News for July 13, 2002

Edited by John Stevenson

WADA aims to unify anti-doping rules

The World Anti-Doping Agency is working on refinements to the anti-doping regulations used by sports governing bodies to control abuse of performance-enhancing drugs without unnecessarily penalising sick athletes.

The aim is, among other things, to prevent a repeat of last year's Tour de France incident when Jon Vaughters had to abandon the race. Vaughters' team doctors were unable to use corticoids to treat a wasp sting because the drugs were not already on Vaughters' medical schedule. The Vaughters case was made more complicated because UCI regulations permit use of medicines in these circumstances, but the more strict French national laws do not.

"It is a great shame when a rider is deprived of a product for which there is a proven medical need in an emergency," said doctor Alain Garnier, director of the European office of the WADA at a press conference after yesterday's Tour de France stage finish in Rouen.

Deputy director of the Tour, Daniel Baal, said, "When a competitor is ill, we need to be able to look after him. I believe the WADA wants to make two lists: one for prohibited products, the other that is more medical that regulatory."

The WADA aims to present the final version of its code in March 2003, with sporting organisations adopting the code in 2004.

Doctor Garnier said that all world sporting federations except four had joined the WADA. The remaining four are fencing, handball, tennis and football. Tennis is expected to formalise its arrangement soon, said Garnier.

Daniel Baal described the relationship between WADA and the Societe du Tour de France, an organisation that is bigger than many sporting federations, as "an open dialogue. I have met with Alain Garnier several times since the beginning of the year.

"Our hope is that the world anti-doping code will succeed as quickly as possible because the Tour de France shows clearly the problems that emerge because of the application of various national, international, or federal regulations," he said.

We want this code as soon as possible so there are the same rules everywhere. We are on the right road."

Zabel predicts Cipo will be back

Telekom sprinter Erik Zabel doesn't believe Mario Cipollini's recently announced retirement will be permanent. If anyone might know what's going on under the flamboyant Italian's famous locks, it's Zabel, who has gone shoulder-to-shoulder with Cipo in innumerable sprints over the years.

"I don't believe a hundred percent that Mario is going to stop," Zabel said yesterday. "In recent years, he has been the 'enfant terrible' of cycling and he has done a lot for cycling's popularity. I can't believe he is quitting."

Zabel thinks Cipollini will change his mind, and even hazards a guess as to when a Cipo comeback might happen. "I would not be surprised if he made a sudden comeback for Paris-Tours or the world championship in Zolder," he said. If he's right that puts Cipollini back in the action October 6 for Paris-Tours or October 8-13 for the worlds in Zolder, Belgium.

Axel Merckx comments on Dr. Michele Ferrari

In an in-depth interview in L'Equipe newspaper's Sunday magazine of July 6, Lance Armstrong discussed his relationship with Dr. Michele Ferrari. In the interview, Armstrong mentioned that Axel Merckx had also worked With Dr. Ferrari.

Cyclingnews asked Axel Merckx about his relationship with the controversial Italian doctor and coach.

Cyclingnews: Axel, how long did you work with Dr Ferrari?

Axel Merckx: I was working with him up to a few years ago and learned a lot from his experience, and trainingwise, also regarding altitude training and everything involved in it. I think he's a great trainer. He knows a lot about it and for young riders, his experience gives you a line to follow.

Since I worked with him, I totally changed my way of training and became more aware of the various possibilities in a training program.

CN: Are you still working with him?

AM: No, I stopped working with Dr Ferrari in '98 and it was about two years. At Domo-Farm Frites, we get our training advice from the University clinic and that works good for me.

My experience (with Dr Ferrari) was good. Every rider has their own experience and likes to train a certain way. My experience with Ferrari was positive; he gave me a line to follow in my training and some discipline in my training and I have improved a lot from when I started working with him.

Bonjour gets a reprieve

The Bonjour team has announced that the Vendee region will be involved as a sponsor after the team's current deal with Bonjour ends in 2003.

Collegiate cycling scholarships deadline looms

A reminder from Mike Reinhart that the deadline for applications for the seven $1000 track and road cycling sponsorships on offer from the Nicole Reinhart Foundation is July 20. For more details, see June 29's news or www.nicolesbench.com.

Hibernian National Bike Week 2002

Nationwide celebration of all kinds of cycling from September 1 to 8

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

The '70's,'80's and '90's were synonymous with Bike days and it is refreshing to see that an effort is being made to attract people of all ages to take up a past time, which is both invigorating and healthy. Hopefully the weather will be more user friendly in September. The last successful Bike Day was run back in 1998 and had the support of Mars. It was organised by Paddy Griffin and Dermot Dignam.

Now, Cycling Ireland, Ireland have taken up the baton and to boot they have gone one better, when they announced details of the first annual Hibernian National Bike Week with celebratory events taking place across Ireland from 1st to 8th September, 2002.

The Hibernian National Bike Week, aims to promote and develop all aspects of cycling, as a healthy, enjoyable and friendly lifetime leisure activity for everyone. It is being managed and co-ordinated by Cycling Ireland.

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr John O'Donoghue TD said, "This is a fantastic initiative and I am delighted to be involved with it. If we can boost the number of people cycling for leisure then the amount cycling for 'utility' purposes - such as going to work or school - will naturally grow. National Bike Week is an excellent vehicle."

