News from Scotty

"Scott raced the Ruta del Sol last week and went really well. He was fighting off a flu which hit the peloton and sent a lot of cyclists home. The hospitals here in Belgium are crowded, especially with the young children who are suffering from it (me included) and it stays in your system for 2 weeks or more. Serge Baguet (ex-Lotto), a close friend, lost 6 kgs because of it! Anyway, up until now Scott has been able to fight it .. let's hope he stays on top of it.

On Saturday, he rides 'Omloop Het Volk', the first race of the Belgian cycling season. The weather looks promising - plus or minus 5 degrees Celsius, snow and wind with showers on top of that. Not exactly Scott's favourite climate, but then, he is only there to get the kms in the legs and to support teammate Carlo Bomans. Scott's races come later on in March and April. As I said he is feeling okay and only lacking a few kms in the legs.

The Palmans team is a really nice one this year. The bikes look great - Fondriest frames and their racing gear got re-designed by team director Walter Planckaert. He got great taste - Bio-Racer made it.

Me, I've taking up spinning at the gym. I've borrowed some gear off Scott and am pretty pleased. It is really comfy. I only wish I could ride a bike properly. etc...

[Bill notes: I've sent Sabine the longest training book in the world. One line - ride lots! I'll have more from Scott soon]

When is EPO EPO?

This raises the delicate matter of divisions between legal and illegal performance enhancement and demonstrates how arbitrary things are in the area of drug rules and enforcement. The question that arises? What is the difference between taking EPO to enhance blood hematocrit levels (a la Eddy Planckaert) which is illegal one the one hand, and deliberately travelling to Mexico and training at high altitude for the same gain, on the other hand? Clearly the goal is to get to achieve the same thing via the same biological responses, albeit with different methods.

People will respond and say it is unnatural to take EPO and that makes the difference. Well what is natural about a group of riders from Australia who are based in Adelaide (on the sea level and really flat) travelling half way around the world and becoming ill because of the altitude? Hmm, I can't really see that one is natural and the other unnatural.

And then the conclusion is that unless this opportunity is available to all countries it is unfair whether it is legal or not. The poorer cycling nations in the world are not able to do this.

Further, the goal must be to get the levels as close to 50 as possible. Is there science which establishes linearity in these relationships? Any bioscientists out there?

The Contributors get Younger!

To 'Bill's cycling page'.

Dear Bill,

Following is a brief summary of the main races held at the Leongatha Cycling Carnival, yesterday the 22nd of February. This was the 20th annual Leongatha Cycling Carnival, initially held on the 7 February, interupted by rain and completed in windy conditions on February 22.

BREAKA UNDER 17 VICTORIAN 8KM MOTOR PACED TITLE: Some previous winners are Shane Kelly 87,88, Brent McCaig 91 and Luke Roberts in 1993. Most of the field stayed together until the bike came off when the pace immediately quickened. In the sprint two riders broke away from the field, these were Adam Carter and Justin Evans who couldn't hold off the fast finishing Carter with Ryan Kelly third.

S.E.J INVITATION KIEREN: When the bike went off Matt Allan broke away from the field with Pate on his wheel. But in sprint it was Brent McCaig who came around Pate to take first place, Pate second with Troy Clarke third.

RYANS BRICKS WHEELRACE: Stephen Pate and Troy Clarke started off scratch with the closest rider to them being Matt Allan who started off 40 metres who they caught in the first lap. The middle markers got off to a flying start, Gavin White setting the pace with Barry Woods, Robert Tidey and Hilton Clarke Jnr. The back markers failed to make contact with the main bunch. Hilton Clarke Jnr (100) outsprinted Adam Whightwick (155) with Chris Kypriotis (150) third, Chris Ray (190) fourth and Brett Taylor (170) fifth. The time for the 2000 metre race was 2:14:24.

