First Edition News for March 26, 2003Edited by John Stevenson Armstrong nervous about safetyLance Armstrong, who is currently riding the Setmana Catalana stage race in Northern Spain, has told Spanish media sources that safety is a concern for him now that US, British and Australian forces are in action in Iraq. Talking to Catalan regional television and the daily El Periodoco, Armstrong said, "I do have fears because of being an American, I'm not going to deny it." The accessibility of cycling made athletes vulnerable, Armstrong said, particularly at crowded mountain stage finishes where the riders are moving slowly and often in small groups. "For example, on Thursday I'll be climbing up to Pal and there are certain to be people on the roads. The people will be close to me and they could have contact with me. It's one of the differences between my sport and others like football or Formula One. People are in contact with the cyclists but not footballers or F1 drivers. "People must make a clear distinction between sport and politics. I'd like it if cycling fans could make that distinction. I don't represent one side or the other, but I do represent a sponsor. I'm an athlete and that's all," he said. Pantani: back in the saddle againBy Tim Maloney, European Editor
The last time Marco Pantani won a bike race, it was in July 2000, when he took stage 15 of the Tour de France to Courchevel ahead of Jose Maria Jimenez. It was an epic day for Pantani, and with over seven million Italian TV viewers, a broadcast record for cycling. Despite his ups and downs since then, Pantani is still the people's champion in Italy; the man the tifosi love to love as he climbs the mountain peaks in his own inimitable manner. Today, Pantani will make his long-awaited comeback in the Settimana Coppi & Bartali as leader of the Mercatone Uno-Scanavino team. The enigmatic 33 year old climber has one goal for 2003 and one goal only: the Giro d'Italia. "That's where the real Pantani can return," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "Right now, my real desire to test myself in a race is very strong. I really want to make this comeback work."
Pantani's long-time friend and once again teammate Roberto Conti, at 38 one of the most experienced riders in pro cycling was positive in his appreciation of Pantani. "We have been training together a lot since December and I see that Marco is very relaxed and focused. He has a big desire to race, to test himself against others and that is a big change in him from a few years ago." After Coppi & Bartali, Pantani will ride the Tour of the Basque Country, Tour of Aragon, Giro del Trentino and several tough single day climbing races in Italy such as GP Appennino prior to the Giro. "I've made some important choices in my life over the last few years," exclaimed Pantani. "I've gone far from home to train for a long time, I broke up with my fiance... now the bike comes before everything else." Marco Pantani is nothing if not expressive as you can see in these images from his press conference by Fotoreporter Sirotti
Pezzo returnsBy Tim Maloney, European Editor
Cyclingnews caught up with Paola Pezzo this week after she competed in her first official cycling event since 2001. Pezzo rode in the Gran Fondo Laigueglia, a mountain bike marathon event but was not an "official" participant. "Since it was my first time in a long time in an event, I had some trouble keeping up on the first climb," Pezzo told Cyclingnews, "but once we hit the technical single track I was happy." Pezzo finished the GF Laigueglia "about 100th" out of 800 riders and was was satisfied with her first semi-competitive outing in years. Paola and her long time companion and coach Paolo Rosola had a child last November and now that Kevin is four months old, Paola is able to get out and train again. She has re-signed with Gary Fisher Bicycles for 2003, her long-time sponsor.
The week before Laigueglia, Pezzo took part in a Italian Cycling Federation mountain bike team training camp. Italian team manager Alfonso Morelli wanted Pezzo to participate at least to begin the process towards potentially competing in the 2004 Olympics in Athens. "I have to follow certain protocols established by the Italian Olympic team to even be eligible to be selected," explained Pezzo. "I'm not certain what I'll do next year, but I just want to ride again." Pezzo will ride her own Gran Fondo Paola Pezzo on Sunday April 20 in Garda and will focus on her build-up to the first ever World Marathon Championship in Lugano, Switzerland on August 31. "I'm the spokesperson for the World MTB Championships in Lugano and this marathon championship seems like a lot of fun," said Pezzo. "After that, I'll see if I want to make all the sacrifices and go through the suffering that it will take to make a competitive comeback." With two Olympic MTB cross-country gold medals already, if Pezzo does decide to make her return, she should be a strong contender for a third Olympic MTB cross-country medal. Milano-San Remo TV ratings fallSaturday's Milano-San Remo had respectable TV ratings on Italy's Rai3 network. The program aired from 3:00 to 4:30pm and according to Auditel ratings, the broadcast had almost two million viewers (1,932,000 viewers 12+) with a 15.9 percent share, out-rating the GP Malaysia Formula 1 which attracted around a million viewers. However, this year's edition had lower ratings than in 2002, with 2,280,000 viewers 21+ and a 21% share. Although the war in Iraq likely took some viewers away from Milano-San Remo, it's likely that more Italian viewers might have watched had the ever-popular Marco Pantani been allowed into the race. Teams announced for LBLRace organizers have announced the 25 Division I teams invited to the 2003 Liège-Bastogne-Liège, April 27. The line-up covers nine countries and consists of: Belgium: Lotto - Domo; Landbouwkrediet - Colnago; Palmans - Collstrop;
