News for February 15, 1999

Jalabert continues to talk

Q. We are still living through what happened in 1998. How does this affect you?

A. It's a waste of energy and we are having to eat this for nothing, because in the end nothing will be resolved.

Q. Aren't you perturbed by everything that's been said about ONCE, that they don't want to race in France, because they have something to hide.

A. One needs to be at peace with oneself and comfortable with what you think. The truth is that I have nothing to hide. if the team takes me to France, I'll be happy, and if they decide not to go, then I have to respect that. But of course, it isn't because I have something to hide. If I go or not, people are always going to talk. So what does one have to do? I just worry about my own things and let everybody else talk.

Q. Aren't you mad that you won't show off your French National Champion jersey in your country? Have people thrown it on your face?

A. The French are never happy. I'm carrying the flag in the foreign countries with honesty, so that nobody can say anything to me. Who cares? Anyway there is a French flag in every City Hall.

Q. The organizers of some French races say that if you don't go the races will fold.

A. I'm happy that this is happening, but not to the organisers. It is important though that French cycling realize that cyclists are also needed and that they need to consider our thoughts if they don't want everything to sink.

Q. But the press is talking about a summary and a judicial process. And if doctor leaks the results of analysis, that is not the press' fault.

A. Yes, but there are coincidences that aren't coincidences. For the press to find out before the riders, it means that there is a will to get in the way of what's happening. And you are not going to convince me that the press is not enjoying this. We are making an effort to lift the sport and behind us they are just looking for something negative to report in the new controls so they can sink the sport more and more every day. Things aren't going to be fixed that way.

Q. Is the doping problem so serious that this shock treatment is needed?

A. No, I don't think so. The way people are talking about it, it sounds like it is a problem only in cycling and I doubt that it is like that. I'm sure that it isn't like that.

Q. Isn't it better to start at zero?

A. If you have self respect you will take care of yourself. I have a family, two daughters, now I'm having another kid. What do I care more about? To win 10 more races, if I have already won more than 100? Or enjoy life? It is clear, that I want to enjoy life.

Trofeo Laigueglia - Tuesday

The 36th edition of the Trofeo Laigueglia will be held on Tuesday and it has attracted a top field for the 172.6 km journey. 200 riders from 22 teams will be contesting the Italian event. Already confirmed is the World Champion Oskar Camenzind, who will be riding for his new Lampre-Daikin team. Polti have also entered a strong team with Gotti, Celestino, Rebellin and Guidi. Mapei-Quick Step has included Tonkov, Merckx, Di Grande and Figueras. Saeco-Cannondale will be entering a strong squad with Petito and Savoldelli leading the team.

Other noted riders are Baldato, Ferrigato (Ballan-Alessio), Hamburger, Colombo, Di Luca (Cantina Tollo-Alexia), Miceli, Teteriuk (Liquigas), Richard (Mobilvetta), Malberti, Schiavina (Riso Scotti), Bortolami (Caldirola) and Berzin (Amica Chips).

Pascal Hervé speaks out

Pascal Hervé, the only rider from the Festina team other than Richard Virenque who maintained his innocence in the drugs scandal last year, said that that cyclists "were overpowered by the system. Everybody has admitted that there was a lot of nonsense circulating. We have to throw away the bullshit. We are being overtaken by the system and we need to retake control, but the power of money can also do much. When you are inside a system, it's difficult to back up and think about things, unless you follow Gilles Delion, who left the peloton after denouncing the doping. Even though I don't know him well, he is an honest kid who has denounced many things without commercializing his information." This was in reference to the recent book by Erwann Méntheour. The French rider concluded: "Doping is something personal and not organised and the riders are free to do what they want with their bodies. Some, it's true, voluntarily cheat, while others live in the system".

UCI President urges teams not to panic

The president of the UCI, Hein Verbruggen has issued a statement in reply to ONCE-Deutsche Bank manager Manolo Saiz's claim that he will not be taking his team to France this year unless clarification is given by French authorities about their new drug laws. Saiz said he would not go to France to be part of the Festina trial in front of the investigating judge Patrick Keil unless the conditions were met. ONCE have already withdrawn from Paris-Nice, the first major stage race of the year.

