Clarification for James L. OchowiczThe other day it was reported that Jim Ochowicz had become involved in a new team. That was speculation and the following is official."James L. Ochowicz, the President of the North Club, Inc., announced today that he currently does not have a sponsorship agreement for a professional bicycle racing team. Mr. Ochowicz advises that he has had discussions with a number of potential sponsors and is hopeful that he will have a team for the 1999 competitive season." Extra Tests for Pontoni and De BieThe Medical Commission of the UCI has decided to give Daniele Pontoni and Danny de Bie and extra urine test. The Italian and the Belgian both have expectations that they will be able to ride in the World Championship race on Sunday in Middlefart."The UCI has had no role so far in the conviction of either riders. That is the business of the National Federations. But we will give them an extra test to see if there is a possibility of seeing anything further. That is what we are doing." said Lon Schattenberg, President of the Medical Commission of the UCI. The results of the drug tests will be known on Saturday. If there is a positive finding the riders will be forbidden to start. Pontoni tested positive to cocaine during the Italian Championship. He has given contrary evidence. The Italian Olympic Committee shall shortly determine the penalty for the World Champion. De Bie was accused of not attending a required drugs test after a race last year at Kalmhout. According to the rules of the UCI, the failure to attend a test is tantamount to a positive test. Also he has contested the finding and offered an alternative explanation. As well as the two tests, the UCI performed blood tests on 7 teams. There we no excessive levels detected. The Dutch team, notably, was not tested. |