News for December 3, 1999

VDB update

By Tomas Nilsson

On Thursday, the management of Cofidis expressed its surprise over Frank Vandenbroucke's decision to leave the team, and it's still uncertain how the team will react in "judicial" terms.

"We have a contract with Frank. He interprets things in his own manner. But we will not react as quickly as he attacked," said the sponsoring credit company's general manager, François Migraine (ouch) to newsagency AFP.

It is also clear that Vandenbroucke expressed his understanding for Cofidis' decision to suspend him in May, admitting his error in taking homeopathic substances. At the moment it seems that next season, Cofidis will be without Vandenbroucke, whatever legal actions might arise.

However, their ambitions will be considerably lower, although M. Migraine is trying to raise hopes among the "leftovers." When VDB came to Cofidis, his compatriots Peter Farazijn and Nico Mattan were recruited as more or less personal domestiques. Swiss climber Roland Meier also has good qualities, but had a lousy season this year.

"It is a serious damage to the team, not only that he is a champion but also the date," said the team's general manager Alain Bondue, who has no options to replace Vandenbroucke at the moment. Bondue was very surprised by Vandenbroucke's decision: "I was in negotiations with a Belgian masseur at Frank's request, and last week his father was here to inspect the bikes," Bondue said Thursday.

Vandenbroucke was also interviewed by a Belgian news paper on Tuesday where he expressed his ambitions for the Tour, but also his doubts that his team mates were strong enough to hold off the teams of US Postal or ONCE. He also said that the Team Time Trial stage would be the biggest problem in the Tour.

Cofidis has managed to lose several good riders. They had Lance Armstrong under contract when he was diagnosed with cancer and were not willing to take a chance on his recovery, so he was lost to a better offer from US Postal. Bobby Julich, third in the '98 Tour, fell in this year's Tour and probably found the team "a bit crowded" with VDB, who had already expressed ambitions for the Tour at the signing last autumn. Julich went to Crédit Agricole, who badly need a man for the Tour.

It remains to be seen where Frank will go - as cyclingnews.com reported yesterday he may choose to remain with Cofidis, provided they offer more cash. Time will tell.

Lance awarded Velo d'or

Lance Armstrong has added to his trophy cabinet once more. This time, he has won the French magazine's highly prestigious award, the Velo d'Or for the best rider of the year. In second place was Jan Ullrich for his strong comeback in the latter half of the season, and in third place was World Cup winner, veteran Andrei Tchmil.

Saturn signs Klasna

By John Alsedek

On December 1st, the Saturn Cycling Team announced the signing of Trent Klasna. Klasna (30) comes over from the Navigators professional squad, where he won eight races in 1998, including the Killington Stage Race. His career highlights include riding the 1998 World Professional Road Race and second overall in the '97 Herald Sun Tour.

Unrest persists at Lotto

Despite Andrei Tchmil's World Cup victory, Lotto still lack a co-sponsor after mobile phone operator, Mobistar's contract is running out and the company has decided to spend its money elsewhere. The company Vosschemie that have sponsored minor teams before has shown some interest, but they were not accepted by the Lotto management.

According to German Radsport news, it is also unclear what sports director Jean Luc Vandenbroucke is supposed to do. The Lotto company's management want him to concentrate on the sports activities, leaving administration and financial matters to others. However, how this is to happen, Jean Luc Vandenbroucke isn't fully sure.

It was only a month ago that the Lotto management bought four new riders without consulting Vandenbroucke, although everything was later settled between the sports director and the Lotto management.

Andersson rider of the year

The Swedish rider of the year award, "The Postrider", has been awarded to World Championships silver medallist Michael Andersson, for the sixth time in his career. Andersson is awaiting a sponsoring decision from the Swedish Olympic Committee before he decides about contract for next year. He rode for folding team Acceptcard, and hadn't raced for six weeks before the World's, and is probably seeking a solution that would allow him the same preparation for the Olympics rather than fly in straight from some European race.

The women's award went to ITT ace Jenny Algelid, Team Lolland-Falster. MTB riders Kristian Eriksson, Örons SK MTB, and Annica Jonsson, Team Cycle Pro CK, were also awarded.