News and analysis for September 22 1999

HJ&J "homeless" next year

By Lars Mikkelsen

Team Home Jack & Jones will from the start of next season be without one of their main sponsors, since "Home", a real estate brooking firm, today has declared that they aren't prepared to wait for the next doping scandal to hit.

This is a reaction to Marc Streel's failure to pass the random hematocrit test before the weekend's GP des Nations, but in reality more a reaction against the leaders of the team (Alex Pedersen and Torben Koelbæk), who after the test results had been publicised, admitted knowledge of Marc Streel's ongoing connection to a not at all unknown Belgian doctor.

So far the team hasn't panicked, after having secured the continuing backing from the rest of the sponsors.

Doping is forgery? Charges considered against Pantani

Marco Pantani might face charges for forgery. A prosecutor in Torino is said to be considering charging the Italian climber since use of banned drugs, if Panatani is proved to has used such, is a form of falsifying sports results.

It has been discovered that Pantani's haematocrit level was higher than permitted at his crash in 1995. The prosecutor, Raffaele Guarinello, is reported to have access to Pantani's medical files showing high levels at that particular moment as well as normal levels at other tests.

No Skibby in Danish Worlds team

Jesper Skibby said no thanks to riding the World Championships. He has been substituted by Christian Andersen while Jacob Moe only got a reserve seat. Michael Sandstød is the only Dane in the ITT.

The elite squad, of which eight will ride: Rolf Sørensen (Rabobank), Bo Hamburger, (Cantina Tollo), Lars Michaelsen (La Francaise des Jeux), Nicolaj Bo Larsen (Home Jack & Jones), Frank Høj (US Postal), Mikael Kyneb (Home Jack & Jones), Christian Andersen (Home Jack & Jones), Allan Johansen (Chicky World), Michael Blaudzun (Home Jack & Jones), Nicki Sørensen (Chicky World), Danny Jonasson (Rabobank), Morten Sonne (Acceptcard). Reserves: Jacob Moe (Acceptcard) or Rene Jørgensen (Home Jack & Jones).

U23 ITT: Thue Houlberg
U23 Road Race (five allowed to ride): Henrik Simper, Michael Reihs, Morten Helmer Nielsen, Michael larsen, Jacob Nielsen, Jan Jespersen.

Tour stage winner passes away

Winner of Giro di Romagna 1950, Livio Isotti, has passed away in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He was born in Pasaro, Italy in 1927 but moved towards the end of his career to Canada where he became a citizen. Isotti rode for several years in Gino Bartali's team and also won the seventh stage of Tour de France from Le Mans to Nantes in 1953 and was at the podium in Milano-Torino, Giro di Sicilia and twice in Trofeo Matteotti.