Scott Sunderland on Omloop Het Volk
Scott was pretty pleased with his ride in Het Volk although disapointed
to lose contact with the chasing group which happened with just ten kms
to go. Prior to that, he'd been pretty active, led on the first part of the
Oude Kwaremont, and over the top (after the false flat in the middle) in approx
25th place; yo-yoing on and off (see below for reasons) before chasing with
Virenque before getting back on to the Baldato group. (Virenque made it but
not for long).
Then, with ten to go, that is when the Baldato group splintered; there was a
final section of cobbles and the usual attacks and, because he was cramping
up, he was unable to stay with them. In actual fact what had happened to bring
the cramp on was that his saddle had dropped by 2 cms in the last 50 kms or so -
new bikes which had the facility for a 23 as opposed to a 21 tyred back wheel
(to avoid pinch punctures) had only been delivered two days before the race.
As a result, Scotty was having problems with his seatpost but, despite the
mechanics packing it with whatever they pack it with it still slipped and hey
presto, lowering saddle and thus cramp and, so when it really started in the
final part of the finale he was unable to stay in the wheels.
Form is good for Murcia and then it'll be the run in through the obvious
Belgian races before Flanders where he will be the Palmans team leader.
I am also expecting on-the spot reporting from Neil Storey at Flanders
on Scotty and the rest of them.
Jay Sweet on Omloop Het Volk
Jay writes:
I'm just recovering today. Yesterday was very interesting. My first
Het Volk. I was going really well, finding it
tough on the cobbled climbs because I climb out of the seat and on the
cobbles you have to stay in the seat but over the top I was fine. On
about the 6th climb, Henk (Vogels) attacked and Tom Steels was going with him
and I was on Tom's wheel and then I punctured. @#$% Race over!
I chased
and caught a group on the top then I caught another group over the next
climb but the race finished for me. I just rode to the finish. I think
Stuart (O'Grady) finished 6th. I haven't spoken to them since before
the race but I think they get back here in Toulouse tonight so I'll
speak to them then. My next race is the Paris-Nice
which is a pretty big race, 1.1 cat. I want to win a stage there. That's
what I've been training and racing for so far this year. The weather here
has been good. It's cold in the mornings but it warms up to about 15-17
degrees in the afternoon. Well that's about all. Keep your eyes and ears
open for results because I'm ready for some.
Alex Zülle on the Tour of Valencia
Alex Zülle was one of the stars participating at la
Vuelta a la Comunidad Valenciana. And like it happens
with the majority of the elite riders, he's far from
his best form. The Lotus Festina rider went to
Valencia to ride and acquire form for his two great
objectives: the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France.
But Zulle gave the fans a gift on the penultimate
stage. On the second climb he left the peloton and
took off alone, showing that he has tremendous
ability. He opened a gap of 1 minute 58 seconds, but
would later be absorbed by the peloton.
The ex-ONCE rider explained: "It was Festina's tactics, so that
after that a teammate, Wladimir Belli, could attack and try to go for the
overall". Alex Zülle was satisfied: "My intention was to give my team a little
exposure. In addition, one can't change from one day
to the next. Now I'm riding tranquil, but it is good
for me to ride with the aggressiveness of before, like
at ONCE".
He is also very satisfied with his change from ONCE to Lotus
Festina: "I'm in another big team.
The only thing that changes is the sponsor, but
everybody wants the same everywhere: to win big races.
What changes is the planning for the season, but the
rest is very similar to what I lived with Manolo
Saiz". Zülle ratified that his first big objective was
going to be the Giro, not forgetting the Tour: I don't
know the Giro, but I have teammates, like Belli or
Bortolami that know how to race there and they will
give me good advise", said the Swiss, who will go
inspect the great climbs of the Dolomites in a month.
