News for December 6, 2002

Edited by Chris Henry

Michaelsen joins Team CSC

Danish classics specialist Lars Michaelsen, 33, will sign a two year deal with Team CSC. However, the second year of the contract will only be effective if the necessary sponsor funding is found.The Dane has shown consistency in the classics, scoring perhaps his biggest win at the 1995 Gent-Wevelgem. He also won a stage in the 1997 Vuelta a España. In joining the CSC team of Bjarne Riis, Michaelsen reinforces the classics contingent, which already includes Andrea Tafi, Geert Van Bondt, Tristan Hoffman, and Arvis Piziks, along with sprinter Julian Dean.

"We have long wished to add Lars to our team," said team manager Riis. "He is a talented rider who has a good attitude towards his occupation. He is very experienced and he can still make results. He will be given lots of responsibility on our team."

Michaelsen is equally satisfied with the move. "I am very pleased with my new Team CSC contract," he said. "I needed a change of scenery and I look forward to riding for a Danish team with Bjarne Riis as the leader. The team focuses on some of the same races as I do and I still feel that I have the ability to be at the front of the peloton where the races are won."

Michaelsen will be the 19th rider on contract with CSC next year.

Ximo Lopez joins Paternina-Costa de Almeria

The Paternina-Costa de Almeria team has announced the signing of Joaquín "Ximo" Lopez (ex-Kelme) for 2003. The 26 year old Lopez has been a pro for three years, riding for Kelme in 2001 and 2002.

Simoni's verdict on the Zoncolan

Gilberto Simoni and his Saeco-Longoni Sport teammates Leonardo Bertagnolli, Juan Fuentes and Damiano Cunego took their scheduled trip to investigate the 12th stage of the 2003 Giro d'Italia. The stage, which will run 185km from San Dona di Piave to Monte Zoncolan, may prove pivotal in the race. As Simoni commented, "It'll be murder for us, but great to watch."

Simoni and co. tested all the steep sections of the climb, starting in Fuessa and heading up to the summit Monte Zoncolan. The climb is 13km long and counts 1196 meters of elevation gain, with an average gradient of 9% and sections of 22%. Weather conditions did not allow them to ride up the entire climb, however, as the final three kilometers were covered in snow.

"It's so tough, you can't compare it to the other important climbs or historic climbs in cycling. I wouldn't even compare it to the L'Angliru in Spain," Simoni said after his initial survey of the climb. "The final kilometers of the Zoncolan are terrible and will create large time gaps even if the weather is good. It'll be a great stage for the tifosi to watch. It's hidden in the countryside and seems perfect for the people who love to watch the Giro d'Italia from the road side."

Fuji Bikes becomes latest Dutch TT3

By Bert Sarloos, Dagblad de Limburger

The number of new Dutch TT3's is growing almost daily. The newest is Team Fuji Bikes. The formation is a spin-off of the amateur König Pilsener/Euregio Cycle Team. The team is under the license of the German club Zugvogel'09 from Aachen, but consists primarily of Dutch riders. Team manager/directeur sportif Jo Moonen, a former pro (1969-1971), has a three year contract with the Fuji squad.

Moonen and his assistant John de Heij, a former top Dutch amateur, have already signed eleven riders, most notably ex-pro Raymond Meijs. Niels Hamers, Berrie Thoolen, Patrick Harings, Stephan Lotz, Danny Sijen, Nils Heinis and Bas Robroek are also from the old Zugvogel bunch. Ralf Hamers (Niels' brother) and the juniors Merijn van Breugel and Urs Veltrop are new recruits. The team management is looking for three more riders.

First camp for Landbouwkrediet-Colnago

The Landbouwkrediet-Colnago team will meet for its first pre-season camp on December 9th in Livigano. The team will begin with light training, including cross-country skiing and mountain biking. Team members will also discuss with the management their programs for the upcoming season.

Team CSC and Lotto-Domo for Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under

Team CSC will venture once again to Australia for the 2003 Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under. The team will bring an impressive lineup, including Jakob Piil and Andrea Tafi, both winners of World Cup classics in 2002. Tafi joins CSC after a long run with the Italian Mapei squad. Returning to the event will also be New Zealand's Julian Dean, second in the final stage of last year's TDU.

