News for July 9, 2002

Edited by Jeff Jones

Domo ask for a licence for Vandenbroucke

Patrick Lefevere has asked the Belgian cycling federation for a licence for Frank Vandenbroucke, so he can start competing again for the team by the end of July. This comes in spite of the fact that Vandenbroucke was suspended last Thursday for a period of 18 months (12 months good behaviour) by the sports disciplinary commission of the Flemish Government for possession of doping products. However, the suspension only applies to races in Flanders, meaning that VDB can compete everywhere else.

"OK, so Frank can't rider the Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen in Koolskamp and the Grote Prijs Rik Van Steenbergen, but my boss Jan De Clerck is not interested in those races. It's a pity he won't be able to start in Zolder though," said Lefevere to De Standaard today.

In response to the rumours that Nesp was found along with EPO, Clenbuterol and Morphine in Frank's house, Lefevere responded "I have not heard of any new elements. EPO or Nesp is the same for me, but for these two instances they are apparently two products. The most important thing for me is that he didn't take them. That was shown from the tests."

VDB will now travel to St Moritz for a training camp with Johan Museeuw, Leif Hoste, Sven Vanthourenhout, Jeroen Blijlevens, Marco Milesi and Wilfried Cretskens. "In principle he will on July 29 start in the Tour de la Région Wallonne, followed by the Tour de l'Ain (August 13-16), and the Tour de Poitou-Charentes (August 27-30). That is the preparation program for the Vuelta, which he may ride."

Interestingly, when Belgian TV previewed the Tour de la Région Wallonne, it was revealed that the organisers have changed the parcours so that the race doesn't touch any Flemish territory. But in typical Belgian style, there is a road in Fourons that is half Flemish and half Walloon, which begs the question: Will the organisers enforce the centre line rule on VDB?

Halgand may leave Jean Delatour too

In addition to the strong rumour that sports director Michel Gros may leave Jean Delatour, top rider Patrice Halgand may be on the way out. L'Equipe reported that Halgand is in contract talks with several other teams including the Swiss Phonak squad. Jean Delatour team manager Serge Barle said "We made him an offer, but it's clear that we don't have the budget to keep him."

The departure of Gros would see Jean-Luc Jonrond and Patrick Perret take over in the interim as directeurs sportifs. At age 60, Gros expects he might retire if not approached by another team.

Coppi's bike goes for 9000 euro

A bike belonging to Fausto Coppi has been auctioned off for 9000 euro in Clermond-Ferrand, France, to help raise money for a cycling museum. Coppi won the 1950 edition of Paris-Roubaix on the machine, which was expected to fetch around 4000 euros. However, a collector Nancy thought it was worth more than that, and paid 9000.

Alpenrose Challenge

The Alpenrose Velodrome will be the site of the Alpenrose Challenge, July 19-21. This will be the fourth year that the Challenge has been held at Alpenrose. Claiming to have the largest prize list for a track race in North America, the Challenge attracts elite level bike racers from the US and Canada as well as the rest of the world.

Competitors who will be racing at the Challenge this year include:

Marty Nothstein, Sydney Olympic Gold Medallist and multiple World Champion; Jeff LaBauve, who recently broke Nothstein's American 200 m record during competition at the Moscow World Cup; Jame Carney, who was the World Cup Overall Points Race Champion in 2001 and a member of the Sydney Olympic Team; and John Walrod, a Portland resident who has not previously been able to compete this event to other team commitments.

The Alpenrose Velodrome is located on the grounds of the Alpenrose Dairy, 6149 SW Shattuck Road, in Portland. Racing sessions starts each day at 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Spectator admission is free.

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