Second Edition News for May 19, 2002

Edited by Jeff Jones & Karen Forman

Vanthourenhout injured

U23 world cyclocross champion Sven Vanthourenhout (Domo-Farm Frites) fell and was injured during the first stage of the Tour de Picardie, run over 174 kilometres between Abbeville and Saint-Quentin. He suffered grazes over his whole body, but was able to start in today's second stage. He is currently 46th on general classification, 2'00 back.

Impressive field for Montreal Women's World Cup

The official start list for the fifth edition of the Montreal Women's World Cup on June 1, being held in association with the Tour of Greater Montreal on June 3 and 4, is expected to be released on May 31.

However, early indications are that entrants will include the likes of Saturn (USA), Rona (Canada), Team Sponsor Service (Norway), CA Mantes la Ville 78 (France), Amoroso's/HH Racing Team (Canada), Edilsavino - Vlaanderen (Italy) Team Grace Cycling (Denmark), Itera Team (Italy), Opus (Canada), Tagloamerica.com (USA), Team T-Mobile (USA), Trek Plus (USA), Verizon Wireless Cycling Club, (USA), Fulton Fliers Cycling Club (USA), Terry Precision Team (USA), Dutch National Team, Spain National Team, Great Britain National Team, Equipe Nationale de France, Province du Quebec and the Mexico National Team.

While not yet official, the roster boasts some impressive talent.

Event technical director, Alain Poupart, said: "We didn't expect such a participation with First Union Classic out of the World Cup, but riders that are coming to Montreal they prove to us that they really enjoy the course and the city."

We can expect a big race with Fabiana Luperini (Edilsavino - Vlaanderen ) who finished first at La Fleche Wallone and Lyne Bessette second," Poupart said.

International field for Clarendon Cup

A strong international field will contest the 14th event on the US National Racing Calendar, the fifth annual Clarendon Cup, on Sunday, June 2.

The $US 15,000 event has attracted riders from all the major US-based pro teams, along with reigning world champions, Olympians and US and foreign national champions, from more than a dozen countries.

An all-inclusive road series designed to provide a ranking system for elite level cyclists, whether amateur or professional, the event will feature the same one-kilometre course used in previous years on the streets of Clarendon, an Arlington, VA neighborhood across the Potomac River from Washington.

The criterium course, a format that is an American racing tradition, offers exceptional spectator viewing from sidewalk eateries, fast corners and finish line grandstands.

"It is exciting to see Clarendon's neighborhood streets lined with intimate eateries and shops transformed into a world class race course, where spectators can gather to watch professional athletes compete," Clarendon Alliance President, Jon Kinney, said. "The Clarendon Cup event has grown each year, bringing in thousands of spectators to our Arlington Community."

Riders to watch in the featured Pro race include world champion time-triallist Danny Pate (USA), of the Prime Alliance Team.

Pate will be joined by accomplished teammates National Race Calendar Points Leader Chris Horner (USA), 2000 Clarendon Cup winner Dave McCook (USA) and former USPRO Crit Champion and two-time Clarendon Cup podium finisher Jonas Carney (USA).

Team Mercury will be looking to improve Canadian Olympian Gord Fraser's 2nd place 2001 Clarendon Cup finish. Team 7-up/Nutrafig anticipates great strength from its new riders Hayden Godfrey and Gregory Henderson. Accomplishments between them include 2 Olympic appearances, Goodwill Game Gold medals, New Zealand National Championships and a velodrome World Cup win.

Bank renews Cascade Classic support

Columbia River Bank has agreed to serve as title sponsor of one of American's oldest stage races, the Columbia River Bank Cascade Cycling Classic for the second year.

The 23rd annual event, comprising six men's races, five women's races and four master's events, will be held in Oregon, USA, from July 10-14.

Bank president and CEO, Roger Christensen, said it was a privilege for the bank to be associated with the event.

"The race not only has a great history of champions like three-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, but also has become the premier spectator event during central Oregon's summer season, he said."

A total cash purse of $21,500 will be paid out to individual stage and overall CCC Winners.

The five-stage event begins on Wednesday, July 10 with a pro men's road race that starts in Bend, climbs past Mount Bachelor into the High Cascades Lakes and returns to Bend. On Thursday, July 11, the McKenzie Pass race returns after a six-year absence. Women professionals will join the men along the Cascade Crest with 7,000 feet of climbing in this 72-mile event ending near Sisters.

Friday, July 12, is a two-race day. Individual time trial races will have pro men and women join male master competitors, veteran riders now more into career and family with bike racing as a part-time passion, in racing against the clock up Pilot Butte in Bend. That evening, racing moves into the streets of downtown Bend for a 40-lap circuit race.

Racing action continues on Saturday, July 13, when action moves to the rural Tumalo area with another circuit race, this one with steeper ascents and descents. Racing shifts to the streets of the Old Mill District on Sunday, July 14 with one to four lap kids races and a final circuit race for both pros and masters.