BRIDGE DAIRY VICTORIAN OPEN 20KM MOTOR PACED TITLE: One of the feature events of the carnival is this event but it was even more difficult because of the strong winds. With 10 laps to go there was 9 riders left. With 4 to go there were still 7 riders in the race. The bike came off with 2 and a half laps to go with Ashley Sheard taking the lead and Brent McCaig on his wheel. At the bell it was Sheard, McCaig, Allan and Pate. In the final lap Pate moved through the field taking Austral winner Sean Hodgkiss with him. The final results were Pate first, Hodgkiss second, Allan third, and McCaig coming in fourth. The time for the gruelling race was 25:38:95.

You may change this text if you wish, as I would like you to put it on your home page.

Contributed by Gerard Murphy aged 10.

What a star. Aged 10. My pages are in good hands. Now if only some of the other Australian cycling promoters could send me reports like this. Phill Bates and the Bank Classic excluded.

Miguel hangs out at Valencia

Miguel Indurain, after King Juan Carlos, is the most known person in Spain. He receives proposals from all TV channels and radio stations to be a commentator, but he refuses, just like he refuses the invitation of the race organizers. "I don't enjoy watching the race from a car or a monitor. I prefer to go to one of the climbs with the family and see the group go by. I like the wait, I like to see my friends and ex- colleagues".

"I am now in a period of recuperation. I have suffered so much fatigue that I can allow myself a long nap. I have done some publicity spots and I have gone to some parties, but I often say no". During the Winter, Indurain participated in the presentation of Team Vitalicio Seguros, the team where his brother Prudencio will ride. He didn't go to the presentation of his previous team, Banesto. "I wasn't invited. After la Vuelta of 1996, I haven't had contact with Echavarri or Unzue. We say hello, nothing else".

But did Miguel go to the hotel in Calpe where Banesto is staying to say hello to his old teammates? "The problem is that they have changed everything. I only know two riders: Jimenez and De Las Cuevas. It is impressive how quickly the face of a group can change". Chiappucci is different to me. "I don't understand his choice, but I respect it. Cycling is his life, he can't see himself without the bike. I have found the strength to say enough and I have no regrets".

Indurain has retired when he could have won more. Now Ullrich seems to be the one to inherit his place. "He is strong and he resembles me a bit. He only speaks German, he's not a show off, neither at races or interviews". But Miguel doesn't think that Ullrich is unbeatable. "Pantani and Virenque have shown that they can drop him in the mountains. But they raced wrong. They go in the attack, even when it is no good and waste a lot of energy. To win the Tour one only needs one big strike and it must be a K.O. hit".

The great Navarran appreciates Pantani. "He's the great hope of Italian cycling for stage races. I have a lot of time for him because he is courageous, although he won't win a Giro or Tour until he becomes disciplined about his attacks. The duel between him and Gotti, Zülle and Tonkov at the Giro will be interesting. I would like to go see them in the Alps in one of the decisive stages".

Jack and Jones at Amstel Gold Race

Also the team has been named as reserves for 3 other spring classics: Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix and Liege-Bastogne-Liege. But they will only participate if one of the other teams will have to withdraw from the race.

David Etxebarria Interview

Name: David Etxebarria
DOB: July 23rd
Place of birth:  Abadiño
Teams as a Pro:  Once (1995-1998)
Pro wins: 1995 - One stage at the Tour d'Avenir
          1996 - One stage at la Vuelta a Asturias
                 Clásica de Alava
                 Two stages and overall at Trofeo Luis Ocaña
                 One stage and overall and Tour d'Avenir
          1997:  One stage at la Vuelta a los Valles
                 Mineros
                 One stage at the our of Switzerland.

Manolo Saiz has placed a lot of trust in him. David Etxebarria has been nurtured by the ONCE sport director since he became a pro in 1995. He has taken care of him with the intention of having him eventually take over from Jalabert as team leader. But the director's plans have changed and Etxebarria will have to assume the leadership earlier than expected. The departure of Zulle has made Etxebarria the number two man in the team.

JAUB - A big load has fallen on you with the departure of Alex Zulle to Team Lotus-Festina.

