News for October 2, 2002

Edited by Jeff Jones and Chris Henry

Paris-Bourges preview

Paris-Bourges, which runs this Thursday, October 3, marks the final round of the Coupe de France series. The 205km race begins in Gien, France, with a finishing circuit in Bourges. The Coupe de France series is currently led by Bonjour's Franck Bouyer, ahead of Jean Delatour's Laurent Lefèvre and FDJeux.com's Nicolas Vogondy.

Last year's edition was won by Frenchman Florent Brard, riding for the now defunct Festina squad. Brard has since moved across to Credit Agricole, but has been off the radar screen much of this season. This year the following 17 teams will line up for the start in Gien:

Credit Agricole, Cofidis, FDJeux.com, Bonjour, BigMat-Auber, Jean Delatour, Ag2R Prévoyance, CSC-Tiscali, Mapei-Quick Step, Euskaltel-Euskadi, St. Quentin-Oktos, Phonak, Palmans-Collstrop, Team Coast, EDS-fakta, Marlux, and a France Espoirs team.

Dutch men's team for Zolder

National coach Gerrie Knetemann has named 10 of the 12 riders to contest the men's road race on October 13 in Zolder. Led by Erik Dekker and Michael Boogerd (Rabobank), the team features sprinters Steven de Jongh (Rabobank), Jans Koerts (Domo-Farm Frites) and Stefan van Dijk (Lotto-Adecco). Leadout man Aart Vierhouten (Lotto) is also included, along with Rabobank's young talent Karsten Kroon and Bobbie Traksel. Bart Voskamp and Bram Schmitz (Bankgiroloterij) make up the 10. The remaining two riders will be selected after Paris-Tours.

Team list

Erik Dekker (Rabobank)
Michael Boogerd (Rabobank)
Steven de Jongh (Rabobank)
Karsten Kroon (Rabobank)
Bobbie Traksel (Rabobank)
Bart Voskamp (Bankgiroloterij)
Bram Schmitz (Bankgiroloterij)
Jans Koerts (Domo-Farm Frites)
Stefan van Dijk (Lotto-Adecco)
Aart Vierhouten (Lotto-Adecco)

French World's pre-selection

The Fédération Française de Cyclisme (FFC) has announced its pre-selection for the World Championship teams. Final selection for the elite men's road race is expected after the Paris-Bourges race on October 3. Laurent Jalabert will make the World's road race his last event before retirement. Jalabert, a former time trial world champion, will contest only the road race this year. Credit Agricole's Christophe Moreau will compete in both the road and time trial events.

Team pre-selection is as follows:

Men's road race: Jimmy Casper, Jacky Durand, Frédéric Guesdon, Nicolas Vogondy (FDJeux.com), Franck Rénier, Didier Rous, Emmanuel Magnien (Bonjour), Laurent Jalabert, Nicolas Jalabert (CSC-Tiscali), Cédric Vasseur, Médéric Clain (Cofidis), Pierrick Fedrigo, Christophe Moreau (Credit Agricole), Andy Flickinger, Ludovic Turpin (Ag2R), Patrice Halgand, Laurent Brochard (Jean Delatour), Richard Virenque (Domo-Farm Frites).

Men's time trial: Christophe Moreau (Credit Agricole), Jacky Durand (FDJeux.com)

Women's road race: Sophie Creux, Delphine Guille, Magali Le Floc'h, Sandrine Marcuz-Morreau, Catherine Marsal, Virginie Moinard

Women's time trial: Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli, Catherine Marsal, Edwige Pitel

Colombian team for Zolder

Elite Men

Road Race

Santiago Botero (Kelme)
Victor Hugo Peña (USPS)
Hernan Buenahora (Cage Maglierie)
Felix Cardenas (Cage Maglierie)
Mauricio Ardila (Marlux)
Jairo Perez (Loteria Boyaca)

Time Trial

Santiago Botero (Kelme)
Victor Hugo Peña (USPS)

Elite Women (RR and TT)

