News for September 13, 2002

Edited by Jeff Jones and Chris Henry

Edita Rumsas's pharmacy unveiled

The full list of medications in Edita Rumsas's possession was disclosed in today's l'Equipe, with no fewer than 37 different substances named, some of which are considered doping products, specifically growth hormones and testosterone, with corticoids, insulin and caffeine legal under certain conditions/quantities. There is so far no proof to connect the cache to Raimondas Rumsas and his Tour de France campaign, with both Raimondas and Edita claiming that the products were destined for Edita's mother.

Raimondas Rumsas, who spoke with French police for nearly two hours in Italy, has maintained that his Tour de France was clean.

The following are the substances and quantities seized from Mrs. Rumsas on July 28th:

3 flasks of Actovegin
1 flask of Norditropin penset 24 (growth hormone)
1 flask of TAD 600
1 flask of solvent for Norditropin
1 injection of Actrapid Novolet (insulin)
1 box of Spascupreel
1 box of albumine humaine 20 %
1 box of Ubichinon Compositum (co-enzyme Q)
2 boxes of Thyreoida Compositum (hormone extracts)
3 boxes of Testis Compositum (hormone extracts)
2 ampoules of Coffeinum (caffeine)
1 ampoule of Celestone (anti-inflammatory)
1 ampoule of Benexol B12 5000 (vitamins)
3 ampoules of Ketonal
3 flasks of Kenacort retard (corticoids)
1 box of Toco 500 (vitamin E)
1 bottle of sodium chloride 0.9
3 capsules of No Spa Forte
15 capsules of Durvitan (caffeine)
10 ampoules and one tablet of Pentohexal 300 (vasodilator)
1 box and three tablets of MAG 2 (magnesium)
12 capsules of Ozothine
15 capsules of Optalidon
2 packets of Eurythrox 50
2 boxes of Immunoferon (immuno-stimulants)
2 boxes of Trofalgon
1 box of Androderm (testosterone)
6 capsules and one ampoule of Alphalipon (improves nervous functions)
2 tablets of Stilnox
4 capsules of Oltramp
30 tablets of Bentelan (corticoids)
30 tablets and 4 ampoules of Voltaren (anti-inflammatory)
3 tablets of Praxilen
1 tablet of Cafiaspirina (caffeine and aspirin)
1 ampoule of sterile water and one flask of Haes-Steril
1 flask of Geref (enhances production of endogenous HG)

Ullrich still on CSC Tiscali's most-wanted list

By John Eustice

Former Tour de France-winner Jan Ullrich has got more than his newly operated knee to think about; for instance, exactly where his future in cycling lies (writes Susanne Horsdal). His current sponsor Telekom has already offered the German star a contract, which he has apparently yet to sign...at reduced salary, though, compared to the one he had before he received his six months ban.

Now, CSC Tiscali has shown renewed interest in Ullrich, who's currently recovering from his second knee operation this year. Team manager Bjarne Riis admits to having a dialogue with his former teammate, but denies having given him a specific offer, stating the insecurity about sponsor Tiscali's future with the team as the problem. The Italian IT-provider still hasn't decided if they'll stay on for next year.

"If we get the money, we're interested (in signing Ullrich)," Riis has told Danish paper B.T.

However, Riis has always stressed that he doesn't want to cause a stir in his relationship with Telekom because of Ullrich. "I don't want to be the one who signs Ullrich. Jan has to find out for himself what he wants," Riis says.

Riis and Ullrich got close when they helped each other win the Tour de France for Telekom in 1996 (Riis) and 1997 (Ullrich) and has kept in touch since. Meanwhile, Jan Ullrich has told the German media that he's now free of pain from his knee and expects to begin training for next season in October.

Index-Alexia and Team Coast behind in payments

The UCI is prepared to intervene in the financial situations of Team Coast and Index-Alexia, according to a Reuters report this week. Team Coast is reported to be two months behind in salary payment to certain team personnel, while this year's Giro d'Italia winner Paolo Savoldelli has confirmed that he has not been paid by Index-Alexia since May.

The Italian team's financial difficulties had been cited by some sources as a possible contributing factor to Savoldelli's withdrawal from the Vuelta. However, his dislocated right shoulder may also have had something to do with that.