Giro d'Italia 1998, May 16-June 7
Saturday, May 16: Prologue Time Trial, Nizza, 6 kms
Sunday, May 17: Stage 1, Nizza-Cuneo, 158 kms
Monday, May 18: Stage 2 Alba-Imperia, 162 kms
Tuesday, May 19: Stage 3, Rapallo-Forte dei Marmi, 192 kms
Wednesday, May 20: Stage 4 Viareggio-Monte Argentario, 229 kms
Thursday, May 21: Stage 5, Orbetello-Frascati, 218 kms
Friday, May 22: Stage 6, Maddaloni-Lago Laceno, 159 kms
Saturday, May 23: Stage 7, Montella-Matera, 230 kms
Sunday, May 24: Stage 8, Matera-Lecce, 189 kms
Monday, May 25: Stage 9, Foggia-Vasto, 157 kms
Tuesday, May 26: Stage 10, Vasto-Macerata, 210 kms
Wednesday, May 27: Stage 11, Macerata-San Marino, 220 kms
Thursday, May 28: Stage 12, San Marino-Carpi, 190 kms
Friday, May 29: Stage 13, Carpi-Schio, 164 kms
Saturday, May 30: Stage 14, Schio-Piancavallo, 162 kms
Sunday, May 31: Stage 15, Trieste ITT, 38 kms
Monday, June 1: Stage 16, Udine-Asiago, 230 kms
Tuesday, June 2: Stage 17, Asiago-Selva Gardena, 220 kms
Wednesday, June 3: Stage 18, Gardena-Alpe Pampeago, 115 kms
Thursday, June 4: Stage 19, Cavalese-Plan di Montecampione, 239 kms
Friday, June 5: Stage 20, Boario Terme-Mendrisio, 140 kms
Saturday June 6: Stage 21, Mendrisio-Lugano ITT, 34 kms
Sunday, June 7: Stage 22, Lugano-Milanokm 168 kms
Total Distance for the 1998 Giro = 3839 kms. The highest mountain pass
will be the Passo di Sella, 2214 metres. Bonus points for each stage
will be 12 seconds (first), 8 seconds (2nd) and 4 seconds (3rd).
Intergiro sprints will get bonuses of 6, 4, and 2 seconds.
4th International Tour of Rhodos, Greece
Holger Sievers of the German GS-II-Team EC/Bayer Worringen won the
4th International Tour of Rhodos in Greece. A 2nd place on the
hilly stage 4 on the last day of the event was good enough for
Sievers to win the stage race. Team EC/Bayer also won the team
classifaction more than six minutes ahead of Tyrolia (Austria).
ECB = EC/Bayer Worringen (Germany)
TYR = Tyrolia (Austria)
LIT = Lithuania national team
GBR = Great Britain national team
Others unknown.
Stage 1, 132 kms:
1. Vladimiras Smirnovas (LIT) 3.19.08
2. Dimitri Sidorenko (BIS)
3. Arno Kaspret (TYR)
4. Linas Balciunas (LIT)
5. Rafael Hennes (ECB)
6. Radim Korinek (SPO)
7. Holger Sievers (ECB)
8. Ralf Werner (ECB) all s.t.
Stage 2, 119 kms:
1. Arno Kaspret (TYR) 3.08.14
2. Rafael Hennes (ECB)
3. Radim Korinek (SPO)
8. Holger Sievers (ECB) all s.t.
Stage 3, 131 kms:
1. Linas Balciunas (LIT) 3.02.42
2. Vladimiras Smirnovas (LIT)
3. Arno Kaspret (TYR) both s.t.
Stage 4, 135 kms:
1. Heinz Marchel (TYR) 3.44.42
2. Holger Sievers (ECB) 0.17
3. Jörg Ludewig (ECB) 0.21
4. Robert Leynolds-Jones (GBR) 0.25
5. George Maniatis (HEL) 2.33
6. Arnold Eisel (TYR) 2.49
Final GC:
1. Holger Sievers (ECB) 13.15.00
2. Heinz Marchel (TYR) 0.28
3. Robert Leynolds-Jones (GBR) 1.36
4. Jörg Ludewig (ECB) 2.01
5. Vladimiras Smirnovas (LIT) 3.27
6. Arno Kaspret (TYR) 3.28
7. Rafael Hennes (ECB) 3.32
8. Radim Korinek (SPO) 3.34
9. Friederick Sackl (ELK) 3.35
10. Ralf Werner (ECB) 3.35
23. Lars Wackernagel (ECB) 9.30
41. Roman Jördens (ECB) 29.55
Final Team Classification:
1. Team EC/Bayer 39.50.40
2. Tyrolia 6.33
3. Lithuania 7.30
The weekend in Belgium
February 28:
Omloop Het Volk, Espoirs:
1. Kurt De Wulf (Bel)
Hamont-Achel, 154 kms, Cat 1.12
1. Pascal Appeldoorn (Ned) Axa
2. Paul van Schalen (Ned) P&O-Löwik-Giant
3. Steven de Cuyper (Bel)
5. Dennis Hey (Ned) Golff
6. Arjan Bruins (Ned) Golff
7. Anthony Theus (Ned) P&O-Löwik-Giant
Genk
1. Ludo Giesberts (Bel)
Saint-Séverain, Liege, 120 kms
1. Jos Lucassens (Ned) P&O-Giant-Lö
2. Wim Heselmans (Bel)
3. Marc Patry (Bel)
Tremelo-Baal
1. Benjamin Van Itterbeeck (Bel)
01/03/98
Brustem
1. Bart Marien
Deurne-Diest
1. Ludo Giesberts
Gent-Staden, 138 km
1. Peter Peys (Bel)
2. Arthur Fahrenhout (Ned) Agu
3. Benny de Ly (Bel)
4. Jurgen de Jong (Ned) Agu
7. Remco van de Ven (Ned) Agu
Maldegem
1. Tom Serlet
Vaalbeek
1. Patrick Stylemans
March 1, Omloop van de Houtse Linies, Netherlands, 144 kms:
This race for elites started and finished in Den Hout (Breda).
