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Dauphiné Libéré
Photo ©: Sirotti

News for May 2, 2002

Edited by Jeff Jones

Tour de France team selection

Five or six? French or foreign?

The Societe du Tour de France will name the final wild card team selections tomorrow (May 2) for this year's Tour de France. The STF may name between five and six teams to make a total of 21 or 22 in the race: many observers believe that they will opt for the smaller number this year, in line with conventional regulations. As always, there are far more candidates than places, and the selection will certainly not please everyone.

The 16 pre-qualified teams are as follows: Mapei-Quick Step, Fassa Bortolo, Alessio, Tacconi Sport, Lampre-Daikin (all Italy), Lotto-Adecco, Domo-Farm Frites (Belgium), Rabobank (Netherlands), ibanesto.com, Euskaltel-Euskadi, ONCE, Kelme (Spain), Cofidis (France), Telekom (Germany), US Postal (USA) and CSC-Tiscali (Denmark).

The 13 remaining teams competing for a spot are as follows: Team Coast (Casero), Gerolsteiner (Rebellin), Acqua e Sapone (Cipollini), Saeco-Longoni Sport (Simoni), Mercatone Uno (Pantani), Française des Jeux (Casar), Ag2r (Kirsipuu), Bonjour (Rous), BigMat (Heulot), Crédit Agricole (Moreau), Jean Delatour (Brochard), St Quentin-Oktos (Rinero), and Phonak (Camenzind)

There are seven French teams who are vying for a spot, with Credit Agricole and Bonjour almost certain to get in. In addition, the organisers have to ensure that there are at least 30 French riders in the Tour - a long standing rule imposed by Jean-Marie Leblanc. Given that Cofidis and Credit Agricole have a lot of foreign riders in their ranks, it means that the numbers will have to be filled by French teams. To be on the safe side, that means another two French teams will make the cut, probably Française des Jeux and Ag2r.

That leaves Jean-Delatour, BigMat and St-Quentin struggling for a spot against the stronger foreign teams, with Saeco and Team Coast the favourites. If five teams are selected, then only one of these teams will make it, most likely Saeco. And in the unlikely event that Marco Pantani finds his legs again in the Giro, the organisers may opt to give a sixth wild card to Mercatone Uno...later. It's a possibility, according to Cyclingnews sources.

Once again, if Jean Delatour and/or BigMat miss out, then their sponsors will more than likely end their involvement at the end of the season. Supposedly, teams are meant to earn their selection, however politics plays a big role.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's announcement of the final teams, which will be known by lunchtime, local time.

17th Vuelta Ciclista a Castilla y Léon

Held over five days between May 2 and May 6, the 17th edition of the Vuelta Ciclista a Castilla y Léon will feature the Spanish teams who have chosen not to ride the Giro d'Italia, and are looking for somewhere to stretch their legs. Abraham Olano (ONCE), Francisco Mancebo and Juan Miguel Mercado (ibanesto.com) are amongst these, with Mancebo and Mercado particularly good in the mountains. Also the runner-up in last year's Vuelta España, Oscar Sevilla (Kelme) will start his Tour de France preparation in Castilla y Leon.

The toughest stage will be stage 4 on Sunday, May 5, starting from San Andres de Rabanedo and finishing atop the category 1 Alto de Redondal. The riders also have to tackle another category 1 and two category 3 climbs during this stage.

The teams: Euskaltel-Euskadi, iBanesto.com, Jazztel-Costa del Almeria, Kelme, ONCE-Eroski, Relax-Fuenlabrada, Boavista, LA-Pecol, Milaneza-MSS, BigMat, Bonjour, Itera, Nürnberger, CCC-Polsat, De Nardi-Pasta Montegrappa.

The stages

  • Stage 1 - May 2: Avila - Avila, 148.1 km
  • Stage 2 - May 3: Arevalo - Valladolid, 172.0 km
  • Stage 3 - May 4: Valladolid - San Andres de Rabanedo, 177.0 km
  • Stage 4 - May 5: San Andres de Rabanedo - Alto de Redondal, 169.2 km
  • Stage 5 - May 6: : Bembibre - Benavente, 148.0 km

59th Tour of Poland

By Daniel Marszalek

The route for the 59th Tour of Poland (September 9-15, UCI 2.2) was recently unveiled at a presentation in Warsaw. The race consists eight stages in seven days, over an almost identical course as last year from Gdansk to Karpacz, a total distance of 1249 km

The first four days are designed for sprinters with stages either flat or undulating, first along the Baltic coast (from East - Gdansk to West - Szczecin), and then due south along the western border. The mountains start in the latter part of the fifth stage, and from this point on it's climber's territory right to the finish. Amongst other mountain primes, riders will have to tackle the Orlinek climb 10 times in the final weekend: Six times on Saturday and three on Sunday morning as well as one last time to finish the ITT on Sunday.

18 teams of 8 riders will start, so far 17 foreign have already applied to start: Mapei, Fassa Bortolo, Tacconi Sport, Ag2r, Jean Delatour, Acqua e Sapone, Index Alexia, Alessio, Big Mat, Gerolsteiner, Phonak (from Division I) and De Nardi, Ceramiche Panaria, LA Pecol, Nürnberger, Itera, Krka Telekom (from Division II). Sure of a place are the best two Polish teams: CCC-Polsat and Mróz. Probably some local Division III teams will also be included, but it's not sure how many of them.

