The French are getting paranoid
This season has seen the stocks of French cycling fall to a nadir. Major races have failed to attract the best fields and the police have been harassing riders in several cities. The French fans were hoping for a revival in this Tour - and a stage win or two to boot! Well after nearly two weeks there has been no stage wins and it is now looking a bit grim for the host nation. There has never been a Tour to date which hasn't seen at least one French winner. But strangely, the French riders have been very aggressive in the first 11 stages. The most notable attack, which nearly succeeded came from Stephane Heulot who was caught just 4 kms from the top of L'Alpe d'Huez after a very long attack with another French rider Thierry Bourguignon. Richard Virenque had been aiming for a big win on that day himself - the French carnival day celebrating the storming of the Bastille.
But all is not lost yet. Remember that it was on the 15th day in 1993 that Pascal Lino saved the day for the French when he won in Perpignan. And also it took a while last year for Jacky Durand to win in Montauban.
To analyse the problem you have to remember that the first two weeks of this Tour is largely sprinting, ITT and climbing. Not much in between. With Laurent Jalabert mistreated by French cycling authorities and refusing to ride, the French lost a big sprint hope (although not in the league of Cipo and Co) and also their best climber overall. Moncassin was surprisingly excluded by Crédit Agricole and so there was little sprint power. In terms of the ITT, the French have very little strength in this area. The best climber is certainly in the field but underdone. Richard Virenque has admitted that the late uncertainty about his involvement has not helped his cause. In 1998, Christophe Rinero was the best climber after Virenque and co were thrown out of the Tour. He is having a poor tour and has never looked like the rider of last year.
Okay, so some of the poor overall showing can be explained in this way. Other observers have a different view. For example, the La Française des Jeux rider Christophe Bassons, who came out of the Festina scandal untainted - he refused to take part in the systemic doping that the other riders were alleged to have undergone - has been explicit. He said that the riders are not able to take as much dope this year and the tight drug controls in this Tour have shown the cheats from prior seasons up.
Lance not on drugs
The doctor who treated Lance Armstrong for cancer, Lawrence Einhorn, has publicly stated that he is enjoying the strong showing of his former patient but that it is the result of the Americans tremendous motivation and not drugs. He said: "I have heard all these allegations that Lance is on drugs and they are ridiculous. It is also ridiculous to state that the cancer was caused by him taking performance enhancing drugs."
The oncologist at the University of Indiana hospital said: "He has shown what a professional athlete he is. It is the result of his courage and character. He has shown what hard work can do."
Meanwhile, Lance himself reacted angrily to the allegations. He said: "It is not true. It is incredible that they can say that. I have been concentrating the whole season on being prepared for this race. I have been to two training camps for two weeks in the Alpes, and a week in the Pyrénées. I have become very knowledgable of the mountain stages."
The TV viewing is still attractive
Despite the somewhat tarnished image of cycling this year the Tour de France and the poor showing by the Dutch riders the Tour is still very popular for TV viewers in the Netherlands. The live coverages by NOS from start to finish of the mountain stages have ben very well supported. On Tuesday, the first mountain stage attracted 555,000 viewers and during the last 3 climbs 835,000. On Wednesday, the climb of l'Alpe d'Huez was seen by around 1.2 million Dutch viewers. That is some 10 per cent of the population.
The speculation has now turned to which race he will comeback in. The fancied tip is the Vuelta in September.
Also on Monday, Judge Raffaele Guariniello in Turin questioned the chairman of the Italian Cycling Federation, Gian Carlo Ceruti. Guariniello wanted details about riders who refused to work together with the anti-doping campaign being conducted by the Italian Olympic Committee.