Despite the successful efforts of the UCI to scuttle the uniform drug penalties at the recent IOC summit, Verbruggen told the press: "We are the most advanced Federation in the struggle against doping."

And what of the claim that the UCI is soft-shoeing on drugs relative to the French? He said: "It's ridiculous. All professional riders are followed in the same way. It's useless blaming neighboring countries. The rules are applied everywhere."

Rabobank will ride Paris-Nice

Rabobank has decided to ride in Paris-Nice (starting on March 7) after they were snubbed by the organisation of Tirreno-Adriatico (March 10-17). The Italian organisers did not invite the Rabobank team to compete this year. Rabobank spokesman Frank van der Meijden said: "We had contact in January. We thought we were invited again, the same as last year. But last Wednesday the organisation told us they didn't have any space in the field for our team."

The alternative for Rabobank then became Paris-Nice, which looked somewhat depleted with the sudden withdrawal of ONCE-Deutsche Bank and the shortfall of sponsorship revenue this year.

The Rabobank team will include Michael Boogerd, Leon Van Bon, Markus Zberg, Maarten Den Bakker, Robbie McEwen, Erik Dekker and Marc Wauters. The major difference between Tirreno-Adriatico and Paris-Nice is that riders have more time to rest after the French tour before travelling to Italy for Milan-San Remo.

French cops at it again

The French Police searched the Lampre-Daikin truck after Stage 2 of the Tour Mediterrannean without anything suspect being found. The police also took the suitcase of Mapei team leader Patrick Lefevere for an inspection. Again nothing was found. Lefevere reacted: "So, may we not even work anymore without harassment. There is now an attitude that anyone who is in France with a suitcase is suspected. It has become ridiculous."

Scott Sunderland update

Scott has started back in his attempt to come back after serious injuries sustained when he was hit by Cees Priem's car during the Amstel Gold Race last year. But things are not going to well at present. He is now off his bike again with a serious tendinitis problem in his right foot. According to the doctors it is a direct result of the lower back problem he now has as a result of the accident last year. He is trying to compensate for the back problem and it is putting strain on his pelvis and legs. He also has weaker muscles following the 9-month layoff and the sudden ramping up of his training has contributed. He is receiving laser therapy and other assistance and will not be able to ride for a few weeks. He was due to start in the Ruta del Sol but will now not be racing until at least March.

Dirk Muller injured

Dirk Muller fell during Stage 9 of the Tour of Langkawi and has sustained a broken collarbone and extensive bruising.

USA, Fresno, Pine Flats Road Race, February 13

20+ of California's best women cyclist lined up today for the hilly 62 mile road race east of Fresno. The course in itself is demanding but those preparing for Redlands felt it was a perfect tune-up. Things started to heat up in the 2nd half of the race when Shari Kain attacked relentlessly along with Cynthia Ferguson and Nicole Freeman. Nicole dangled off the front for a few miles before the major climbs when I pretended she was my teammate so that the attacks would lessen. This worked as the group let me tempo at the front and save myself for the climb. I have done this race 4 times and remember the climbing at the end being continual and some of my most painful memories. I wasn't disappointed and fortunate to have the talented up and comer Cathryn Lee with me for the potential lonely grueling final 20 kms. 

1. Pam Schuster (Timex)
2. Cathryn Lee (Simply Fit)
3. Rhonda Quick (Cyclevets)
4. Berlinda Heerwagon
5. Shari Kain (Ralph's Polo)
6. Jane Depas (D.A.R.E.)
7. Aileen Loe (Simply Fit)
8. Cynthia Mommsen (Olympic Club)
9. Cynthia Ferguson

Belgium, Eeklo, International Cyclocross, GP Geert De Vlaeminck, Cat A, February 13

 1. Sven Nijs (Bel) Rabobank
 2. Bart Wellens (Bel)                       0.30
 3. Ben Berden (Bel)
 4. Mario De Clercq (Bel) Palmans-Ideal      0.47