1. Godert de Leeuw (Ned) P&O-Löwik-Giant 3.34.40
2. John Talen (Ned) Piels
3. Edward Fahrenhout (Ned) Piels 0.36
4. Rudi Kemna (Ned) P&O-Löwik-Giant
5. John van den Akker (Ned) MGI
6. Marcel Luppes (Ned) Axa 1.15
7. Edwin Dunning (Ned) Tegeltoko 3.40
8. Jeroen Slagter (Ned) Tegeltoko 3.43
9. Peep Mikli (Ned) Tegeltoko 6.15
10. Wilfried Bastiaanse (Ned) MGI
So does Altitude Training build RBC?
I received a harsh (like nasty) email from one of the Australian Track Squad who
claimed I had called him a cheat for going to Mexico to build up
RBC. The same thing that EPO usage does. If you all re-read the news
for February 27, you will see the word cheat does not appear. Apparently,
according to the email, I was also un-Australian because I dared
to ask questions. Let me assure you I am Australian because I was
born there. No choice. But also in Australia, we always ask questions.
That's a free society!
The point of the news item was to ask, yet again, where do we draw
the line on legal and illegal performance enhancing activities.
The altitude training issue which appears to deliver similar
short term results as EPO usage is a pretty good example of the
arbitrariness of the rules.
Anyway, here is a quote from the email (rider's name protected
because he doesn't know what he is talking about):
"If you knew anything about the effects of altitude training , you would
know that the major benefit comes in the development of the anaerobic
system to become more efficient and more powerful. This is done with a lot
of strength training, high rpms, and extremely long endurance rides (up to
10 hours). It has nothing to do with blood hematocrit levels, which EPO is
designed to increase."
Really! Let's analyse each sentence. The first is not a scientific statement
because there is no causation developed - merely assertion. The second
sentence is descriptive of activity - again no science. The third sentence
makes a statement which is of a scientific nature because it can be
tested through appropriate methodology.
Some further research was needed!
Readers might like to consult the
contribution by Dr. Charlotte
Cox (who does know something about altitude training, even if
I obviously don't) - "The haematologists out there might be
interested to note that my haemoglobin went from 131 to 156 and
haematocrit up significantly- so the appropriate haematological
events did occur."
Further, the 4th issue of Volume 2 of
Coaching Science Abstracts is devoted to Altitude Training. In several
articles, statements like this are made: - "Hematological adjustments
occur to augment the oxygen content of the blood. Hemoglobin concentration
increases as the plasma volume decreases. RBCs increase due to a
hypoxic-sensitive erythropoietic mechanism that alters HB and
hematocrit values. The greater circulating volume of Hb increases
the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood." -
Smith, M. H., & Sharkey, B. J. (1984). Altitude training: who
benefits? The Physician and Sportsmedicine, 12, 48-62.
I keep on reading about hematocrit levels. Most of the following text
could apply to a rider who was injecting EPO. So in outcome what is
the difference? What is different between travelling half-way around
the world to Mexico to ride in harsh conditions to increase the RBC
which increases oxygen delivery and increases performance and going
to the doctor to get some EPO which does the same thing?
No accusations of cheating - just confusion with rules.
March 1, GT Karapoti Classic, New Zealand
The biggest MTB race in Australasia, the GT Karapoti Classic
was held in Wellington New Zealand on Sunday 1st March. The 50 km
single loop race has 3 major gruelling climbs and has been attending
by such luminaries as David Weins, Susan De Mattei, Caroline
Alexander and Michael Ronning. Until this year the 1994 race record
of 2.22.04 was held by many times national champ Jon Hume.
