News for July 12, 2002

Edited by Jeff Jones

Cannondale director says they will continue sponsorship

At a time when several sponsors are either pulling out of cycling, or seriously rethinking their involvement in the sport, the Cannondale company have decided to remain as a sponsor of a professional team through 2003. The American bicycle and motorcycle manufacturing company currently co-sponsors the Saeco team, but had cause to review their involvement recently as a result of the "Simoni affair". Scandal or no, it seems that fans still want them to stay.

Cannondale VP and director Scott Montgomery told Cyclingnews that "Since we released our letter from my father, Joe Montgomery, we have received hundreds of emails and letters about our stand in racing. The most overriding comment was - 'please do not pull out of professional road cycling - it would only hurt the sport at a time it needs support'."

"This has led us to believe that we should continue our support of professional road cycling at the highest level. We still have an excellent relationship with the owner of the Saeco company and his team management so we will continue to wait for the final results from the Simoni affair. At this time, we consider it likely that we remain a sponsor of a professional team heading into 2003."

The withdrawal of Mapei from professional cycling also attracted comment from Montgomery, "What the sport needs to recognize is that big companies only sponsor pro road teams for brand recognition or brand expansion. If they have even a hint at scandal why should they risk millions of Euros to potentially have their brand associated with drugs?"

Is Mapei too good, as a result of being too rich? "I think in the present environment you are going to see large sponsors shy from professional road teams. This will lead to smaller team budgets, and ultimately lower rider salaries in the near future. In some ways this might make the sport more exciting in the near future as it will be more difficult for a big team to buy their way to victory."

Montgomery felt that the Saeco team was treated unfairly by being excluded from the Tour de France, when other teams with similar scandals, including their substitute Jean Delatour, were allowed to stay in.

"What causes us the most frustration is the unequal handling of different incidents," he said. "Simoni was found with traces of cocaine and we pulled him from the Giro voluntarily and then the organizers pulled the entire team from the Tour de France, even though Di Luca has a strong chance to wear the polka dot jersey and the verdict of the Simoni situation was far from resolved. Then Ullrich is arrested for a hit and run, now found using banned drugs and is Team Telekom pulled from the tour?"

Finally, Montgomery commented about the lack of effect that these 'doping scandals' are having on the popularity of cycling.

"Cannondale sponsored a pro team to improve our products and to expand the reach of our brand. Now pro cycling sponsorship is still helping us advance our product thus the new CAAD7 project developed completely in partnership with the Saeco team. But we can no longer count on success in the race course due to issues beyond our control. Yet the public is watching the sport in record numbers."

"It reminds me of our President Clinton, when he had the sex scandal the public listened to his every word. Yet now that we have a clean President Bush few listen to his public speeches. So should we be happy we have scandal and thus more eyeballs, or traditional great racing where the biggest topic of discussion is the advantages of the bicycle frame? We at Cannondale would prefer the latter of course."

Cipollini to give press conference on Monday

Mario Cipollini's personal agent, Mauro Bataglini, has announced that the Tuscan sprinting star will give a press conference on Monday, July 15 to discuss his recent announcement that he would retire. Cipollini surprised everyone when he posted a short note on his website a few days ago, citing his non-selection for the Tour and a lack of appreciation by his Acqua e Sapone team for his sacrifices.

Despite the announcement, the general consensus amongst riders and commentators is of disbelief. Few think that with the World Championships on his plate at the end of the season, that Cipollini would give it all up because he was left out of the Tour. He is currently the number one ranked rider in 2002 on UCI points, collecting 10 wins including Milan-San Remo, Gent-Wevelgem and six stages in the Giro d'Italia. Thus he is considered the favourite for the World's, which will be held on a flat course in Belgium in October.

Mike Sinyard, the president of the team's bike sponsor Specialized, said at "At this point, all we can say is that discussions between Cipo and the team are ongoing. Mario himself remains cordial, and we look forward to a positive resolution."

