News for November 17, 2002

Edited by Chris Henry & Jeff Jones

Second failed hour bid for Nuttli

Jean Nuttli was unsuccessful in his second attempt to break the World Hour Record in Bordeaux. After stopping his first attempt after only 21 minutes, Nuttli completed the hour Saturday, but achieved a distance of 47.093 kilometers. Boardman's record for the hour stands at 49.441km.

Van Heeswijk signs with US Postal

Dutchman Max Van Heeswijk reports on his web site that he has signed a contract with US Postal, after discussions with several other teams including Marlux, Landbouwkrediet, CSC and Fakta. Van Heeswijk, 29, will head to Texas for the first Postal training camp, where he will re-unite with former Motorola teammates Lance Armstrong and and George Hincapie.

Trampusch to Gerolsteiner

Austrian Gerhard Trampusch has signed with the German Gerolsteiner team for 2003. Trampusch, 24, turned pro in 2000 with the Mapei espoirs team, later graduating to the top team and riding his first Tour de France this year.

Canadian champ joins Schroeder

Canada's national road race champion Andrew Randall will ride for the Schroeder Iron team next year in the US domestic competition. Canada's current National Road Race Champion, Randall has had some impressive results in 2002, including stage victories in Norway's GP Ringerike and Ireland's Milk Ras, in addition to his National Title. He is described by team boss Frank Schroeder as a strong all-rounder; good in the sprint, strong in a time trial, and with the ability to hang in for a tough day on the climbs.

The announcement of Randall follows that of Chann McRae, the reigning US road race champion, who has also signed for Schroeder next year. The team has also changed bike sponsors, with Litespeed to come in for the 2003 season. (See full story.)

Verheyen to Marlux

Geert Verheyen will ride next year for the Belgian Marlux-Ville de Charleroi team. Verheyen comes from Rabobank, where he has spent the last two seasons. Marlux is still negotiating with some more riders, according to team director Jef Braeckevelt.

Eric Vanderaerden may direct Mez team

Former Mapei director sportif Eric Vanderaerden may have found a new job with the Belgian elite/amateur Mez team. Should it become official, Vanderaerden would direct the amateur squad, as well as have a hand in the junior team. Although he admits that anything would be a backward step after coming from Mapei, with Mez he can help to develop young talent.

Euskaltel-Euskadi for 2003

Given that the Euskaltel-Euskadi only recruits Basque riders- born in the Basque Country or having Basque blood, like Venezuelan Unai Etxebarria- it should come as little surprise that only two riders are leaving the team (Igor Flores and César Solaun), while neo-pro Dioni Galparsoro is the team's only new addition for 2003. Flores and Solaun are still without contracts for next year.

Iban Mayo, winner of the Midi-Libre 2001, will lead the team, which also includes Gorka Arrizabalaga, Mikel Artetxe, Ruben Diaz de Cerio, Unai Etxebarria, David Etxebarria, Lander Euba, Julien Fernandez, Iker Flores, Gorka Gerrikagoitia, Gorka Gonzalez, David Herrero, Iñaki Isasi, Roberto Laiseka, Iñigo Landaluze, Alberto Lopez de Munain, José Alberto Martinez, Egoi Martinez, Samuel Sanchez, Aitor Silloniz, Josu Silloniz, Haimar Zubeldia, Joseba Zubeldia and Dioni Galparsoro. Julian Gorospe remains the team manager for the 25 rider squad.

Meanwhile, messages of support for Spanish Elite rider Markel Irizar, a member of Euskaltel's U23 team Olarra diagnosed with testicular cancer, may be sent to Mr. Miguel Madariaga, president of the Foundación Ciclista Euskadi, at fundacion@fundacioneuskadi.com.

Thanks to João Cravo and Eloi Corres

Superprestige round 3

Sunday, November 17 will mark the third round of the Superprestige cyclo-cross series, as the racing heads to Gavere, Belgium. The first two rounds (Ruddervoorde, Sint-Michielsgestel) were won by Sven Nys, who consequently leads the series with the maximum number of points. Nys will benefit from the confidence of his series lead, his win last year in Gavere, and the recent birth of his first child.

