First Edition News for February 20, 2003Edited by John Stevenson Costs confusion threatens Hamilton worldsThe Hamilton Spectator reports that the 2003 World Road Championships is in jeopardy because city councillor are unhappy at the prospect of host city Hamilton Ontario having to foot a bill of up to Can$10 million for the event - far more than the Can$400,000 the city was expecting to pay. While the costs, which include a Can$6 million liability fund to cover possible lawsuits, and up to Can$3.5 million for police, emergency services and road closures, are not definite, city councillor have refused to have the city exposed to the possibility of such a large bill. They have therefore given city manager Bob Robertson two weeks to negotiate with race organizers a contract limiting the city's costs to $400,000. Without such a contract, Hamilton is likely to pull the plug on the championships. As councillor Murray Ferguson put it, "No money, no go." These matters are still being discussed eight months out from the event because the city's contract with the World's local organizing committee has not been finalised, in turn because agreements between the international, Canadian and Hamilton organizing committees were only finalized at the end of December, according to Hamilton mayor Bob Wade. "There have been a series of reports that clearly identify the potential for the city's contribution but those reports were based on the city's costs being picked up by the cycling corporation and that's not part of their present budget as we understand it. That's one of the issues were going to deal with," said Wade. The final contract should clear up these issues, according to Neil Lumsden, chief operating officer of the Hamilton 2003 world's. "What I'm hearing is there are some specific costs that are running more than what they want to spend," he said. But the final contract will clarify the costs and who is responsible for them. "That's when the lines in the sand will be clear as far as what everyone's responsibilities are." Most of the 2003 World's Can$12.5 million funding will come from provincial and federal government sources. Ontario has committed to providing Can$2.25 million and Can$1.25 million is expected from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and a further $10 million will come from the federal government's Heritage department. Maxxis goes up a notch with 7-UpPreviously Team 7-Up's tyre sponsor for 2003, Maxxis has stepped up its involvement with the squad to become cosponsor for the team that will now be known as 7-Up/Maxxis. While neither party is talking details, Maxxis will be providing some of the team's financing for 2003, as well, of course, as all the tyres they can eat. The deal comes about as part of Maxxis' ongoing push into the road cycling market. Known for its mountain bike and BMX tyres, Maxxis has introduced a broad range of road tyres over the last couple of years and is keen to use 7-Up/Maxxis and sister team Diet Rite as a research and development platform. Maxxis marketing co-ordinator Chance Regina said, "they seem eager to help us with our research and development which is a very important part of our sponsorship program. We felt that it was a great investment in a great team." We expect to see a John Lieswyn signature tyre any day now. Rossner & Arndt train with Sydney locals
2002 Women's World Cup Champion Petra Rossner (Equipe Nurnberger) and team-mate German champion Judith Arndt have based themselves in Sydney for their preparation for the first round of the women's World Cup to be held in Geelong, Victoria on Sunday 2 March 2003. Both riders have been using Sydney's Randwick Botany Cycling Club as their base for their stay in Sydney, and have been joining club members in early morning training rides round the city's hilly eastern suburbs area. Trek-VW 2003The UCI number one ranked MTB team, Trek-Volkswagen has announced its full roster for the 2003 season, with a line-up virtually unchanged from 2002. World Champion Roland Green (who will also be spending time on the road with US Postal this year) returns as the team's principal male cross-country rider, along with Travis Brown, Susan Haywood, and Alison Sydor. On the downhill and four-cross side, Wade Bootes is back while former junior world downhill champion Mio Suemasa joins the team to bolster its chances in women's downhill. The team's season starts with a training camp in Sedona, Arizona in early March, followed by its first racing outing at the Nova Desert Classic in Phoenix, Arizona. Team RosterRiders Travis Brown (USA, Cross Country) Staff Team Manager: Eric Wallace Sponsors Trek Bicycle Corporation Tasmanians join overseas cycling contingentBy Matt Conn Two Tasmanians will be making their living on the European professional road circuit this year, but neither will be racing their bikes. Leigh Bryan and Dani Joss will both be working alongside the worlds top professional cyclists in support roles this season. Bryan will be based in Toulouse, France where he will be working with new Australian road champion, Stuart O'Grady. O'Grady and Bryan first met 12 years ago when they were teammates at the junior track worlds in Colorado. As well as fitness and training advice, part of Bryan's role will be to keep the former Tour de France yellow jersey wearer relaxed and focused throughout the year. Dani Joss, who competed regularly in Tasmania in the early nineties, has gained formal massage qualifications and is now part of the Belgian/Australian team, Flanders I-teamnova. Joss had her baptism of fire at the Tour of Langkawi earlier this month and will travel with the squad throughout their European campaign, which is to be based in Oudenaarde, Belgium. Fastest Burglar on WheelsFriday night at Auckland New Zealand's Manukau Velodrome sees the Fastest Burglar on Wheels competition, a three lap sprint Derby for B-Grade and Women riders. To qualify for the derby a rider must be in the top six in the Women and B-Grade omnium, consisting of Women & B-Grade 6000m Scratch, and 3-lap handicap, B-Grade Elimination and Womens Keirin. Non-qualifiers are sentenced to Hard Labour in the Unknown Distance Win & Out consolation race. Although veteran sprinter Neil Ludlam is unbeaten this year in B-Grade short distance races, the qualification process will certainly put the pressure on. Distance specialists such as Nigel Hunt and National Treasure Sarah Ulmer will be trying to keep the sprinters out of the points in the 6km scratch and B-Grade elimination. Ludlam's old rival Mark McLean and 1996 Olympian Donna Wynd can't be discounted if they can qualify for the final. For more details see manukau.velodrome.co.nz NRC status for Joe Martin Stage RaceOne of 2003's many additions to USA Cycling's National race Calendar (top-level races that carry points in the organisation's season-long competition) is the 26th edition of Fayetteville Arkansas's Joe Martin Stage Race, which this year offers over $40,000 in cash and prizes. Over the weekend of May 9-11 the event will feature two road races, an uphill time trial and a criterium. The pro men's cash purse is $15,000, and there's $7,000 up for grabs for pro women. The pro-only road race on Friday May 9 features a 113 mile course with 5,000ft of climbing for the men, and 70 miles/3,000ft for the women. The race finishes in the retail and entertainment district of downtown Fayetteville, and fans are expected to line the streets to cheer on the riders. Saturday morning's road race will be held on a 23-mile loop with 1,500 feet of climbing per lap. The pro men will race 92 miles and the pro women 69 miles. T's followed by Saturday afternoon's hill-climb time trial, over a 2.5 mile course with an average grade of 6.8 percent in Devil's Den State Park near Winslow, Arkansas. Finally, Sunday's criterium will be held in downtown Fayetteville on a 1.2 mile course with eight 90-degree turns, a fast downhill section and one tough climb to the finish.
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