Second Edition News for March 8, 1998

Jan Ullrich to resume at Tirreno-Adriatico

1997 Tour of France winner, Jan Ullrich, will commence his season in earnest at the Tirreno-Adriatico. Team Deutsche Telekom will send a strong team to the 8 day stage race with Jens Heppner, Kai Hundertmarck, Jan Schaffrath, Steffen Wesemann and Erik Zabel, complemented by their Italian riders Francesco Frattini et Giovanni Lombardi.

Daniele Pontoni out for six months

1997 World Cyclo Cross champion Italian Daniele Pontoni has finally been suspended - for six months - by the Italian Cycling Federation after testing positive for cocaine at the Italian National Championships in Parabiago (Milan) on January 11. The ban is from the time that he is officially notified.

In February, in an attempt to take the heat of him, Pontoni claimed he was taking the matter to the courts on the grounds that the cocaine must have been put, unknowingly, into his food or drinks during the race.

The matter has caused concern among riders due to the apparent slow reaction and delay in decision by the Italian Federation. Even though there were two positive tests against him, the UCI allowed him to defend his World Championship title at Middelfart in Denmark in the first week of February. They said the positive tests given to them by the Italian Federation were suspect, having been performed outside of an officially approved testing centre. The UCI to clear themselves from the claims of cover-up, tested Pontoni and another Belgian rider (Danny de Bies) and found both negative. Hence they were both allowed to compete.

While the ban is from the Italian Federation, the UCI may still not uphold it. The lawyer acting for the disgraced rider said on Italian radio that "We've not had time to read the full text of the sentence yet. When we have, we'll decide what action to take." Pontoni says he is a victim of a conspiracy.

Jeannie Longo goes one more year

Jeannie Longo decided to ride another year in the peloton. She announced it after the MTB race in Chartres. She will make her return in the Tour of the Vendee.

Marco Pantani chooses his best 8 victories

Marco Pantani born at Cesena (Forlė) on January 13 1970 and lives at Cesenatico. He commenced riding when he was 12-years old. His first victory came in 1982. He showed immense ability in the juveniles category. In 1992 he won the Giro d'Italia for Espoirs after coming third in 1990 and second in 1991.

He turned profesional on August 5, 1992 at the GP Camaiore for the Carrera-Tassoni team and remained with them until 1996. From 1997 he has ridden for Mercatone Uno then Mercatone Uno-Bianchi. The 8 victories of his career are all mountain stages. Here they are:

June 4, 1994: The 14th stage of the Giro d'Italia, Lienz-Merano over 235 kms. Pantani attacks on the Gpm sul Passo Giovo and wins after a flight of 30 kms. He moved from 10th to 6th in the GC.

June 5, 1994: The 15th stage of the Giro d'Italia, Merano-Aprica over 195 kms. On Mortirolo and on Santa Cristina he attacked Berzin and Indurain. He moved to 2nd position on the GC at 1.18 to Berzin and in front of Indurain. The win assured him a podium finish in Milan.

June 21, 1995: Pantani wins the 9th stage of the Tour of Switzerland at Flumserberg. He completes the Giro in 17th at 17.39 to Tonkov.

July 12, 1995: Pantani wins on Alpe d'Huez with Indurain 2nd at 1.24. He retained his position on GC.

July 16, 1995: He wins on Guzet-Neige in the Pyrenees after a 40 kms solo flight. Pantani finished the Tour in 13th position at 26.20 to Indurain.

July 19, 1997: Pantani misses 1996 after a bad accident on October 18 1995 during the Milan-Turin race. In 1997, he abandons the Giro after a fall on Cava de'Tirreni. At the Tour he attacks on Alpe d'Huez, and takes the stage alone with Ullrich back in third place.

July 21, 1997: The pirate consolidates his third position in the GC behind Ullrich and Virenque - with his success on Morzine. He completes the Tour in 3rd position at 14.03 behind Ullrich.

The old guys in Geelong

Brian Farrel reports from Victoria, Australia on the Victorian Veterans Cycling Council event at Woodstock near Bendigo. It was the second open handicap of the year hosted by the Central Vets. The sun shone but the wind blew and it was a really hard race with many good riders being dropped by the peloton. Brian was active in the hard pace and held on to the finish.

The winner was Geelong rider Peter Hoskins who has been on the sick list for the past 18 months but showed during this race that he is recovered Peter started at 11 mins (in front of the scratch bunch) rode right through the field catching the lead group in the last 5 kms. He then attacked and rode off into the head wind to a very convincing win. The bunch had no answers to his attack as everyone was tired after hard work in the wind.

Brian notes that he will be back on scratch next week. Next open is at Geelong on March 29.