News for October 30, 1999
Bartoli's training delayed
By Tomas Nilsson, cyclingnews.com correspondent World Cup winner of 1997 and 1998 Michele Bartoli (Mapei-Quick Step), is suffering from complications in the knee that he hurt badly in the Tour of Germany in early June. The 29 year old Italian will have to postpone his training start by several weeks since the healing process has slowed down considerably. He had a number of screws taken out from the knee a couple of weeks ago and was expected to resume training by end of October. But, a magnetic resonance test at a clinic in Como showed that a tendon in the knee has thickened and thus the knee motion is disturbed. "I knew that there might be complications. I must under any circumstances be fully recovered. I must, and will, get my full capacity back, and I know that the suffering of the past months will pay off in the future," said Bartoli.
Belgian Federation might split The board of the Ligue Vélocipédique Belge (LVB) has started a committee to see whether it is possible to separate the federation in two - one Flemish and one Walloonian. "We have been asked by Flemish politicians to see whether a parting is possible to decentralize the organization. Other national sports federations have gotten the same question, but it doesn't mean that we will split," said LVB spokesman Toon van Damme. Belgian press, especially the francophone Wallonian, considers the split already decided. A parliamentary decision of 1980 says that sports is not a federal field but should be handled by the two regional Flemish and Walloonian, authorities. Therefore, according to the newly elected Flemish minister for sports, Johan Sauwers, the sport ought to gain on a split. However, Belgium will under all circumstances be considered as one nation internationally.
Nürnberger signs Baldinger Second division Team Nürnberger has signed Telekom's Dirk Baldinger on a one year contract. The 28 year old all-rounder has not lived up to expectations this year in Telekom. "Dirk is strengthening us enormously. With his experience he will raise the level of the team. It is crucial that he is able to transform from a domestique to a leader. Then he will make us all happy," said team boss Udo Sprenger. Baldinger was the German amateur champion in 1994 and was recruited from after two years at Polti to Telekom in 1998 and is a good friend of Jan Ullrich. After his fairly quiet season, Telekom's team boss Walter Godefroot was unwilling to renew his contract. But ater four years as a helper he will now become a leader at the side of Bert Dietz. The Team Nürnberger squad for 2000: Klaus Diewald , Bert Dietz, Raphael Schweda, Jens Zemke, Jörn Reuß, Jürgen Werner, Thomas Liese, Roland Müller, Alex Kastenhuber, Klaus Diewald Newcomers: Dirk Baldinger, Holger Sievers, Thorsten Wilhelms, Artour Babaitsev, Heinrich Trumheller and Christoph Göring Portuguese teams and contractsThe Portuguese team Maia/MSS will have the following riders on it's roster next year: Directeur Sportif: Manuel Zeferino The Russian sprinter, Serguei Smetanine (26, Vitalicio) has signed a contract with Portuguse team SL Benfica from next two years. Vitalicio's other Russian, Andrei Zintchenko has signed a contract with the other Portuguese team LA/Pecol/Alpiarça, also for two years.
Other contractsA new Italian team, Colpak, is joining the peloton under the management of Polti's assisting Directeur Sportif, Antonio Bevilacqua. He brings with him Mauro Zinetti, Gianluca Valoti, Andrea Nencini und Denis Lunghi with the idea that the team should be something of a Polti supporting team. Cofidis is presenting it's two latest newcomers. Four neo pros will ride with the team next year: Italian Angelo Lopeboselli, 22 years, Luxemburgian Tom Flammang, 21, and earlier signings Stéphane Krafft, 20 and Yoann Le Boulanger, 23. Sprinter Mickaël Bourgain, 19, has been signed for the track squad.
Giro di CampagneThe Giro di Campagne started in 1911 and was run 62 times until 1993. Next year it will come back on the international calendar, preliminary date: March 20. |