens

After nearly a year and a half of closure the Burnaby Velodrome was opened for riding on August 20th. Mandy Poitras, Canadian National Team member preparing for the World Championships September 25-29 in Copenhagen, Denmark, was given special permission to ride the track on a limited basis. Mandy will be training on the track for a few more sessions prior to the grand opening in order to help make assessments for the final adjustments to the track.

The official public opening for the track will be Sept 4 with a meeting to be held at the Velodrome at 7 PM for any and all interested in track riding and racing. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony and information on memberships, schedules and programs, and of course riding.

The Burnaby Velodrome Club has worked hard over the past year and a half and has come to agreement terms with Volleyball BC and the City of Burnaby to put track riding and racing back on the schedule.

(All rights reserved/Copyright Knapp Communications Pty Limited 2002)