News for November 24, 1999Toupargel and Bonjour One of the new French teams in the peloton, Bonjour has attracted some more sponsorship for next year. The "Tourpargel" company, which specialises in the home delivery of food, will be a co-sponsor of the team. The company intends to invest approximately FF 4 million ($US 650,000) for the year, around 0.6 percent of their annual turnover.
Extebarria scores a cow Spanish rider David Extebarria, who won stage 12 (Saint-Galmier - Saint-Flour) of the Tour de France this year, will be given a cow for his efforts. The cow, named "Nana" will be presented to him on Friday by Pierre Jarlier, the mayor of Saint-Flour. He intends to take it home to his parents in the Basque country.
Plaza fed up Benfica Lisboa will have Melchior Mauri in the squad next year while David Plaza is leaving after having enough of the Portuguese team's financial troubles in 1999. For Mauri, his main objective is the Tour of Portugal in July-August. Miguel Moreno has signed neo pro Gonzalo Bayarri from Sodexho-Morella to his new team Costa Almeria - Jazztel. Belgian News Courtesy of Frank Gonzalez Frank Vandenbroucke has resumed road training (why now?) after breaking his right scaphoid in the World Championships in October. He is not yet fully recovered, but is able to use a triathlon-style handlebar to rest his arms on. Number one Belgian team, Lotto, is still looking for a sponsor for next year after Mobistar pulled out this year. One possibility is RDM, who currently sponsor Etienne de Wilde, Matt Gilmore and Frank Corvers. They would like to take these riders to Lotto as one of the conditions of the sponsorship.
Blue Band precedes Zürich six days The 40th edition of the "Blauem Band von Zürich" will be held Sunday, the day before the six days race in Oerliker Hallenstadion. All the riders competing in the six day race will participate as well as many others, around 60 riders in total. The races will start with a Madison with 17 pairs(!) on the 250 m track. There will also be a sprinters competition, a stayer race and races for women and juniors.
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