The full CSC roster for the 2003 Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under is as follows:

Jakob Piil, Andrea Tafi, Tristan Hoffman, Geert Van Bondt, Arvis Piziks, Julian Dean, Thomas Bruun Eriksen, Lennie Kristensen

Lotto-Domo

Belgian team Lotto-Domo has also confirmed its eight rider lineup for the TDU. Australia's silver medallist at the World Championships, Robbie McEwen will lead the charge, along with compatriot Nick Gates, Glen D'Hollander, Thierry Marichal, Hans De Clercq, Wim Vansenant, Kevin Van Impe and Gert Steegmans.

Gears Racing Institute 2003 MTB team

The Gears Racing Institute ("GRI") announced Thursday its 2003 Gears Racing Mountain Bike Team roster. The largest development team in Canada, GRI welcomes several new juniors, including Max Plaxton, gold medal winner in the World Championships Team Relay. New seniors include national team level racers Tim Oliver and Matt Patterson.

As part of the development program, team members participate in a training camp held in the spring in Phoenix, Arizona as well as several team-specific training events. Gears Racing is sponsored by Shimano Canada, Specialized Bicycles, Sugoi and Bonham & Co., Inc.

2003 Team roster:

North American Male, Senior: Mathieu Toulouse, Julian Hine, Ricky Federau
North American Female: Trish Sinclair, Kiara Bisaro
National Male: Greg Reain, Michael Dennis, Tim Oliver, Matt Patterson
National Espoir Male: Frederic Bussieres, Adam Coates, Martin Lazarski
National Junior Male: Max Plaxton
National Female: Sue Trimble, Sophie-Ann Blanchette
National Female Junior: Catherine Vipond
Ontario Provincial Male: Jeff Weber, Craig Hawkes, Paul Skafel, Shawn Ito
Provincial Female: Danelle Kabush, Heather King, Nancy Manning
Provincial Male, Junior: Paul Brown, Cameron Mackenzie, Warren Manning
Provincial Female, Junior: Liza-Jane Manning

Team Management:

Kevin Wallace, President
Ira Kargel, Vice-President
Ron Vanderleeuw, Team Captain/Head Mechanic
Ryan Hindmarsh, Training/Development Manager
Marnie McBean, Training/Development Manager

Queensland Summer of Track Cycling Carnival

Six day Track cycle racing returns to Queensland with the Summer of Track Cycling Carnival from January 21-26, 2003. Over $20,000 in prize money is on offer with categories for Juniors, Seniors, and Masters. Tuesday 21st, Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd see carnivals at Chandler Velodrome in Brisbane hosted by Wynnum Cycle Club, Kangaroo Point Cycle Club, and Balmoral Cycle Club respectively. Each carnival commences at 5pm. For the weekend of Friday 24th-Sunday 26th, the racing shifts to the Nerang Velodrome on the Gold Coast for carnivals hosted by Goldstars Cycle Club, Broncos Cycle Club, and CATS Cycle Clubs. Start time on Saturday and Sunday is 4pm. For more information, see www.broncoscycling.org, email: president@broncoscycling.org, or phone Jeff Schneider at 0410661046.

Cape Cod ‘Cross Round-up

People Cycle, in cooperation with the Corner Cycle of Cape Cod, will host the first annual Cape Cod ‘Cross Round-up on December 14th on Cape Cod. Events will be held for runners, kids and cyclists of all levels. The 2.5km 'cross course boasts a section of old running track, a short run-up, steep descents, a lot of grass and of course barriers.

The event kicks off with the Cape Cod Ramble, a 2 lap (5km) cross-country running race and is followed by a beginners ‘cross race. Races for licensed riders continue throughout the day, concluding with the Elite Men's race at 2pm. For information go to www.peoplecycle.org. Online registration is available at www.bikereg.com/races/register.asp?EventID=576.

RAAM Veteran Kent diagnosed with MS

Ultra marathon cyclist Rick Kent, 46, accustomed to superhuman endurance feats, now struggles with the simplest of activities. Kent has run 48 marathons, and has finished the Race Across America five times. He once rode a record 460 miles in 24 hours and in finished second in the 1994 Circle of Italy, a nonstop 1,030-mile race. Now the man who once lapped the field in a benefit race for multiple sclerosis has MS himself, diagnosed with the disease this year.

It's been a year since he did his last triathlon, but after a break of six months, Kent has started running two days a week, with goals now of finishing and enjoying events. "If I get to the point where I can ride with my friends, that would be huge," he said. Kent is hoping to take part in the British Petroleum MS 150 bike tour.

Source: Austin American Statesman

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