María Luisa Calle

U23 Men

Road Race

Mauricio Ortega (Aguardiente Antioqueño)
Andrés Rodríguez (Tolima)
Leonardo Duque (Aguardiente Antioqueño)

Time Trial

Mauricio Ortega (Aguardiente Antioqueño)
Andrés Rodríguez (Tolima)

Junior Men (RR and TT)

Rafael Infantino (Aguardiente Antioqueño)
Diego Díaz (Cundinamarca)

Junior Women (RR and TT)

Laura Castro

Slovenian team for Zolder

Elite Men

Road Race

Andrej Hauptman (Tacconi)
Zoran Klemencic (Tacconi)
Uros Murn (Formaggi Trentini)
Gorazd Stangelj (Fassa Bortolo)
Reserves:
Martin Hvastija (Alessio)
Martin Derganc (Acqua e Sapone)

Time Trial

Dean Podgornik

U23 Men

Road Race

Borut Bozic
Gregor Gazvoda
Matej Marin
Matic Strgar
Jure Zrimsek

Time Trial

Gregor Gazvoda
Jure Zrimsek

Junior Men

Road Race

Grega Bole
Aldo Ilesic
Leon Makarovic
Janez Rozman
Miha Svab

Time Trial

Grega Bole
Leon Makarovic

Starters for Six Days of Amsterdam

Twelve teams will ride in the Six Days of Amsterdam, the opening race of the Six Day season taking place from October 21-26. Defending champions Matthew Gilmore and Scott McGrory will be there, along with top pairings Silvio Martinello/Marco Villa (Ita), Bruno Risi/Kurt Betschart (Swi), Robert Slippens/Danny Stam (Ned) and Robert Sassone/Jean-Michel Tessier (Fra). Marty Nothstein will ride his first Six of the season coupled with Dane Jimmi Madsen. Also road riders Servais Knaven/Leon van Bon, Robert Hunter (with Jean Pierre Van Zyl) and MatthŽ Pronk (with brother Jos) will feature on the program. Mountain biker Filip Meirhaeghe will race with Lorenzo Lapage, which should be an interesting combination.

Full start list

Matthew Gilmore (Bel)/Scott McGrory (Aus)
Silvio Martinello/Marco Villa (Ita)
Robert Slippens/Danny Stam (Ned)
Bruno Risi/Kurt Betschart (Swi)
Servais Knaven/Leon Van Bon (Ned)
MatthŽ Pronk/Jos Pronk (Ned)
Robert Sassone/Jean Michel Tessier (Fra)
Jimmi Madsen (Den)/Marty Nothstein (USA)
Gerd Dorich (Ger)/Franz Stocher (Austria)
Lorenzo Lapage/Filip Meirhaeghe (Bel)
Jean Pierre Van Zijl/Robert Hunter (RSA)
Mario Vonhof (Ger)/Francis De Jager (Ned)

Casagrande to Lampre

Francesco Casagrande will more than likely ride for the Lampre-Daikin team, according to reports in the Italian press. Earlier he was linked with iBanesto.com, but that will not happen.

Van Hemert Groep contracts

The Dutch Division III Van Hemert Groep Cycling Team has offered a one year contract to Vincent van Rijn. The team has also re-signed 21 year old Belgian Igor Abakoumov.

Belgian prosecutor wants Bugno in prison

According to a report in Het Nieuwsblad, the public prosecutor in Kortrijk has recommended a year's imprisonment for Gianni Bugno, his father Giacomo, chief suspect Tiziano Morassut (former Mapei soigneur), delivery man Edouard Verhulst, and his father Louis, in relation to the Driedaagse Van De Panne amphetamine package affair three years ago.

The affair started when a Roselare based courier firm found what looked like a suspicious package. It contained five amphetamine packages and an accompanying letter from Morassut. The package was addressed to Giacomo Bugno, the father of Gianni.

The accused Italians have left the matter in the hands of their lawyers, with the next hearing of the case scheduled for the middle of October.

