News for May 21, 1999

Vlaanderen 2002 involved in drugs probe

The prosecutor in Chambery has issued a statement saying that he was conducting an investigation into a bag that was found dumped at a rest area near the main road during last years Tour of the Future (also known as the Tour de l'Avenir). The bag contained drugs that were banned in France and thus the enquiry involves the customs as well as the police. The connection with Vlaanderen 2002 has been made because a road worker has told the prosecution that he witnessed the bag being dumped from the Vlaanderen 2002 team bus. When he went and examined the bag he found drugs and syringes inside.

3 Australian Track riders suspended for drugs

3 members of the national track team have been suspended by the Australian Institute of Sport because of allegations that they have used drugs outside the permission of the team medical staff. The riders are Josh Kersten (kilo), Tim Lyons (pursuit) and Tim O'Shannessy (pursuit). The executive director of the Australian Sport's Commission Jim Ferguson told national radio tonight that the three were detected during routine and regular scanning of the riders in the national program. He declined to say what the drugs were. However, the interviewer proceeded to question him about ephedrine and codeine. He didn't deny that these were the drugs involved and proceeded to speculate about whether these drugs would bring a 2 year ban or something lighter. He said it "depended on the circumstances."

Conflicting reports about Jalabert and Virenque

Reports came out this morning that Laurent Jalabert and Richard Virenque would not be allowed to start in the French road championship to be held in Clermont-Ferrand later in June.

Technical director for the FFC, Patrick Cluzaud said at a press conference on Wednesday that: "The rules are clear. Each rider who has not undergone the medical tests specified by the FFC will not be allowed to start."

However, Richard Virenque, despite earlier reports, can start in the French Championship on June 27. Daniel Baal, the president of the French Cycling Federation (FFC) said that Virenque was able to start in the race because he had submitted to a "longitudinal medical examination" to check for banned substances. The tests were requested by the FFC for all riders who intended riding in the national championships. However, Laurent Jalabert has not done the testing and has instead chosen to undertake the UCI testing.

Baal said: "For Jalabert, I think it is too late. I wrote to him twice during the winter to tell him of our new regulations and I have heard nothing from him."

Giro snippets

A controversy is capturing some attention during the Giro. The leading riders of at least two teams have been sleeping each night in a hyperbaric chamber with the aim of increasing their hematocrit (red blood cell) levels without the use of drugs.

Meanwhile, out on the road, Marco Pantani gave his first form report to the Italian press: "I'm riding calmly, in the middle of a very fast race".

And race leader Laurent Jalabert? He was born in Mazamet, Southern France on November 30, 1968. He is married to Sylvie and they have three children - Pauline (8), Charlotte (5) and Louis (one month old). He is 1.77 cms and 67 kgs. He has been a professional since 1989 and has 135 wins to his credit, including 10 already this season. His most important wins have been at Milano-San Remo, the 1995 Vuelta, the Tour of Lombardy, Waalse Pijl and the World Championship Time Trial in 1997. he has won two Tour de France stages, where he has worn the leader's yellow jersey twice. He has won 18 Vuelta stages and has worn the leader's Amarillo Jersey 24 times. Yesterday he achieved his first win at the Giro d'talia. Jaja has a contract with Team ONCE until the year 2000.

Finland, Pyhjärven Ajot, Elite without Contract, May 15-17

Local rider Jukka Heinikainen won the stage race Pyhjärven Ajot in Finland after an impressing TT on Stage 2. In Finland, he is racing for IF Länken and in Sweden for Team Wirsbo. Internationally the two teams join forces under the name most convienient at the occasion. Also noteworthy from this race: Third Conny Björkman is at age 41 better than ever.

Stage 1, 100 kms:

 1. Andrus Aug (Est) TuUL 			     2.12.52
 2. Jukka Heinikainen (Fin) IF Länken
 3. Örjan Gustavsson (Swe) Skoghalls CK Hammarö
 4. Conny Björkman (Swe) Skoghalls CK Hammarö 		0.05
 5. Christian Selin (Fin) IF Länken 			0.11

Stage 2, 20 kms TT:

 1. Jukka Heinikainen (Fin) IF Länken 		       25.16
 2. Tobias Lergård (Swe) Skoghalls CK Hammarö 		1.20
 3. Sami Hiltunen (Fin) Ruskon Y 			1.28

GC after stage 2:

 1. Jukka Heinikainen (Fin) IF Länken 		     2.38.08
 2. Tobias Lergård (Swe) Skoghalls CK Hammarö 		1.32
 3. Sami Hiltunen (Fin) Ryskon Y 			1.40

Stage 3 60 mins+ 3 laps:

 1. Andrus Aug (Est) TuUL 			     1.07.10
 2. Jukka Heinikainen (Fin) IF Länken
 3. Örjan Gustavsson (Swe) Skoghalls CK Hammarö
 4. Johan Nyman (Swe) IF Länken				s.t.

GC after Stage 3:

 1. Jukka Heinikainen (Fin) IF Länken 		     3.45.18
 2. Tobias Lergård (Swe) Skoghalls CK Hammarö 		1.32
 3. Sami Hiltunen (Fin) Ryskon Y 			1.40

Stage 4 180 kms:

 1. Andrus Aug (Est) TuUL 4.37.20 (bunch sprint)

Final GC:

 1. Jukka Heinikainen (Fin) IF Länken 		     8.22.38
 2. Tobias Lergård (Swe) Skoghalls CK Hammarö 		1.32
 3. Conny Björkman (Swe) Skoghalls CK Hammarö		1.55

Thanks to Tomas Nilsson, Sweden

USA, Clarendon Cup, May 16:

Men:

 1. Todd Littlehales                   2500
 2. Eddy Gragus			       1250
 3. Jonas Carney			850
 4. Robbie Ventura			640
 5. Kevin Monahan			500
 6. Mark McCormack			420
 7. Roberto Gagiolli			360
 8. Marty Jemison			325
 9. Christian Vande Velde		300
10. John Lieswyn			250
11. Ashley Powell			230
12. Chris Pic				215
13. Rainiel Sanchez			200
14. Chad Gerlach			180
15. Ryan Oelkers			170
16. Steve Sevener			160
17. Vasiliy Davidenko 			150
18. Torrey Marks			140
19. Chris Fisher			135
20. Corey Fisher			125

Women:

 1. Nichole Reinhart 		       1250
 2. Laura Vangilder			625
 3. Jennifer McRae			425
 4. Kendra Wenzel			325
 5. Tina Mayolo				275
 6. Nicole Freedman			220
 7. Erin Carter				180
 8. Shannon Hutchison			160
 9. Rosalind Reekie			140
10. Annette Kamm			130
11. Aleka Skeuras			120
12. Angie Vargus			110
13. Julie Hanson			100
14. Dana Walton				 90
15. Sandra Kolb				 85
16. Ashley McCollugh			 80
17. Emily Wilson			 75
18. Amy Jarvis				 70
19. Sophie St. Jacques			 70
20. Odessa Gunn				 70