Quick-Step - Davitamon 2003 Ras Mumhan set to be best yetBy Tommy Campbell The Credit Union Ras Mumhan has established its rightful place on the cycling calendar as one of the premier races in the country. It has done so in a short number of years thanks to the energetic committee behind the four day event. This year's edition starts on Good Friday, April 18 in the Kingdom, Co. Kerry, and looks like being the strongest yet. The Ras Mumhan's Tadgh Moriarty said, "There has been great interest from Britain and also there are a number of French teams who may make the journey to Kerry in April for the four day event. The fact that the event is based in Killorglin is a bonus for all concerned." The 2003 Ras Mumhan starts with a 2.6 mile time trial on the Donal McKenna Circuit. On Saturday the Nissan Ring of Kerry stage is over 100 miles, including two category one climbs at Molls Gap and Coomakista. Easter Sunday sees the 91 mile Irish Ferries stage with a sting in the tail of the Conor Pass included in the climbing and a number of other category two and three passages. On Monday the wrap is the Western Union stage (58 miles), which will be based in the host town of Killorglin, known for its Puck Fair in August. Kevin Dawson of the Life Repair CRT team (formerly Compensation Group) will defend his title next month though his teammates, Mark Lovatt and John Tanner will be absent because of other commitments. Both played a pivotal role in securing victory for him last season, but Graham Briggs and Mark Bammeir should be well capable of filling their shoes. There are a number of innovations this year for the event with a second category classification, under 23 award and international and Irish team prizes which should make competition interesting. The Mumhan also provides a showcase and springboard for riders with ambitions of participating in the FBD Milk Ras in May. Armstrong and Chausson nominated for awardsIt's not often that four-time Tour winner Lance Armstrong and 13 time world downhill and slalom champion Anne-Caroline Chausson figure in the same story; in fact we think this is the first. Both riders have been nominated in the Laureus World Sports Awards, Armstrong in the "World Sportsman of the Year' category and Chausson for 'World Alternative Sportsperson of the Year'. Armstrong faces some tough competition wth other nominations going to biathlete Ole Einar Bjoerndalen; footballer Ronaldo; Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher; and golfer Tiger Woods. If you're as vague as we are on the notion of an alternative sport, the other nominees in Chausson's category may be illuminating: Snowboarder Kelly Clark; Stakeboarder Pierre-Luc Gagnon, climber Dean Potter and ultramarathon swimmer Martin Strel. Lots of attractions at Westral CarnivalThis Saturday night, March 29 sees the 2003 edition of Western Australia's big annual wheelrace, the Westral. With the aim of making it an evening out the whole family can enjoy, the organizers of the Unicorn Design & Print Westral Carnival have included in the programme BMX racing, a corporate challenge and a swap meet as well as the traditional scratch races, eliminations, motor paces and of course the Westral Wheelrace itself. The evening will also host the West Australian state elimination championships. The action starts at 5.30 at the Speed Dome, Midvale, Saturday March 29. Jared Bunde benefitUS category one track racer Jared Bunde is jumping across to the road after being accepted to the American Belgian Cycling Center, the Oostend, Belgium-based program that introduces promising U.S. amateur riders to European racing. He will spend the next three months in Flemish Kermesse races, and in U.C.I. races elsewhere in northwestern Europe. To send him off, and raise some funds to help cover his expenses a group of Jared's friends from the New York cycling community have organized a benefit event to help him take up the chance to race in Europe. The benefit dinner at 211 West 28th Street New York, NY takes place this Thursday March 27, 7:30-9:30pm and features guest speakers Jack Simes III and John Eustice. Jackie Simes III was one of a very few Americans competing in European track cycling during the 1960s. He represented the U.S. in Olympic track cycling and was a World Championship silver medalist in the kilometer. He also coached the national team and is a former president of USPRO. He presently lives near Trexlertown, PA, where he works on a number of cycling projects. John Eustice was one of the pioneering Americans to go over to Europe in the 1970s. He worked his way up through the amateur system there, and then turned pro. As a journeyman pro, he rode for several European professional teams, and then led several American pro teams that split time between Europe and the United States. John is a two-time USPRO champion, and has ridden most of the toughest races in Europe including both the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a Espana. He is currently a race commentator and promoter based in New York City. Catering will be by Mama's of East 3rd Street and the cost is a suggested donation of $40. The largest contributor of the evening will receive an exquisite piece of work by Nanci Modica, goldsmith. The event location is Susan McWhinney's studio: 211 West 28th St, 6th floor (between 7th & 8th Avenues). Entrance is opposite the north wall of Fashion Institute of Technology. If downstairs door is locked ring buzzer for #6 (Curry / McWhinney, tel. 212-494-0412). Bike-friendly building - bring 'em up.
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