July 10, Menasha, Wisconsin, 110 kms Criterium:
This first stage had a nice crowd and the weather was beautiful but it rained attacks right from the gun. The SmarTalk boys eagerly joined in the game. Leipheimer (Saturn) made an impressive solo attempt but the peloton was just too nervous. A five man break with riders from all big teams finally made a decisive move. SmarTalk was not represented and Harm and Pelle simply brought the break back within jumping distance and had Dave bridge solo. Dave did well picking up big premes and the Sprint points while Erik controlled threatening moves in the bunch. But when the break split up in two with Dave in the second part it was time for the boys to get back into action. Mercury, Saturn and Navigators controlled the peloton but when the Dutch Duo launched a move all they could do was watch! Harm and Pelle picked up country fellow John Talen (Batavus) and together they broke one lap record after the other and started a phenomenal chase! 7 miles left and 1min03 down. They also picked up Dave's group and the Dutch train was unstoppable. But they came 50 meters short to the two leaders in front!! They took a gamble and lost. Mercer (Navigators) beat Sayers (Mercury) for the win. Harm, Pelle and Dave took 6th through 8th. Dave also took the sprinters jersey. The SmarTalk riders made the race and without a doubt they will do so again soon.
July 11 Greendale Village Bike Race, Greendale:
SmarTalk in front from start to finish. Halfway a seven man break took off on the up and down course. The break initiated by Pelle qiuckly moved out of sight. Harm was in the move aswell while race leader Mercer (Navigators) missed the train. With ten minutes left they lapped the field and with the fast Fraser (Mercury) getting back to his team mates, he took today's win. Harm took second and motor Pelle took fourth. Dave completed the successful day by being the first rider of the bunch taking 8th! Fraser equals Harm in points and wears the leaders jersey because of his win but with Pelle and Dave following close the team is in great position for the overall.
Women: 1. Laura Van Gilder (Navigators) 2. Anna Wilson (Saturn) 3. Barbara Gradley (Fat Dog) 4. Kendra Wenzel (Timex) 5. Sandra Smith (Western Australia Institute)
July 12 Whitnall Park Road Race, Milwaukee
Women: 1. Dede Demet Barry (Saturn) 2. Clara Hughes (Saturn) 3. Barbara Gradley (Fat Dog) 4. Laura Van Gilder (Navigators) 5. Nicole Reinhart (Saturn) 6. Susy Pryde (Saturn) 7. Tiffany Pezzulo (Hind NRF) 8. Odessa Gunn (Timex) 9. Sandra Smith (Western Australian Institute) 10. Lisa Mason (Team Zedos) 11. Dana Vicker (Team Wisconsin) 12. Lenora Fecker (BrBc JogMate) 13. Elizabeth Morse (Children's First) 14. Sarah Halvorson (Hind NRF) 15. Anne Rollings (Team Wisconsin) 16. Tania Duff Miller (Counties Manikau) 17. Stacy Liddle (Peloton Racing) 18. Alexandra Yeung (Hong Kong National Team) 19. Julie DeWerd (Second City Cyclist) 20. Amy-Zellie Tremelling (Make a Wish Cycling) Overall International Cycling Classic Standings: 1. Laura VanGilder (Navigators) 2. Susy Pryde (Saturn) 3. Clara Hughes (Saturn) 4. Barbara Gradley (Fat Dog) 5. DeDe Demet (Saturn) 6. Tiffany Pezzulo (Hind NRF) 7. Anna Wilson (Saturn) 8. Sandra Smith (Western Australian Institute) 9. Dana Vicker (Team Wisconsin) 10. Kendra Wenzel (Timex)
July 13 Tour of Holy Hill Road Race, Hartford:
Women: 1. Susy Pryde (Saturn Cycling Team) 2. Odessa Gunn (Timex) 3. Anna Wilson (Saturn) 4. Nicole Reinhart (Saturn) 5. Laura Van Gilder (Navigators) 6. Tania Duff Miller (Counties Manikau) 7. Kendra Wenzel (Timex) 8. Clara Hughes (Saturn) 9. Barbara Gradley (Fat Dog) 10. Sandra Smith (Western Australian Institute)
July 14 Alpine Valley Road Race, East Troy
1997 Australian Cyclist of the Year and Australian National Criterium Champion Sandra Smith is currently racing in the US on her way to Europe. Last week she raced in the Fitchburg Classic, wher she managed a respectable 7th place in the final criterium. This week she is in Milwaukee racing in the International Cycling Classic or Super Week. Unlike most of the riders competing Sandra is riding as an independent in her WA Institute of Sport colours. She does not have the support of the US teams, such as Saturn and Timex, nevertheless her results to date speak for themselves. Sandra reports that: "Today's course was hilly and windy with 5 by 12km laps. Dede Demet went down the road, followed by Clara Hughes, then Anna Wilson went and then I went across to Anna and we stayed away. She did a number on me in the last lap, making me work all the way into the head/cross wind then attacked me on the climb 7kms from the finish. I got fourth, but am ecstatic. I'm getting better. Slowly but surely. Tomorrow is a rest day.