Simoni, Sgambelluri, referred to CONI

Italian cyclists Gilberto Simoni, Roberto Sgambelluri, along with former Ballan doctor Enrico Lazzaro, have been referred to the anti-doping commission of CONI. Simoni tested positive for cocaine after an out of competition test on April 24 in Arco; Sgambelluri tested positive for Nesp (darbepoetin alfa) on the same day; and Lazzaro is accused of "serious and repeated violations of the anti-doping regulations".

In addition, Alberto Ongarato and Daniele De Paoli have been referred to the Italian cycling federation's disciplinary commission for possession of banned substances.

Jalabert extends for another year

Laurent Jalabert has decided to remain with the CSC-Tiscali squad of Bjarne Riis for another season, with the announcement being made during the 5th stage of the Tour de France. The 33 year old has ridden well so far in the Tour, but without luck after a puncture and a bad decision in the team time trial very likely cost him the yellow jersey. However, he has made up with director Bjarne Riis and is obviously satisfied with his place in the team.

Ag2r renews for another year

Vincent Lavenu's Ag2r-Prevoyance team, which contains Estonian champion Jaan Kirsipuu, has had its sponsorship renewed through 2003. Lavenu confirmed this with Cyclingnews before the start of stage 5 of the Tour, adding that he expected it to happen and it was no great surprise.

Robert Hunter interested in Rabobank

South African sprinter Robert Hunter, currently "on the market" as he put it, is talking to several teams at the moment, including US Postal, Lampre, Cofidis and Rabobank. His manager Alex Carerra was quoted in De Telegraaf as saying that "But Rabobank has an obvious preference for us. I spoke with Jan Raas and Theo de Rooij in Luxembourg. After the Tour we will follow that up. From both persons there is definite interest. It should work out well."

Hunter (25) is considered one of the more talented young riders in the peloton. He possesses a good sprint and is a decent time trialist, which helped him win two stages in the 2000 Ronde van Nederland, a stage of the Vuelta España in 2001 and three stages of the Tour de Langkawi in 2002.

MTB DH World Cup preview

Queen Anne aims to Conquer Telluride 360°

French star Anne-Caroline Chausson will be one of the top riders in attendance at this weekend's Round 5 of the UCI's Mountainbike Downhill World Cup, to be held in Telluride, USA. Chausson presently leads the Tissot World Cup downhill standings. She crashed in the first World Cup in Britain, but recovered to win the second and third event in the series. The fourth event at Grouse Mountain was cancelled due to snow.

To date this season, she's been unstoppable in both downhill and the new Four-Cross format, part of the Tissot World Cup and a world championship event. Known in America as "mountain cross," Four-Cross puts four riders on a single course with berms, jumps and assorted obstacles. The first two finishers in each heat advance until the final four are selected. The event is a full-contact hybrid between downhill, dual slalom and BMX. And yes, Queen Anne reigns supreme there, too.

Chausson has gone undefeated in the Four-Cross world cups held to date. She leads her fellow Frenchwoman Sabrina Jonnier (Intense) by 50 points and third-place rider Katrina Miller (Jamis) of Australia.

In the men's downhill, all the pressure will be on one man, Australia's Chris Kovarik (Intense). He has had a magical season in downhill. Coming off a victory in the final World Cup of 2001, he opened 2002 with an amazing victory in the first World Cup, winning with a 14-second margin over second place! He went on to win the second and third World Cup and the first two NORBA Nationals. Only a flat tire in the third NORBA National at Snowshoe Mountain Resort in West Virginia interrupted his winning streak. Behind Kovarik in the world cup standings is Steve Peat (Orange/Royal) and Cedric Gracia (Volvo/Cannondale) respectively.

In the men's Four-Cross, the Americans have a dominant rider with Brian Lopes (GT/Fox), the current World Cup leader and defending world champion in dual, an event being replaced by four-cross this season. Lopes has not lost a NORBA National Mountain Cross, but he hasn't won a World Cup. His consistency, with a second and two thirds, has given him the series lead.

"We're still figuring it out," Lopes said of the new format.

What Lopes has figured out is how to get a good start. Lopes is famous for eggbeater leg speed right out of the gate, which secures critical position for him. So quick is Lopes that he is being considered for the 2004 Olympic track cycling team.

