News for February 5, 1998

Australian Update from France

French team Big Mat Aubervilliers 93 are wooing Scott McGrory who is riding with the German team from Berlin Die Continentale. It is not clear whether they want him for his sprinting ablitiy or his UCI points. Big Mat were relegated to a Professional Div 2 team last week because only the top 22 teams went in a Div 1. Buying a rider gets their point up as well. Scott is currently ranked 123 with 264 points. Only Viatcheslav Djavanian (28) from Russia who last rode with Roslotto has more points (ranking 102 with 301 points) in Big-Mat than McGrory would bring.

Henk Vogels will be taking it a bit easier after complaining of knee pain during training recently. Stuart O'Grady has been getting attention for a painful achilles tendon but it has not prevented him from racing.

Dutch Professionals complain to European Commission

The Dutch Professional Cyclists Association has lodged a complaint with the European Commission because the Dutch Cycling Federation has refused a licence application from the Dutch riders Adri van der Poel and Jeroen Blijlevens, who both live in Belgium.

The complaint is in connection with the new ruling by the UCI. From January 1 1998, a licence must be issued by the Federation within the country of residence rather than birth, which was the practice in the past (or the option). The change in the rules is against the article of free trade.

Van Poppel gets the Dutch Women's Team into gear

The National Women's Coach Jean-Paul van Poppel has added Mirella van Melis to the Women's Team. She last year captured the Junior World Title in San Sebastian. He also has added Mirjam Melchers, Sonja van Cuijk and Arenda Grimberg to the Team, who join Meijke de Bruijn, Debby Mansfeld, Angela Hillenga, Yvonne Brunen, Danielle Moonen and Sandra Rombouts.

This month Van Poppel begins preparation for the new season. From February 19 to March 1 he will follow the practice established by Piet Hoekstra and take the team to a training camp in Calpe, Spain.

Query about a missing rider

I have received a query about Remigijus Lupeikis who rode in 1997 with US Postal but was given the chop this year. Our own database has him with a ??. For the last few years he rode for the USPS Team; till he was cut for 1998. Any imformation would be appreciated. I met Remi a few years back at the 89er stage race in Oklahoma where I live. We rode together and I thought he was a real nice guy.