News for January 27, 1998

Pontoni will take a hair test

Daniele Pontoni will take a test on his hair to demonstrate that he has not used cocaine. The Italian World Champion hopes to compete in the World Title Race in Denmark next Sunday. According to the President of the UCI Medical Commission, Lon Schattenberg, the test will not be definitive. He said: The test of the hair has no official status as an analytical method. The test will be done in Brescia and it is not in an officially accredited IOC laboratory."

The Italian World Champion has taken this action after his second official test was positive. As no official ruling had been made on the second test, Pontoni raced in the Superprestige Cyclo Cross in Wetzikon on Sunday. The organisers allowed him to start because there was no official decision from the UCI or the Italian Cycling Federation. The UCI ha said it is a matter for the Italian Federation. Schattenberg: "He tested positive at the National Championship. It is thus the business of the national body."

Wimmera Veteran Classic, Victoria, January 25, 1998

Brian Farrell tells me today that in a Victorian veterans race yesterday - the Wimmera Veteran Classic, a rider of aboriginal origin, Albert Clark from Warnnambool rode the legs of everyone else. He was off limit (it was a handicap) and the bunch never caught him. The wind was blowing a gale and the bunch had him in sight but as the wind became stronger the main chase bunch blew up and Albert rode his way to the winner's shield, the $250 first prize, and two intermediate hill prizes. So he had a good weekend.

I enjoyed the story given yesterday was Australia Day or as those in the know with a conscience call it Invasion Day.

Heffron Park, Sydney, Joseph Sunde Memorial Criterium, January 26, 1998

Matt White won the Joseph Sunde Memorial Criterium after breaking away on the second last lap to win by 10 seconds from Ben Litchfield (Bicisport).

Steels fastest at Antwerp

On Sunday, Tom Steels won the "Fastest Pedaller in Europe" omnium which was one part of the 16 Days of Cycling at the rejuveniated Antwerp Sports Palace (Antwerpse sportpaleis)

The Mapei rider was the fastest in all disciplines and easily beat Jeroen Blijlevens, Super Mario Cipollini and Telekom rider, Erik Zabel.

Steels won the Australian pursuit, recorded the fastest 500 metre flying start time. In the derny Zabel held off repeated attacks by Steels over the last 10 laps. Cipollini was only just behind them. The overall was however all settled by then, as the motor-pace was the last lap. Steels had also won the match sprints (he has a bit more trackcraft than the others). Steels' 500m time was only a fraction outside the track record.from the German Erik Zabel.

Thanks to Roger Hughes for corrections to some details in last paragraph.

Rijswijk, Netherlands, Cyclo Cross, January 245, 1998

Elite/Espoirs:

 1. Maarten Nijland (Hengelo)
 2. Bram Schmitz (Gaanderen)
 3. Raymond Lubberman (Hoogeveen)
 4. Marcel Gerritsen (Hoevelaken
 5. Roel van Houtum (Netersel)
 6. Pascal van Bussel (Veldhoven)		
 7. Jean Pierre Leyten
 8. Vasco de Kinkelder
 9. Wim Bunnik
10. Wilant van Gils

Women:

 1. Reza Ravenstein
 2. Inge Velthuis
 3. Elly van Boxmeer

Groesbeek, Netherlands, Cyclo Cross, January 25, 1998

Elite/Espoirs:

 1. Maarten Nijland (Hengelo) -  8th victory this winter *
 2. Bram Schmitz (Gaanderen) *
 3. Marcel Gerritsen (Hoevelaken) *
 4. Raymond Lubberman (Hoogeveen) *
 5. Pscal van Bussel (Veldhoven) *
 6. Wilant van Gils *	
 7. Henk Dekker
 8. Richared Coehorst
 9. Edwin Raats
10. Bram Kessels

Women:

 1. Daphne van de Brand
 2. Reze Ravenstein
 3. Inge Velthuis

* Dutch National Espoir selection for the World Championships at Middelfart, Denmark next weekend. The Dutch espoirs depart for Middelfart on January 28th.

Paal-Beringen, Belgium, Cyclo Cross, January 25, 1998

 1. Danny De Bie
 2. Bart Wellens
 3. Ben Berden              	0.36
 4. Arne Daelmans          	1.42
 5. Marc Janssens             	1.47
 6. Peter Willemssens          	2.15
 ...
 9. Paul Herygers           	2.32

45 riders

First French Rider for Home-Market named

Daniel Schamps tells me that the first French rider for Home-Market (ex-Cedico) is Franck Ramel (stagiaire in 1997 with Casino).

First Italian Race on Calendar

On the February 1, the first Italian race is in Donoratico (GP Costa degli Etruschi). It is not on the official calendar but all the Italians will be there (Rabobank as well). It is the 3rd time the event has been raced. Previous winners are F. Guidi and B. Conte. Donoratico is 40 km south of Livorno.