Sunday's race will also be an important marker, coming one week before the opening of the cyclo-cross World Cup. Nys, Bart Wellens, Mario De Clercq, Erwin Vervecken and Sven Vanthourenhout have secured spots on the Belgian national team, but the sixth place is up for grabs. Tom Vanoppen, Ben Berden and Peter Van Santvliet will no doubt be fighting for their ticket to the World Cup.

Superprestige series standings after two rounds (Elite Men):

1. Sven Nys             60 points
2. Richard Groenendaal  50
3. Erwin Vervecken      39
4. Bart Wellens         36
5. Sven Vanthourenhout  33
6. Tom Vannoppen        32
7. Peter Van Santvliet  26
8. Ben Berden           26
9. Gerben de Knegt      24
10. Wim Jacobs and Arne Daelmans (tied at 20)

Dunlap takes a pass for 'cross nationals

Five time US national cyclo-cross champion Alison Dunlap will sit out this year's nationals at Domaine Chandon in Napa, California. Dunlap's Clif Bar team hopes her absence will pave the way for teammates Carmen d'Aluisio, second at last year's nationals, or Gina Hall to claim the stars and stripes this year. Dunlap's focus remains the 2004 Olympics.

Tour de Langkawi: Missaglia looking for repeat performance

Former overall champion Gabriele Missaglia of Italy is out to stamp his prowess in next year's Telekom Malaysia Le Tour de Langkawi, which will run from January 31 to February 9 2003. The Lampre team of Italy is making its debut in the UCI 2.2 race and has announced a strong line-up made up of riders. Apart from Missaglia, the team will be feature Rubens Bertogliati, Max Sciandri, Japan Cup champion Sergio Barbero, Luciarno Pagliarni, Marco Pinotti and Simone Bertoletti.

Twenty teams have confirmed their entries in the Tour de Langkawi, which at UCI 2.2 is currently the highest-ranked race outside Europe. The 10-stage race, the eighth edition in its series, will cover a total distance of 1,343km and is scheduled to start with a time trial in Langkawi on January 31. Next year's Tour will cover 10 states which include Kedah, Perlis, Penang, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. Six venues will make their hosting debut, including Butterworth, Kulim, Tanah Merah, Marang, Chukai and Seremban.

New coach for Greg Minnaar

2001 UCI World Cup Champion Greg Minnaar of South Africa has today signed a contract with Stephane Girard who will now become his coach for the 2003 season. Girard is most famous for coaching 10 times World Downhill Champion Nicolas Vouilloz of France. Stephane has worked with a number of athletes,
and was National Mountain Bike Coach for the USA in previous years.

Minnaar, who suffered a series of setbacks in 2002 mainly due to injury from training and race related crashes, is looking forward to a stronger season in 2003. "I'm really excited about this new partnership with Stephane," said Minnaar. "As most people know I have been a huge fan of all that Nicolas Vouilloz has achieved over the past years, and I recognise that no athlete does this alone. Partnering with Stephane who has coached Nico to so many victories will help me to achieve the goals I have for the coming years, with 2003 being step one."

Australian "Fab Four" to line up in Tasmania

Organisers of the inaugural $20,000 Dohertys Hotel Launceston Criterium on December 27, which will form part of the Telstra Country Wide Tasmanian Christmas Carnivals, yesterday announced that they had completed the last leg of the "Fab Four" quadrella, with the signing of Robbie McEwen. The 2002 Tour de France green jersey winner will line up with fellow Aussies Stuart O'Grady, Bradley McGee and Baden Cooke, winner of the recent VicRoads Herald Sun Tour.

McEwen has also agreed to act as guest speaker at the inaugural Launceston Criterium Gala Sportsmen Dinner, which will be held at Dohertys Launceston International following the race on December 27. Race organisers are expecting a capacity field of around 180 riders for the riders, which will see a $10,000 first prize and prize money paid down to 20th place, including a $500 "prime" for first rider over the line at 2-laps to go.

Courtesy of Rod Morris

Last minute salvage of Irish cyclo-cross league

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

The Apollo CT cycling club has stepped into the vacuum created by the cancellation of the penultimate cyclo-cross league event to be held at Stormont Castle, Belfast yesterday afternoon. Frantic overnight efforts behind the scenes, in particular by Myles McCorry, came to fruitition when he announced that he had secured another location. Today (Sunday) at mid-day in Craigavon Lakes, the league will swing into action. "Please tell everyone you know,even if they have no bike," urged McCorry. In pole position in the league is Roger Aiken.

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