Dickey remains out until September 2003

The Grand Performance/Bianchi team has confirmed the suspension of one of their riders, Duane Dickey, who tested positive for boldenone, nandrolone and phentermine while competing in the Tour of Guatemala on October 28, 2001. The US Anti-Doping Authority (USADA) recently announced Dickey's suspension, which will end on September 1, 2003.

The Board of Directors of the St. Paul Bicycle Racing Club, who run the Grand Performance/Bianchi team, said that it would begin testing their elite racers. "SPBRC has in place a zero tolerance policy for riders using prohibited substances," said spokesman and SPBRC President Phil Stringer.

"Although amateur teams are rarely tested, amateur teams rarely compete with pro teams at this level. The decision to test our Elite racers will demonstrate our commitment to our anti-doping policy. And, there will be no doubt in anyone's mind why these guys are performing; they are great riders. We challenge other teams to follow our lead in the testing of their riders." stated Stringer.

Dickey was removed from the team's roster as soon as the first positive test was known.

WADA and IOC release new banned substance list

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has released along with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) an updated list of banned substances and methods. The new list will become effective January 1, 2003, replacing the current list which went into effect in May 2001.

What makes this new list notable is the first reference to genetic doping in the prohibited methods section. WADA's president, Richard W. Pound, released the following statement on the subject:

"By introducing the notion of genetic doping into the list at this time, we at WADA and the IOC are taking into account the important changes occurring in doping techniques. New medical technologies may pose new challenges in the fight against doping, but we, together with the scientific and medical communities, are ready to meet those challenges.

KNWU wants Topcompetitie back

The Koninklijke Nederlandse Wielren Unie (KNWU) desires the return of the Dutch Topcompetitie, a season long competition for elite and trade team III riders. The Topcompetitie could not be held this year after the KNWU could not reach an agreement with the organisers and the riders about some of the rules, in particular a maximum age limit of 27. The KNWU want it to be a series where young riders can learn and develop, but some of the older riders disagreed.

For next season, the KNWU has planned a series of six races, preferring to hold them on Saturdays.

New route for Race Across America

The 21st edition Race Across America, commonly known as RAAM, will take place over a new route in 2003. Riders will start from San Diego's Mission Bay on June 15 and finish in Atlantic City, as early as June 22. Two-person and four-person teams will depart later. The new route covers approximately 3,025 miles (4876 km), replacing the 2,992-mile Portland-to-Pensacola route followed for the last three years.

"The time of year and the route makes for a combination to set records on, so look for some new RAAM record attempts," said Jim Pitre, RAAM's Managing Director.

"Some of the best scenery is in the Southwest. Arizona and New Mexico offer exciting climbs and downhills, including a wild ride down Mingus Mountain through the old mining town of Jerome, Arizona. Also, there is the promise of tailwinds through the Oklahoma panhandle as the route heads Northeasterly through the area."

The route passes through (amongst other places) San Diego, Phoenix, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Amarillo, Dodge City, Wichita, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Columbus, Cincinnati, Wheeling, and Baltimore/Washington, as well as historical ground such as Sharpstown, Hagersburg, Gettysburg, and Chadds Ford.

Lynne Taylor attempts UK long distance records

UK cyclist Lynne Taylor of the Walsall Roads Cycling Club has begun her attack on three of the longest records for women on the books of the Road Records Association: the 24 hours, the 840 mile Land's End to John O'Groats and the 1,000 miles.

Lynne has waited nearly three months for favourable weather conditions and at last, just as she was about to cancel the attempt for this year, the winds have begun to turn in the right direction. So, at 6am this morning (1st October) she set off from the front door of the Land's End Hotel for the long journey northwards. You can follow Lynne's progress at www.abcc.freeserve.co.uk/taylorl1.html

Little 500 Founder dies

Howard "Howdy" Wilcox, founder of the famous Little 500 race at Indiana University, died Monday morning at the age of 82. The Little 500, immortalized in the film Breaking Away, began in 1951. The race was inspired by the Indianapolis 500 auto race, which Wilcox's father had won in 1919.

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