Denis Leproux

Mapei owner Giorgio Squinzi Interview

"The decision is practically taken already. I have said that I would give an answer by April 30 and the announcement will come then. Although I see that you are curious...".

- It couldn't be otherwise, considering the importance of your team. And lately there has been some rumors of the passage to basketball in Milan...

"I've heard that and have also considered the possibility of acquiring a Formula 1 team, one of the top five in the circuit. If we were to leave cycling it would only be to take a break. But I don't know everything".

- Your presence in cycling is it tied up to the permanency of any group of cyclists in particular?

"Certainly those riders who's victories have built the image of the team: those of the original group, if that is understood".

- Are you interested in Vandenbroucke?

"We are very interested in Vandenbroucke, but I don't know if we will be succesful in keeping him because it is unpredictable. He is a charismatic rider".

- It is said that Bugno will not ride the Giro d'Italia: what do you think?

"I don't intervene in the decision of the directors, much less now that the team will have the responsibility to win the Giro".

- What about the Bugno's fan, what does he say?

"Bugno's fan would like to see him at the Giro or the Tour. He has told me that he's feeling stronger than last year, but he hasn't shown it yet".

- This Spring your team has achieved great wins: could that be an encouragement to continue or to leave with the perception that you have reached the maximum...

"We had already won at Flanders and Roubaix. The problem doesn't have anything to do with results...".

Pantani inspecting the climbs

Bike Cam for Giro d'Italia

Mapei team for Tour of Romandie

Olano Interview

- Are you willing to suffer like in 1997?

- It's not a matter of not suffering. The bicycle is suffering. The problem is when you suffer and don't perform. And that is what was happening to me. I'm very motivated to do something big at the next Tour.

- How are you able to hold yourself back in the middle of the season?

- This is not the type of cycling that I like. I prefer to start the season in form and win the biggest amount of races possible. But independently of what I like, I am adopting an effective strategy aimed at winning the Tour. As long as my dream is there, I will have to continue to fight in that way. If it is not possible to achieve it, I would have to change my planning.

- Are you happy with the way that your preparation is going?

- We are going little by little. The only important race that I abandoned was la Vuelta al País Vasco. It was because I had trained too much on the previous days and also so I wouldn't get sick because of the bad weather. Now the most important thing, more than results, is how I feel and I have to wait and make sure that time and health are good to me.

- How do you see Ullrich?

- Maybe he is too heavy, but it is still too early to draw any conclusions. The German still has more than 2 months to reach form.

- And the rest of your rivals for the Tour?

- Zülle, Virenque, Pantani there. They can get time from me in the six mountain stages and I can take time from them in the two time trials. Riis also counts, as long as he is cycling, he can do something.

- Do you think that when you are in form, you can match anyone?

- I hope that it'll be that way. What I am sure of is that if I am in a sweet moment in my form, I shouldn't be afraid of anybody.

- How is your team compared to last season?

- Riders have left, like Blanco or Casero, but we have also acquired good cyclists who have already achieved wins. The team is at a similar level than last year. At the Tour I will count on Manuel Beltrán, José María Jiménez and Orlando Rodrigues to help me in the mountains.

- Echávarri has said that your past performance was harmed because you didn't have time to blend well with the team. Has that passed already?

- I don't think that it was a problem, I didn't have any problem fitting in at Banesto. We have blended to perfection. The relationships are good and everything makes me optimistic about the Tour.

New Track for New York

"I am so excited about the potential a velodrome brings to the mountain biking also planned at the Ski Resort," said Vande Velde. "This will be a true cycling destination point with all aspects of the sport covered at one place -- Track, Road, Mtn Bike, and BMX." Added John Vande Velde, "The community leaders here in Sullivan County New York are really progressive and dynamic with the desire to make improvements in their community via recreational sports based tourism plan, my hat's off to them [County Manager - Jonathon Drapkin, County Visitor's Association President - Michael Davidson and Town of Thompson Supervisor - Tony Cellini] they realize the value cycling activities adds to the year-round economy."

Plans are to have the track up and running by August 1, 1998.

Tour of Germany

Berlin will be the annual start or finish town. The BDR wants to expand the tour to become a 14 day race but in the first year it has planned only for an 8-day race.

Roundup of Results

Budapest - MTB World Cup, Round 3, 53 kms:

 1. Thomas Frischknecht (Swi)
 2. Miguel Martinez (Fra)	approx 2.00
 3. Hubert Pallhuber (Ita)
..
15. Bas van Dooren (Ned)
69. Lucien de Louw (Ned)
76. Jan Weevers (Ned)

Bart Brentjens wasn't in Budapest after his car-accident last week.

Women's MTB

 1. Chantal Daucourt (Fra)
 2. Alison Dunlap (USA)		> 1.00
 3. Gunn Rita Dahle (Nor)

Two days of Wervershoof (Women)

Day 1

 1. Debby Mansveld (Gasselternijveen)
 2. Nicole Vermast (Amstelveen)
 3. Mirella van Melis (Venhorst)

Day 2

 1. Mirella van Melis (Venhorst)
 2. Debby Mansveld (Gasselternijveen)
 3. Van Zuylen (Oudewater)

Overall standing

 1. Debby Mansveld (Gasselternijveen)
 2. Mirella van Melis (Venhorst)
 3. Nicole Vermast (Amstelveen)

Wervershoof, West-Friese Dorpenomloop, Neo-amateurs:

 1. Barendse (Honselersdijk) 150 km in 3.29.57
 2. Bos (Alkmaar)
 3. Berkhout (Schipluiden)
 4. Lucassen (Margraten)
 5. Ribbers (Groenlo)

Eindhoven:

 1. Van Grinsven (Deurne) 100 km in 2.18.20
 2. Van Hest (Goirle)
 3. Van Katwijk (Valkenswaard)