News for November 13, 1999

O'Grady back on track

Australian cyclist Stuart O'Grady (Credit Agricole), who suffered a focal seizure before last weekend's Noosa Criterium, is expecting to resume training shortly, despite earlier fears that he would have to stop for at least one month. The seizure was caused by a blood clot in his brain resulting from his mugging in Toulouse 2 months ago.

After consultation with a neurologist during the week, he was informed that he could continue training while the blood clot reduced. However, he will have to take medication for it to ensure that he doesn't experience a relapse. He is still hoping to regain his fitness to compete in the Tour Down Under in January, that he won last year.

Armstrong and Dunlap nominated

American riders, Lance Armstrong and Alison Dunlap have been nominated for the US Olympic Committee's Sportsman and Sportswoman of the year, while Armstrong's US Postal team was nominated for the Team of the Year. It is the second successive year that these athletes and team have been nominated for the awards, the USA Cycling Federation announced on Friday.

Last year, Armstrong was second in the awards though the Tour de France winner might have a stronger case this year. He has also been USA Cycling's athlete of the year on four occasions - 1991, 1993, 1998, and this year.

Alison Dunlap came 4th at the World MTB Championships in Sweden this year, as well as winning two national titles. The multi-talented athlete also competed at the World Road Championships in Verona, Italy this year. She has been USA Cycling's Female Athlete of the Year on two occasions.

The Tour de France US Postal team, consisting of Frankie Andreu, Lance Armstrong, Pascal Deramé, George Hincapie, Tyler Hamilton, Kevin Livingston, Peter Meinert-Nielsen, Christian Vandevelde, and Jonathon Vaughters were the first US squad to support a tour winner. In 1999, the achievements of these riders include: Vaughters' wins in the Route du Sud and Red Zinger Classic, Casey's third place in the tour of Holland, Hamilton's Tour of Denmark win, Hincapie's win in the First Union Classic and his fourth place in Paris-Roubaix, and Vandevelde's win in the Redlands Classic, as well as third in the Three Days of Dunkirk.

The finalists for the Olympic Committee's awards will be announced in December, and the winners in January of next year.

Nutra-Fig 2000

US third division team, Nutra-Fig has finalised its roster for next year. The team which was restarted in 1998 has the following on its lists:

Jamul Hahn, Alex Gardner, Aaron Olsen, Donald Reeb, Ron Schmeer and Jason Van Marle are returning from 1999, while Ryan Allison, John Foster, Jesse Kiefer and Kenny Williams will be new in 2000.

In addition, will also have two amateur riders for next year: Ryan Miller and Zack Vestal.