Mirjam Melchers looking for World Cup honours in Rotterdam

This Sunday's Rotterdam Tour marks the final round of the women's World Cup, which started in Australia in March. The nine race series has been fiercely contested throughout the year, with the lead oscillating between German sprinter Petra Rossner (Saturn) and Dutch all rounder Mirjam Melchers (Farm Frites Hartol). The difference between the two coming into the final round is just 13 points, meaning that Melchers has to finish in front of Rossner in Rotterdam, or not too far behind her. Rossner will have to finish in at least 9th place to gain the requisite 13 points, but will also have to be wary of Melchers. If Rossner wins or finishes second (and in front of Melchers), then she will win the World Cup.

Farm Frites-Hartol will be sending its strongest team to help Melchers in her quest, with Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel, Anouska van der Zee, Madeleine Lindberg, Sissy van Alebeek and Arenda Grimberg. Van Moorsel and Van der Zee have interrupted their track preparation for the World Championships in order to help Melchers on Sunday.

Van Moorsel to ride both events in Zolder

Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel will be on the hunt for two world road titles in Zolder next month. The Olympic time trial and road champion will ride both these events despite being doubtful about the time trial earlier. Certain to join Van Moorsel are Mirjam Melchers and Debby Mansveld, with three more names to be decided after the Rotterdam Tour on the weekend.

Chantal Beltman injured

Chantal Beltman (Acca Due O) will be forced to miss the Rotterdam Tour this Sunday due to an injury sustained in the Holland Ladies Tour when she tore her pelvis in a crash. Her teammate Diana Ziliute will not be riding on Sunday, also after crashing in the Holland Ladies Tour. Ziliute hopes to be fit enough to ride the World's in Zolder on October 12.

Tchmil/Braeckevelt team getting closer

According to Belgian Teletekst, the 'new' Belgian division II team involving Andrei Tchmil and Jef Braeckevelt is getting closer to fruition. Tchmil has been talking to Russian gas company Itera, which will reportedly invest € 1.5 million into the team. It's also reported that Noel Demeulenaere will be involved in the team with a new co-sponsor. Two months ago, Demeulenaere was linked with a Division I team with ABX Logistics as the head sponsor.

Jef Braeckevelt and Piotr Ugrumov are named as be the directors of the team, with Russians Pavel Tonkov, Dmitri Konychev, Evgueni Petrov and Ukrainian Serguei Gontchar as some of the riders. It is not known how this will effect the current Itera setup, which is a Division II development squad for up and coming Russian riders.

Verstrepen for two years at Landbouwkrediet-Colnago

Johan Verstrepen will follow his teammate and friend Ludo Dierckxsens to the Landbouwkrediet-Colnago team for the next two seasons. Verstrepen and Dierckxsens currently ride for Lampre-Daikin.

CSC-Tiscali for upcoming races:

Paris-Bruxelles - Saturday, September 14

Julian Dean, Tristan Hoffman, Paul van Hyfte, Nicolas Jalabert, Raphäel Jeune, Danny Jonasson, Arvis Piziks, Franck Schleck (reserve),

GP de Fourmies - Sunday, September 15

Michael Blaudzun, Thomas Bruun Eriksen, Laurent Jalabert, Nicolas Jalabert, Raphäel Jeune, Jimmi Madsen, Bjarke Nielsen, Jakob Piil.

Index Alexia for Paris-Bruxelles

Marco Battiston, Bo Hamburger, Daniele Righi, Eddy Serri, Gianluca Valoti, Paolo Valoti, Mauro Zinetti. Director sportif: Ennio Vanotti

Longo to race in Univest

Jeannie Longo, considered the greatest ever women's cyclist, will race in the 53 km Univest Women's Grand Prix. The 43 year old Frenchwoman is using the race as part of her preparation to defend her Time Trial World Championship on October 9th in Zolder, Belgium.

Longo's palmares include: 1996 Olympic Road Champion, 12 time World Champion, three time champion of the Tour Féminin, holder of 37 World Records, 42-time French National Champion, and possessor of 28 World Championship and Olympic medals. She has won titles on the track, on the road, and in mountain biking.

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