The stages

  • Stage 1 - September 9: Gdansk - Sopot, 178 km
  • Stage 2 - September 10: Gdynia - Koszalin, 246,5 km
  • Stage 3 - September 11: Kolobrzeg - Szczecin, 178 km
  • Stage 4 - September 12: Stargard Szczecinski - Zielona Góra, 256 km
  • Stage 5 - September 13: Kozuchów - Szklarska Poreba, 160,5 km
  • Stage 6 - September 14: Piechowice - Karpacz, 150 km
  • Stage 7 - September 15: Jelenia Góra - Karpacz, 61 km
  • Stage 8 - September 15: Jelenia Góra - Karpacz, 19 km uphill ITT

Polish Peace Race news

Daniel Marszalek reports from Poland that third division team Ambra SCN (managed by Dariusz Banaszek from the former Atlas team) has been given a place in the Peace Race at the last moment. Ambra will be the fifth Polish team in this race, after CCC-Polsat and Mróz (both favourites), and Mikomax and Servisco.

CCC-Polsat have recently released its preliminary squad of eight for Peace Race (six will start) which includes: Piotr Przydzial (who was very impressive today in the Rund um den Henninger Turm), Ondrej Sosenka (Cze), Jacek Mickiewicz, Dariusz Skoczylas, Siergiej Uszakow (Ukr), Cezary Zamana, Radoslaw Romanik and Andriej Tietieruk (Kaz).

Interestingly today they started in the Henninger Turm and not in the GP Weltour in Poland - it's part of a plan to become a first division team next season.

Sydney crash victim on the mend

Sydney cyclist Mike Howarth, who was involved in a serious crash two months ago when he was hit by a motor vehicle while riding, is back on his bike, according to a report in Sydney's Daily Telegraph.

Mike, 38, was kept in an induced coma for two weeks while he recovered from the crash, which happened as he was riding home from work along the M2 freeway at North Epping on March 6. His wife Jamila, who is expecting their child in late July, kept a constant vigil at his bedside, but doctors thought his chances of recovery slim at best.

The crash left Mike with a broken collarbone, shoulder, three broken ribs and two fractured vertebrae. He underwent two brain operations before being placed in the coma, during which he experienced vivid dreams of being an air steward with now-defunct Australian airline Ansett.

Mike is now in physiotherapy to restore his strength and is once again riding his bike. "I can only manage about 20 minutes a day because of my back brace but I am sure I'll get back the way I was," he told the Telegraph.

I know I am a very, very lucky man and probably owe it to my fitness and the fact I was wearing a helmet.

"But what really drove me was knowing my baby was on the way. It really saved my life.

"I have a fantastic wife and a baby on the way and I am just grateful to be here to enjoy it all. It's great to be home," he said.

Police have charged a 38 year old man from Baulkham Hills with dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm, negligent driving causing grievous bodily harm and not stopping and rendering assistance after an injury collision. The man, who was allegedly driving the vehicle that hit Howarth, will appear in court next month.

Moe Shannon and Geoff Stoker of Parramatta CC will be taking the usual Saturday morning bunch on a detour to ride past Mike's home in Seven Hills. All are welcome to come along and wish Michael well. Bunch leaves Universe Cycles, Parramatta at 6:30am this Saturday.

Everyone at Cyclingnews wishes Mike a full and speedy recovery.

Previous Cyclingnews stories on Mike Howarth:
March 16, 2002: Man charged in Mike Howarth accident
March 8, 2002: Sydney cyclist in critical condition after hit-and-run

Steve Johnson to serve as interim CEO for USAC

Cycling Chief Operating Officer Steve Johnson will serve as interim Chief Executive Officer for USA Cycling, the sport's national governing organization, effective May 1. The temporary position move comes after the announcement that current CEO Lisa Voight will change management roles to Senior Advisor for Olympic and International Relations to USA Cycling. Voight, who has more than a decade of service with USA Cycling, will also take on an added role as the mother of twin girls sometime in May.

USA Cycling is still searching for a permanent CEO, but is expected to name a candidate in mid-June.

Funeral service for Ryan Smith

[Note: Ryan Smith was a Californian cyclist who was murdered last Sunday in Sacramento. He rode for the Division III Sierra Nevada cycling team].

The Smith family has requested that any and all cyclists who are so moved to attend the services for Ryan this Saturday, May 4, 2002, at 10:00 a.m. in their home town of Visalia. The location is the Miller Memorial Chapel located at 1120 West Goshen Avenue. For reference, please see www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?mapdata=jZ2g%2 for driving directions. Local cyclist and pastor, Adrian Dieleman, will be conducting the service.

The family will be setting up a trust fund for the sole purpose of helping local junior racers. Just as we have all had a small hand in Ryan's development, this fund will help those aspiring young racers to chase their dream of competing at the top level of this sport. The trust fund will be managed by the Visalia Cycling Club; any donations for this fund can be made out to the Visalia Cycling Club. An address will be posted at a later date.

Please join us to honor the life of this young cyclist and help the Smith family through this difficult time.

Redline Cup of Cyclo-Cross

Specialist 'cross bike manufactures Redline have just confirmed the race dates and promoters for their first ever three race cyclocross series, called the Redline Cup o' Cross:

  • Sunday - October 20: Redline Cup #1 - Tacoma, WA
  • Saturday - November 23: Redline Cup #2 - SaltLakeCity, UT
  • Sunday - December 8: Redline Cup Finals - Napa, CA

The events are approved UCI Cat. 3 races, and will be three of the seven UCI races held west of the Mississippi in 2002. The 'cross series marks the first time that Redline Bicycles has jumped in to event-sponsorship for cyclo-cross, after sponsoring individual riders in the past.

The Redline Cup has existed in BMX for the past two years, and the company hopes to increase the number of cyclocross races to five or six in 2003.

More information: www.redlinebicycles.com