News for August 25, 1999

Contracts and Transfers

* Rudi Kemna has resigned with Batavus for another two years.

Troubles in Dutch teams

There are reports from the Netherlands that TVM manager Cees Priem is angry about the poaching tactics of rival Dutch team Rabobank. TVM is generally falling on tough times at present despite the victory by their sprinter Jeroen Blijlevens in the first stage of the Ronde van Nederland. Firstly, what about the future if Blijlevens after all the reports of a secret meeting with an Italian team? He said after winning the first stage: "I will make a decision after the Ronde van Nederland has finished. But after all the rumours that have been circulating I am very glad about my teammates. They worked for 100 percent for me today." Priem's reaction to the rumours was: "A contract is a contract". The dispute that is looming centres on the belief by Blijlevens that his contract has only an option for another year.

But there are more problems for TVM. Steven de Jongh has signalled that he wants to leave TVM and transfer to Rabobank. Cees Priem in angry about the way Rabobank recruits: "We are no training school for other teams. First Den Bakker went, now De Jongh, who will be next?"

Steven de Jongh wants to leave Rabobank because he doesn't feel comfortable at TVM any longer. He said: "I am stale and I need a change." One of the reasons that he is disenchanted with TVM relates to the failure of the team to start in this year's Tour de France. De Jongh was angry that TVM did not mount a legal challenge against the refusal of the organisers to allow them to ride. Rabobank team manager Theo de Rooy has confirmed his interest in De Jongh. Australian sprinter Robbie McEwen has fallen out with the team and is leaving at the end of the season. De Jongh, while not a real sprinter is being touted as McEwen's successor at Rabobank. De Rooy was asked about Blijlevens? He replied with a smile: "We don't have the budget for Blijlevens".

France, 38th GP des Marbriers, Elite Cat 1.6, 163.2 kms:

Amateur French rider Pascal Pofilet (CC Etupes) won the 38th GP des Marbriers held in the Northern French town of Bellignies. He was part of a breakaway and attacked his partners in the closing stages to win by 24 seconds.

AVS: 41.313 km/h

 1. Pascal Pofilet (Fra)/CC Etupes                    3.57.01
 2. Oleg Kozlitine (Kaz) VC Saint-Quentin                0.24
 3. Ronald Mutsaars (Ned) Rabobank                       0.24
 4. Pascal Carlot (Fra) Nogent                           0.24
 5. Nicolas Dumont (Fra)                                 0.33

Old bike is worth some!

A bike claimed to be more than a 100 years old has recorded the highest auction price in England. A middle eastern collector battled with a similarly minded person from the US to take the English 1891 Diamond Frame Safety Bicycle for $US170,600. The auctioneers had estimated it would go for only 1300 pounts (it sold for 105,750 pounds!). The previous highest price was for an 1880's Otte tricycle - 46,000 pounds.