DE - Yes. Now I have more pressure in the team, but not all of it, because Zulle's responsibility has been shared between Mikel Zarrabeitia, Luis Pérez and I.

JAUB - After spending three seasons with low pressure, are you ready to bear this responsibility?

DE - The fact that I have been in a team with two great leaders, like Laurent Jalabert and Alex Zulle, has allowed me to be able to face my three first seasons in the pro peloton with some relaxation. I have raced almost without responsibility, but that time is passed. The time has come to show that I'm a great cyclist.

JAUB - What does Etxebarria have to win in 1998 to become a great cyclist?

DE - It is evident that it is in the hand of a selected few to win the great stage races, the Giro, the Tour and the Vuelta. To reach that level, one has to first acquire victories in smaller races.

JAUB - You have done that already. Aren't you the Spanish rider from your generation with some of the best palmares?

DE - I still have to win a lot. My objective is to be amongst the first in the most important races in the calendar. It is true that I have achieved some results that have awaken hope amongst the people that surround me, but what I have to do is keep on going and forget about what everybody says about me.

JAUB - Your first serious objective will be la Vuelta.

DE - Yes, it will be the only big race that I will contest this year, that's why my preparation is focused on making me reach my best form in September. I will save a lot of strength by not going to the Tour and that is why I'm almost sure that I will do well at La Vuelta.

JAUB - Do you feel capable of competing for the victory in a three week race?

DE - The most difficult part in cycling is to climb this next step that I have in front of me - where only the riders that can win important races are located, the prestigious ones. But I have confidence, since I have improved every year. That will be enough to keep on going. To win will be a lot more complicated. What I'm ready for is to fight and I will do that to the death. I have taken the responsibility that has been asked from, but in the end the road will put you in your place.

The Dutch licence saga continues

Under the new UCI rules riders must be licenced by the Federation in the country where they live. The Dutch riders who are living in Belgium (van der Poel and Blijlevens) wanted to get their licence from the Dutch KNWU. The NVBW appealed under Commission Article 48 (relating to free trade) and Article 52 (free association) but according to the EU there is no discrimination and has dismissed the complaint.

1997 US Club of the Year award

Now in its sixth year, the Club of the Year program recognizes outstanding contributions by USCF clubs to the sport of road, track and cyclo-cross racing in the United States. The Federation has long recognized that clubs are a major component of successful bicycle racing, and programs managed by local and regional clubs provide the best opportunity for grass roots development and enjoyment of the sport.

About the winners:

Division I (76+ members) With over 200 annual members, Minnesota’s Saint Paul Bicycle Racing Club provides its riders with programs, seminars and clinics ranging from weight training to cyclo-cross to informal weekly coaching rides to competitive criterium and track series. Publishing the monthly SPBRC Club News newsletter and world wide web site (www.spbrc.org), the Saint Paul club keeps members of all ages and abilities, including mountain bikers, active throughout the year. Through dedicated programs for juniors and women’s development, the club has been able to manage effective sponsorship drives, bringing in over $40,000 in cash, products and discounts in 1997. For outstanding club excellence, the Saint Paul Bicycle Racing Club is recognized as the Division 1 Club of the Year. Previous Winners: Ann Arbor Velo Club (1996); Team Oregon (1995)

Division II (30-75 members)

Receiving the highest ranking of any division-winning club, Team Snow Valley of Bethesda, Md., is the only repeating USCF Club of the Year for 1997. Defending its 1996 title for Division II, Team Snow Valley did so through a variety of enjoyable, developmental, informational and competitive activities for its members and other riders in the Maryland area. The team hosted training rides, club picnics, bike tours and development programs for juniors, masters, women and track racing. In addition, the club promotes competitive events such as the Eastern Shore Road Race, the District 20 Road Championships and the Maryland Cyclo-cross Championships. Snow Valley also offers coaching and training of its members, plus fun bike rodeos for kids and a bike safety poster for area schools. Team Snow Valley also maintains a monthly club newsletter, a World Wide Web site (www.tsv.org) and a 24-hour event hotline. Previous Winners: Team Snow Valley (1996); Emerald Velo Cycling Team (1995)