The record tumbled yesterday at the hands of Kashi Leuchs
(8th in the under 23 world champs last year).
Kashi finished in 2.20.46, six minutes ahead of his fellow
Canondale youth development squad team member, Sweden's Kim
Eriksson. Third place went to Trevor Woodward who was second
last year.
In the womens event, the race was won by reigning national
champ, Annie Mahoney who finished 30 seconds ahead of Brenda
Clapp with Jill Westernra in third.
Senior Expert/Pro Men
1. Kashi Leuchs 2.20.46
2. Kim Eriksson 2.26.41
3. Trevor Woodward 2.27.18
4. Lawrence Mote 2.28.10
5. Cliff Fellingham 2.30.55
6. Ross Heald 2.31.10
7. Gwilym Griffith-Jones 2.34.50
8. Harley Sutton 2.35.38
9. Hugh Jorgen 2.38.19
10. Julian Mitchell 2.39.12
11. Tim Lawrence 2.40.00
12. Dave Allardyce 2.40.02
13. Daryl Warnock 2.41.17
14. Kerry Scotson 2.42.58
15. James Hufflett 2.43.53
16. Michael Mayne 2.45.50
17. John Kirkcaldie 2.46.43
18. Jeremy Thomas 2.46.54
19. Dion Wihongi 2.47.12
20. Brendon Trower 2.48.56
Senior Expert/Pro Women
1. Ann Mahoney 3.07.56
2. Brenda Clapp 3.08.20
3. Jill Westenra 3.10.20
4. Sharon Harris 3.12.26
5. Alex Stewart 3.25.14
6. Sofia Fagerstroem 3.44.30
7. Pip Thomson 3.54.18
8. Trudy Pilbrow 3.55.57
9. Marni-Lee Jensen 4.25.02
http://www.mountainbike.co.nz/
Queensland Cycling Association,
Veteran Criterium Series, Round 1
Elite Men
1. B Jones
2. C Saunders
3. T Dan
4. B Nightingale
5. A Johnson
6. B Duraj
7. W Jennings
8. D Barker
Masterclass
1. D Winks
2. M EIder
3. L Cranley
4. G Wilson
5. T Redwood
6. J Whip
7. E Rasen
8. K Menz
Veterans C Grade
1. L McGarry
2. L Kirkman
3. S Fielding-Smith
4. K Wilson
Veterans - D Grade
1. F Hackner
2. P O'Brien
3. G Alcorn
4. B Cannon
First Women: Toni Morris
Elite Men - Overall leader's Jersey
1. B Jones 8
2. C Saunders 7
3. T Dan 6
4. B Nightingale 5
5. A Johnson 4
6. B Duraj 3
7. W Jennings 2
8. D Barker 1
Elite Men - Overall Sprint Jersey
1. C Saunders 14
2. B Jones 11
3. B Duraj 6
4. D Russell 6
5. N Formosa 4
6. B Nightingale 3
7. W Jennings 2
8. T Dan 2
9. A Johnson 1
10. B Day 1
Masterclass - Overall Leader's Jersey
1. D Winks 8
2. M EIder 7
3. L Cranley 6
4. G Wilson 5
5. T Redwood 4
6. J Whip 3
7. E Rasen 2
8. K Menz 1
Masterclass - Sprint Jersey
1. S Cowin 11
2. J Lindsay 6
3. G Wilson 5
4. D Winks 2
5. S Young 2
6. E Rasen 2
7. T Redwood 1
8. P Howard 1
Veterans C Grade - Overall Leader's Jersey
1. L McGarry 4
2. L Kirkman 3
3. S Fielding-Smith 2
4. K Wilson 1
Veterans C Grade - Sprint Jersey
1. L McGarry 12
2. S Fielding-Smith 9
3. L Kirkman 5
4. G Cornacchia 2
5. K Wilson 1
6. V Brooks 1
Veterans D Grade - Overall Leader's Jersey
1. F Hackner 4
2. P O'Brien 3
3. G Alcorn 2
4. B Cannon 1
Veterans D Grade - Sprint Jersey
1. P O'Brien 11
2. F Hackner 10
3. M Savoury 3
4. T Mores 2
5. O Alcorn 2
5. B Cannon 2
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