During the week-long event it is anticipated thousands of people will come together to enjoy cycling-related activities all over Ireland. Cycling Ireland has organised an action packed programme of events and activities including:

• National Bike to Work Day, Friday, September 6, 2002: A nationwide campaign will encourage commuters to cycle to and from work sponsored by friends and family to raise money for national charities.
• Nationwide Pedal Picnics and Family Day Cycles, Sunday, September 1: The Phoenix Park will host a major Pedal Picnic, as will many other parks around the country on the same day. As Heritage Week is taking place the same week as National Bike Week, Cycling Ireland and Duchas are organising special tours to National parks, monuments and historical sites on Sunday 1st and Sunday 8th September.
• National on the Spot Cycle Challenge: All cycling clubs and cyclists will be encouraged to raise funds for the charity of their choice by organising an on the spot cycle. This is a static bike placed in a public place with a cyclist pedalling for a set period of time.
• Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge: Saturday, September 7 to Sunday, 8 : This leisure event will take place on a newly designed secondary cycle route from Dublin to Galway and back to Dublin. A two-day stage event for all cycling enthusiasts.

Co-ordinating with Hibernians' 26 branches and 125 Cycling Clubs nationwide, Cycling Ireland is also planning numerous local and regional events, details of which will be announced very shortly. Designed to have the broadest appeal the majority of the events will be fun and leisure oriented.

Incorporating National Bike to Work Day places an emphasis on commuter cycling, which will have a fundamental impact on current traffic congestion problems experienced in many of Ireland's cities and towns.

Major employers, secretaries of company social clubs and health promoting officers are all being asked to come up with ideas that will encourage staff to cycle to work. Donating money to charity could be a starting point.

Ciaran Mahon, Head of Customer Relations & Marketing, Hibernian General Insurance, commented, "Hibernian is delighted to be associated with Cycling Ireland and National Bike Week which continues our association with the sport of cycling in Ireland. We hope that people from all walks of life, whether they have a 'penny farthing', a 'high nellie' or top of the range road or mountain bike, will participate in National Bike Week and enjoy the fun."

Further information regarding Hibernian National Bike Week can be found at www.cyclingireland.org or by calling 01-8551522.

Hamilton paper calls for locals to rally round world championships

In an column headlined 'Cycling race hurdles not insurmountable' Hamilton Spectator writer Howard Elliott has urged local people and businesses to get behind the town's hosting of the 2003 World Cycling Championships despite the hurdles the event faces.

Elliott cites recent problems that threaten the event, including the laying off of six staff in the world championships office and the closure of that office because of a cash flow problem. Additionally, The Spectator has reported that race organisers didn't apply for provincial funding until 2001 even though the event was awarded to Hamilton, in the Canadian province of Ontario, in 1999. Elliott adds that "provincial Tourism Minister and Burlington MPP Cam Jackson left Hamilton Mayor Bob Wade with the impression that the $8 million funding request to the province is a non-starter."

Nevertheless, Elliot writes, "there is no reason to panic" but there is "a growing need for all the players involved to … show their commitment to this massive undertaking."

Organisers expect the event to draw as many as 500,000 spectators from around the world, requiring 5000 personnel to look after the 1,500 riders and support staff. Twenty-five TV networks will broadcast the races. "The event will generate huge dollars and draw nearly unprecedented attention to our city. Clearly then, the more successful the event, the more tangible and intangible benefits will accrue," Elliott writes.

Despite the obstacles Elliott concludes, "we feel confident in arguing that the majority of Hamiltonians support the event, provided it is planned and run efficiently, with appropriate transparency and accountability. So, call this a bump in the race course. Let's get over it, and ensure the 2003 cycling championships in Hamilton live up to their potential."

Lighthouse brings added punch to cross worlds

Monopoli, Italy is preparing for the world 2003 cyclo-cross championships with the recent appointment of organising company Lighthouse to coordinate the February 1-2 event. Among Lighthouse's principals is former boxing champion Nino Benvenuti.

The 2003 worlds will be held on the course used for the 2001 GP d'Italie round of the cyclo-cross world cup, won in very un-crosslike dry conditions by Sven Nys.

Commonwealth Games competitors boost UK's WCRA road champs

International women's cycling comes to the Essex/Herts border on July 21 with the WCRA's T & T Meadows Grand Prix sponsored by G & D Plumbing & Heating Ltd and Beekay Products.

The 52 mile race covers four laps of a circuit around Wendens Ambo, Littlebury, Great Chesterford, Ickleton and Elmdon - starting at 10am. The race is for the Women's Cycle Racing Association Championship and includes within the event the National Championships for both Junior (under 19) and Espoir (under 23) as well as the Eastern Region Championships.

Leading competitors will be the New Zealand team, en route to the Commonwealth Games, fielding three riders (Melissa Holt, Susy Pryde and Kirsty Robb). They will, however, face stiff opposition from the home-based competitors led by Great Britain international riders Charlotte Goldsmith (SP Systems-Wightlink), Charlotte Hopkinson (Deeside Olympic-Veeboard), Mel Szubrycht (Universal CC), Julie Mann (Triangle RT-Voodoo) and Sara Waller (Team Letchworth-Extran) plus Welsh international Nina Davies (Port Talbot Wheelers). Main challenger for the Espoir title will be London based rider Karen Jeffery (Hiscox Insurance-Condor Cycles) with Billericay girl Cheryl Larsen (Shaftesbury CC) looking for success in the Junior event.

Further details can be found on the WCRA website www.wcra.org.uk.

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