News for January 3, 1999

Women's World Cup to expand

As 1998 closed, the UCI announced that there would be 3 more races in the Women's World Cup for 1999. 1998 saw the introduction of an organised world cup for women along the lines of the men's event. The introduction was judged to be successful. The official UCI statement said: "Based on the success of the first edition, the World Cup will be repeated after the winter break. The optimism of the UCI technicians about the prospects of women's cycling has convinced the members of the management committee to accept the completion of the second phase of the project which will involve the addition of three further races in New Zealand, Italy and Belgium in 1999. Women's cycling is growing and the UCI is ever more committed to supporting its development."

The three races added to the series will be the long-standing women's event in Hamilton (NZ), the Primavera Rosa which partially follows the route of the Milan-San Remo (Italy), and the Belgian classic the Waalse Pijl (Fleche Wallone), which is a cut down version of the men's event also.

Luxembourg, Kayl, International Cyclocross, Cat 2, January 2

On New Year's Day in Petange (Lux) Daniele Pontoni won the Cat 2 cross race in devastating fashion. He repeated the dose in the Cat 2 race at Kayl (Lux) the following day but he did not have it all his own way.

Little-known Polish rider, Darius Gil dominated the first 3 laps but after that point the race was controlled by Pontoni. He rode away on the 4th lap and no-one seemed to react or could react.

He is now hoping to maintain his form for today's fifth World Cup round at Zeddam (Ned). His weekend form was in stark contrast to his 16th place in the Super Prestige Trophy round at the Friesland town of Surhuisterveen earlier in the week. Despite receiving a hefty starting fee he rode at Surhuisterveen like a "cyclo-tourist". 

 1. Daniele Pontoni (Ita)           	       59.44
 2. Wim De Vos (Ned) 				0.18
 3. Peter Willemsens (Bel) 			0.35
 4. Darius Gil (Pol)				0.54
 5. Christophe Morel (Fra)			1.19
 6. Pascal van Riet (Bel)			2.06
 7. David Willemsens (Bel)			2.08
 8. Jean-Yves Duzellier (Fra)			2.12
 9. Radec Tichy (Cze)           		2.16
10. David Derepas (Fra)            		2.19