He presently leads the World Cup over BMX legend Wade Bootes (Trek/Volkswagen) and Mike King (Haro/Lee Dungarees).

Irish U23, Veterans and Juniors National Championships preview

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

The last two weekends have provided excellent fare for all categories at competitive level. Unfortunately, the Senior A's will be starved of competition this weekend as they were back on the June Bank Holiday weekend. Not so for the Under-23's, Veterans and Juniors who have their respective National Championships this Sunday.

Emyvale CC that very progressive club embarks on one of their biggest promotions to date by staging these championships. According to Frank Murphy of the promoting club, "It has been a team effort by everybody to make doubly sure that we are not left wanting," said Frank.

The event has the backing of McElvaney Motors Monaghan such is the importance of an event of this nature being brought to the North East of the country.

Frank reckons, "the course we have selected is a very sporting and a truly competitive one. It has all the ingredients that you would expect to have in a championship test. Bit of this and a bit of the other all thrown in to make it interesting. Pity the competitors won't have the time to take in the views in this part of the country."

Competition gets under way at one o'clock on Sunday. The U-23's will compete over four laps, whilst the Juniors and the Veterans will tackle three laps of a 16-mile test.

Defending champion in the U-23 section is Thomas Hogan from the Earl of Desmond/Tralee Bicycle Club. Thomas will have his hands full on this occasion with the inclusion of Denis Lynch and Dermot Nally who are jetting in from France and Spain respectively. There European based clubs are anxious that they would have for the coming season a national champion in their ranks which would bolster their sponsorship and competitive edge for next year. I have no doubt that Hogan who will have the backing of a strong representative body, could thrown the gauntlet down and maybe repeat his success from Batterstown last year.

In the junior section it would be a brave individual who would not include Paudi O'Brien as a clear favourite. He has been outstanding this season and it would be a major hiccup if he were to miss the title. Don't rule out Andrew McQuaid as a medal hope. He is part of the McQuaid dynasty who have been involved in the promotion of cycling in this country as far back as the late 40's. There are few families in any part of the world who would have such a pedigree as theirs. Andrew is the son of Pat McQuaid a former President of the Federation of Irish Cyclists, but is now a highly regarded race organiser and a member of the Union Cycliste Internationale hierarchy.

In the Veteran section you would want to tread lightly as their numbers are flourishing. Still you can't rule out the aspirations of Jim Cassidy of the Garda CC. On current standings Jim is in fine fettle and a gold medal is well within the capabilities of his brief.

Details:

Sign on between 11am and 12.30pm at Monaghan Harps GFC complex. Race will start at 13.00 hrs from McElvaney Motors Monaghan on National N2. The U23's do the circuit 4 times and the vets and juniors do it 3 times.

The Fastest Man On Wheels at Lehigh Valley Velodrome

The Lehigh Valley Velodrome will host the Fastest Man On Wheels on July 12. For the second time this season, the Velodrome will host a double-header event, which features Nestor's Keirin Cup and the Bicycling Magazine Madison Cup. Total prize list for the event is $8,000.

The Bicycling Magazine Madison Cup is the longest running Madison race in the U.S., now in its 27th year. Returning 2001 Madison Cup winner Marty Nothstein is teaming up with German Erik Weispfennig, 2000 Madison World Champion. After losing last month's Bentley Graphic Communications Madison series to new comers Bobby Lea and Kyle Wamsley, Nothstein is bringing in the big guns.

But the young duo are not the only team that could put a damper on Nothstein's repeat victory. U.S. National Champion Mike Tillman will be teamed with this season's Rider of the Year points leader, Australian Jeff Hopkins. Twelve international teams are expected to compete in this crowd-pleasing event.

The Nestor's Keirin Cup will also be featured at the Fastest Man On Wheels. The 1999 Keirin Cup winner Gil Hatton is expected to come out of retirement for this big event. Hatton raced the professional Keirin circuit in Japan for three years, the maximum for any foreigner. Marty Nothstein, former 2 time Keirin World Champion and 5-time Keirin Cup Champion, is also expected to compete.

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