McEwen to TVM?, Camenzind not for Telekom The Dutch daily newspaper Algemeen Dagblad has reported that Cees Priem from TVM-Farm Frites has discussed a two-year contract with Robbie McEwen while in Spain at the Vuelta e Espana, where McEwen is currently placed third overall in the points competition. But first Priem has to come to an agreement with Jeroen Blijlevens, who wants to leave the team and join Polti. Blijlevens has a contract for next year with TVM-Farm Frites but wants to leave so he can sign for two years with Polti. The sprinter's advisor, Orlando van den Bosch, who is also manager of the Dutch speedskater Gianni Romme and Bob de Jong, said: "It's clear. Blijlevens wants to leave. What can TVM/Farm Frites do with an unwilling rider? I will contact Cees Priem next week for an appointment." However, Priem did not want to confirm his talks with the Australian sprinter: "I know nothing about it. I have already a sprinter with Blijlevens..."It seems that the team roster for Deutsche Telekom in 2000 is starting to take shape, but one rider who is unlikely to be with them is current world road race champion Oscar Camenzind (Lampre-Daikin). Telekom's Walter Godefroot told Radsport-News: "It's for 90 percent sure Oscar Camenzind won't come to Telekom. We talked to him last week and he should let us know his decision on Monday. But now he wants another week time for reflection.' Godefroot then went to Spain on Monday night: "We still want a new rider for next season". New riders confirmed for Telekom include: Stephan Schreck (Team Köstritzer); Matthias Kessler (until now Telekom-under 23); Gerhard Trampusch (4th in the European Championships under 23); Stephan Schreck; Ralf Grabsch (from Team Cologne, he already started in the Vuelta for Telekom); Gian-Matteo Fagnini (from Saeco, he will help Erik Zabel in the sprints).
Other news: Francesco Frattini has retired from professional racing, while there are no new contracts for Giovanni Lombardi and Dirk Baldinger. And there are still question marks about the future of Bjarne Riis and Telekom, as well as Raphael Schweda. He should have signed with Team Nürnberger, but from 2001 he will be with Telekom.
Race results
Marmande, France, GP de Tomate Cat 1.6, September 13Slovenian Tadei Valjavec won the GP de Tomate after leaving his breakaway companion, Kjell Carlström of Finland, on the last climb. The 22 year old Valjavec, who won the baby-Giro this year, will make his pro debut next year with Giancarlo Ferretti's new team Fasso Bortoli. The Slovenian-Finnish pair attacked on the third climb of the day with 65 kms to go and built a lead around two minutes. On the last climb the Slovenian attacked and got almost a minute to the Finn at the finish. GP Tomate 1.6, 175 km 1. Tadec Valjavec (Slo) Record Cucine 4.04:15 2. Kjell Carlström (Fin) Team Wirsbo/Länken 0:57 3. Henrick Sobinsky (Pol) GCS Blagnac 1:34 146 starters, 37 finished
Reims, France, Crono des Champions, Cat 1.7, September 13 32,5 kms Individual Time Trial, men 1. Linas Oziunas (Lit) St Quentin 42.32 2. David Derrapas (Fra) Dijon 44.13 3. Peter Scheppe (Ned) Rabobank-Elite 44.37
Betheny, France, Womens' Crono Champenois Trophee European 35km, Individual Time Trial 1. Jeannie Longo (France) 2. Valentina Polkanova (Russia) 3. Antonella Belluti (Italy) 4. Kathy Watt (Australia). 5. Kristy Scrymgeour (Australia)
World Cup Round 8, Ladies Tour Beneden-Maas, Nederlands Rossner wins, Kupfernagel now leads the standings Sept 12 at Spijkenisse, 118 Km, (41.404 km/h) 1 Petra Rossner (Ger) 2h50m49 2 Leontien Van Moorsel (Ned) 3 Anna Wilson (Aus) 4 Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger) 5 Monica Valen (Nor) 6 Tanja Schmidt (Ger) 7 Elisabeth Vink (Ned) 8 Rikke Olsen (Dan) 9 Kathy Boyden (GBR) 10 Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) All Same Time Standings after 8 of 9 Events 1 Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger) 231 Points 2 Anna Wilson (Aus) 213 3 Petra Rossner (Ger) 160 4 Tracy Gaudry (Aus) 154 5 Sara Felloni (Ita) 114 Rheinland - Pfalz Rundfahrt, Germany Stage One, Ludwigshafen - Koblenz, 192.9 1 Marc Wauters (Bel) 4h47m21 2 Erik Dekker (Ned) +0:18 3 Artur Babaitsev (Rus) +0:23 4 Torsten Schmidt (Ger) +0:31 5 Jurgen van Roosbroeck (Bel) +0:42