Division III (1-29 members)

The broad-based Northbrook Bicycle Club of northern Illinois won Division III outright in 1997. Excelling in track development programs for riders of all ages and abilities, Northbrook participated in a well-attended seminar at the Northbrook Velodrome which featured former world and Tour de France champion Greg LeMond. The club also introduced disadvantaged children from the south side of Chicago to track racing at the velodrome. Riders from Northbrook placed highly at national, World Cup and Worlds events in 1997 and these top- level riders help mentor younger and less experienced competitors. Previous Winners: Bunch of Bikers (1996); Team Washington (1995)

Special Recognition

Special awards for excellence in specific programs have also been presented to three USCF clubs. Team Oregon of Beaverton, Ore., received special recognition for its members efforts in both women’s and track cycling during 1997. Sponsoring the largest women’s team in the state, Team Oregon organizes technical riding skill and tactic clinics for female riders, as well as mentoring of new and less experienced members. The club velodrome program encourages all members to learn track racing. Working with the Alpenrose Velodrome in Portland, track sessions are held regularly throughout the summer months. Free loaner bikes are available for those club members who do not have their own track bike.

The Southbay Wheelmen of Torrance, Calif., was honored with a special recognition award for its support of masters programs. One of the oldest and most respected clubs in the United States, the Southbay Wheelmen have excelled in encouraging competition among masters riders. In 1997, masters from Southbay placed highly in state, national and even world competition. Masters total nearly half the active members of the club, which was also honored as the 1997 Southern California/Southern Nevada Club of the Year.

For outstanding junior support, the Future Champions Cycling Club of Barto, Pa., was recognized by the selection committee for their efforts in training juniors. True to their name, the club specializes in introducing young riders to cycling competition. With 72 junior members between the ages of 13 and 18, the club uses a big brother/big sister program pairing young riders with older riders for mentoring. Future Champions juniors have placed highly at many events in which they compete, including track races at the Trexlertown Rodale Fitness Park velodrome. In April 1997, the club was even featured in an article in VeloNews detailing their commitment to juniors.

All active USCF clubs were eligible for the annual award and were encouraged to submit applications detailing their club programs and activities. Those applications received were carefully reviewed and considered by the Club of the Year Selection Committee in Colorado Springs, Colo. In review, each application received a numerical score based upon 13 selection criteria. These criteria include club activities, the effectiveness of club programs and support for masters, junior, women’s and track racing, the organizational structure of the club, any coaching and clinic programs by the club, the club’s financial stability and membership base, the performance of members at events and the number of races promoted during the year.

The club receiving the highest numerical score in their division following review by the committee received the Club of the Year designation. Applications are classified by the number of USCF annual members, from the smallest, Division III, with 1-29 members to the largest, Division I with 76+ members. In addition to the division winners, special recognition awards may also be presented to clubs showing particular effectiveness and support of junior, women’s, masters and track racing.

1997 Club of the Year Overall Division Winners:

Division 1 (76 + USCF Members)
1. St. Paul Bicycle Racing Club, St. Paul, Minn.; 2. South Bay Wheelmen,
Torrance, Calif.; 3. Team Oregon, Beaverton, Ore.; 4. San Diego Bicycle Club
San Diego, Calif.

Division 2 (30-75 USCF Members)
1. Team Snow Valley, Bethesda, Md.; 2. Future Champions Cycling Club, Barto,
Pa.; 3. Berkshire Cycling Association, Pittsfield, Mass.; 4. Minuteman Road
Club, Ashland, Mass.; 5. Greenville Spinners Bicycle Club, Greenville, S.C.

Division 3 (1-29 USCF Members)
1. Northbrook Bicycle Club, Northbrook, Ill.; 2. Team Tam, Brooklyn, N.Y.; 3.
Hawkeye Bike Association, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.