News for January 15, 2003

Edited by Jeff Jones

Police search Zanette's home

Italian police have carried out a search of the recently deceased Denis Zanette's home in Sacile. The police were looking for any clues pointing towards his untimely death, including doping substances, however they did not find anything.

"We have not found any useful elements to clarify the death of the rider," said Pordenone prosecutor, Antonella Dragotto.

Furthermore, the results of Denis Zanette's autopsy carried out in Padova by Dr. Santo Davide Ferrara today point to a possible congenital heart condition. "A cardiac pathology, perhaps congenital, difficult to diagnose without invasive clinical examinations, aggravated by a badly treated bronchial 'flu," read the report. Both Zanette's father and grandfather died under similar circumstances.

However, Dr Ferrara cautioned that (quoted in French sports daily L'Equipe), "His death seems natural, but I can't rule out that it was linked to doping."

The results of the chemical and toxicology tests are expected to be known in a month's time, according to prosecutor Dragotto, who also authorised that the body could be taken away for the funeral, which will be held on Thursday.

Bartoli critical

Denis Zanette's Fassa Bortolo teammate Michele Bartoli, who is currently recovering from a broken pelvis, wrote about Zanette on his website, www.michelebartoli.it. "The unbelievable tragedy of this young friend and his family shows us the meaning of life and teaches us how much our existence can be iniquitous. Denis has left a real gap in his family (I imagine how much his wife and his daughters are suffering) and among his numerous friends he, a kind and simple boy, had won all hearts of thanks to his loyalty. I miss Denis very much, we all miss him very much."

Bartoli also asked people to respect Zanette's family's feelings, and was particularly critical of those who said it was due to doping. "...I wonder why someone disgraces Denis' memory even before the autopsy. I wonder how they can find such cold explanations so superficially, while this great sorrow should only be respected in peace. I think that with Denis' death cycling has lost a real professional, a man with a great seriousness and admirable athletic qualities."

Fanini vows to fight on

Apparently not impressed by the urgings of Hein Verbruggen and Lance Armstrong to stay silent and leave the world of cycling, the patron of Amore e Vita, Ivano Fanini, has counter-attacked.

Fanini accused Verbruggen of preventing him from speaking the truth on this subject, but he stated that he would not follow in the footsteps of another outspoken anti-doping proponent, Dr. Giorgio Squinzi, who pulled Mapei's €10 million/year sponsorship out of cycling last year.

Fanini said that he would not succumb to any pressure to leave the cycling scene, and that he'll continue his battle for a better and cleaner sport, a fight were he hopes to be joined by other teams.

Courtesy of João Cravo

Ullrich must apply for Swiss license

Jan Ullrich, who is expected to sign his contract with Team Coast on Wednesday, will have to apply for a Swiss racing license, due to the fact that he currently lives there. Ullrich moved from Merdingen, Germany last November to the shores of Lake Constance in Switzerland.

However, even if he has Swiss residency, Ullrich can still compete for Germany in the World Championships and Olympic Games, provided he makes himself available for German drug testing. On the other hand, as was the case with Richard Virenque and Stefano Garzelli, the Swiss cycling federation will be responsible for any sanctions related to doping.

UCI Cyclo-cross rankings

The UCI has issued its first set of cyclo-cross rankings for 2003. Since late December there have been no major changes to the top 10, with World Champion Mario De Clercq (1849 pts) still holding sway over Richard Groenendaal (1770 pts) and Sven Nijs (1675 pts). With eight of the top 10 rankings being Belgians, it's also no surprise that Belgium continues to dominate the nations rankings, with 6307 points compared to the Netherlands' 3265 points.

Rankings as of January 12, 2003

Individuals

1 Mario De Clercq (Bel)                        1849 pts
2 Richard Groenendaal (Ned)                    1770
3 Sven Nijs (Bel)                              1675
4 Bart Wellens (Bel)                           1275
5 Tom Vannoppen (Bel)                           787
6 Erwin Vervecken (Bel)                         721
7 Ben Berden (Bel)                              706
8 Gerben De Knegt (Ned)                         655
9 Peter Van Santvliet (Bel)                     521
10 Sven Vanthourenhout (Bel)                    508

Nations

1 Belgium                                      6307 pts
2 Netherlands                                  3265
3 Czech Republic                               1365
4 Switzerland                                  1277
5 U.S.A.                                       1085

More rankings

Nijs to decide after Paris-Roubaix

Belgian cyclo-cross star Sven Nijs will make a decision on his future career after this year's Paris-Roubaix. The Rabobank rider, who has previously ridden that classic, was quoted in the Belgian VUM newspapers as saying "Then I'll decide whether I want to ride the Vuelta, and therefore choose the road. But it is so difficult to step away from something that you are really good at."

Luxembourg World's team

The four person Luxembourg team has been selected for the World Cyclo-cross Championships in Monopoli, Italy next month. It consists of Gusty Bausch and Pascal Triebel (Elite Men), Marc Ernster (U23 Men) and Jempy Drucker (Junior).

Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under news

Australia's up and coming cyclists will have the opportunity to race against the world's elite in the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under, that takes place from January 21-26. Nine Australian Institute of Sport scholarship holders will race in this year's event and have been in Adelaide at a pre-race training camp for the past two weeks.

Eight of the scholarship riders will race for the United Water team whilst local rider Gene Bates will line up for UniSA. One of them is Peter Dawson, reigning world and Commonwealth Games champion and world record holder, who has already started the year on a winning note, claiming the Australian Criterium title recently in Perth.

United Water (and 2002 career highlights)

Peter Dawson (WA)

1st Teams Pursuit World Championships (Den)
1st (World Record) Teams Pursuit Commonwealth Games (GBr)
1st Individual Pursuit Australian Championships
2003 Australian Criterium Champion, January 5 - Perth

Brendan Cato (NSW)

2002 was first year in Australian U/23 Program
6th Time Trial, 7th Criterium, 8th Road Race Australian U/23 Road Championships

Aaron Kemps (Qld)

Three top 10's in Thüringen Rundfahrt U/23 Tour
3rd Time Trial Australian U/23 Road Championships

David Betts (Qld)

15th Overall Australian National Road Series
2nd Road Race, 5th Time Trial, 6th Criterium Australian U/23 Road Championships

Bernard Sulzberger (Tas)

Returns to racing full time after time out to complete apprenticeship
19th Overall Australian National Road Series
4th Criterium, 10th Road Race Australian U/23 Road Championships

Lee Godfrey (Vic)

1st U/23 Coppa de Nazione (Time Trial) (Ita)
1st Grafton to Inverell
1st Time Trial, 3rd Criterium Australian U/23 Road Championships

Ashley Hutchinson (Qld)

Member Australian Track Endurance Squad
2nd Team Sprint Australian Track Championships
7th Scratch Race Commonwealth Games (GBr)

Mark Renshaw (NSW)

1st Teams Pursuit World Championships (Den)
1st (World Record) Teams Pursuit Commonwealth Games (GBr)
1st Teams Pursuit, Scratch Race & Points Race Australian Track Championships
1st Points Race and 2nd Madison & Teams Pursuit Track World Cup (Aus)
Winner George Adams Trophy for Ride of the Series Australian Track Championships

UniSA

Gene Bates (SA)

5th Stage 3 Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under
4th Stage 4 Tour of Japan

Rogers on his chances

Speaking to a TV reporter, defending JCTDU champion Mick Rogers said he expected to be marked a lot more, but he was certainly after win number 2. Rogers said that as the race grows in stature as an international event and the quality of the field, it will become increasingly harder to win.

Hulsmans injured

Kevin Hulsmans (Quick Step - Davitamon) was involved in a road accident on Tuesday morning in Adelaide when he was returning with the rest of the team to their hotel after training. Hulsmans, who is taking part in the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under, was hit by a car near a junction, badly hurting his left leg as he fell. The 24 year old from Lommel was immediately taken to hospital, where he underwent X-rays on his leg. The results of the X-rays seem to confirm that he hasn't broken any bones. He has been told to rest completely for three days; tomorrow he will undergo further specific examinations.

Saturn for Langkawi

The Saturn Cycling Team will be making its return to Malaysia after a year's break, and is confident of achieving some good results with former LTDL champion Chris Horner and Australian time trial specialist Nathan O'Neill. Saturn have set their sights and mind to "race hard and look for opportunities" in the 10-day Tour.

The team regard Malaysia as a safe country and has no fear at all flying to Malaysia to compete in the race. "Moreover, the organisation of the Tour is simply superb," said Giana Roberge, assistant general manager of Saturn.

Roberge said, having won the overall title in 2000 (with the then Mercury team), Horner's experience will surely come in handy for the team. Armed with an impressive racing record last year, the 31 year-old Californian, is hoping for bigger feats outside American soil. Horner racked up overall wins at the Redlands and Sea Otter Bicycle Classics and finished the 2002 season as the USA's No. 1 domestic rider.

Australian Nathan O'Neill has sweet memories of Malaysia, having won a stage in the 2001 LTdL with the then Panaria outfit. O'Neill will be Saturn's main man for stage honours and in time trial.

"In Horner and O'Neill, we seem to have experienced and capable veterans leading our young riders like Tom Danielson and Charles Dionne," said Roberge.

Danielson, 24, is a strong climber but has great potential as a good time triallist. Canadian Dionne, meanwhile, rocketed to fame last year after winning the San Francisco Grand Prix, out sprinting some of America's top cyclists including four-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong.

"We always feel good about coming to Malaysia to kick off the season because we know we can depend on the great organisation, challenging terrain, great competition and a safe course," added Roberge.

"We aim to be competitive, to be the race animators and we also look forward to 10 days of hard racing and putting together a good team effort."

The other members of the team are former US Cyclo-Cross national champion Tim Johnson, Phil Zajicek, and noted time trial specialist Canadian Eric Wohlberg.

Rabobank presentation live

On Wednesday, January 15, the Rabobank team will be presented to the fans and press in Papendal. The team has promised a "spectacular cycling show" beginning from 15:30 European time. For those who can't make it, it's possible to follow the presentation live (from 16:30) on the internet via Rabobank's website.

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