Port Fairy 100 kms Title, July 11:1. Brent McCaig (Bgo) 2. Rik McCaig (Bgo) 3. Simon Gerrans (Bnl) 4. Leigh Egan (Shp) 5. Paul Redenbach (Ftf) 6. Matthew Jackson (Fty) 7. Tim Bennett (Bgo) 8. Christopher Timms (Bbn) 9. James Baker (Bwk) 10. Andrew Torney (Fty) Men Under-19: 1. Joel Leonard (Fty) 2. Michael Knoff (Bbn) Port Fairy Criteriums Women Under-15: 1. Kylie Howlett (Art) 2. Renee Hoppen (Glw) 3. Victoria Freeland (Sgw) Women Under-17: 1. Carina O'Neill (Art) 2. Tiffany Godfrey (Glw) 3. Vanessa Crawford (Ham) 4. Saly Robins (Bfd) 5. Nicole Noonan (Ham) Men Under-15: 1. Brendon Schulz (Ham) 2. Ryan Brodie (Wbl) 3. Timothy Spencer (Ptf) 4. Dylan Maloney (Wbl) Men Under-17: 1. Jason Niblett (Hor) 2. Justin Evans (Art) 3. Alex Hoppen (Glw) 4. Tristian Hallewas (Wbl) Women: 1. Emma Rickards (Nor) 2. Lia Sarto (Car) 3. Claire Baxter 4. Katherine Martin Veteran: 1. Phil Tehan (Fty) 2. Colin Morris (Fty) 3. Tony Murrell (Fty) 4. Brendon Pendergast (Wbl) Cecil Shore Memorial, Hamilton 75 1. Dean Callaway off 19 mins 2. Bill Huntington off 32 mins 3. Phil Goldburg off 36 mins 4. Stephen Hickey off 28 mins 5. Colin Morris off 28 mins 6. Ross Lumley off 32 mins 7. Barry Warren off 32 mins 8. Malcolm Clayton off 19 mins 9. Tony Murrell off 28 mins 10. Barry Webster off 32 mins Fastest Time: Leigh Egan off scratch First Female: Kim Howard 36 mins Sprint Premies: Kanawalla - Martin Fidge Cavendish - Martin Fidge Kanawalla - Martin Fidge Hamilton - Nick Coutts Byaduk Edward Harman Weerangourt - Edward Harman Macarthur - Edward Harman Macarthur - Mal Clayton Byaduk Edward Harman Black Hill - Edward Harman Carinya - Edward Harman Local Rider Prizes: 1. Mal Clayton 2. Dean McLaren 3. Paul Bast Hamilton Junior Races Men Under-17: 1. Jason Niblett (Hor) 2. Edward Freeland (Sgw) 3. Leigh Slorach (Wbl) 4. Leigh Clifford (Glw) 5. Nathan Cook (Wbl) Men Under-15: 1. Brendon Schultz (Ham) 2. Tim Spencer (Ptf) 3. Dillon Maloney (Wbl) Women Under-17: 1. Vanessa Crawford (Ham) 2. Nicole Noonan (Wbl) 3. Sally Robins (Bfd) Women Under-15: 1. Renee Hoppen (Glw) 2. Simone Riddle (Ham)