News and Results for September 26

Olano out of World's

Abraham Olano has decided he will be unable to defend his title as World Champion of the road time trial at the upcoming world championships in Verona next month. Olano fell heavily during the epic stage to Angliru in the Vuelta on September 11, but continued on for a further five stages before withdrawing. The coach of the Spanish national team, Francisco Antequera, told a Spanish news agency: "I have spoken with him on the telephone and he has confirmed to me that he will not be able to defend his title. He is not in condition for riding a world title".

MTB riders line up for World's Road Race

Italian mountain biker and Olympic gold medalist in Atlanta Paola Pezzo, who most recently won a bronze medal in the MTB World Championships in Åre last weekend, has her sights set on riding for the road title as well.

On Tuesday she will try out the circuit in Verona with Roberta Bonanomi, Alessandra and Valeria Cappellotto, Sigrid Corneo, Fabiana Luperini and Lucia Pizzolotto under the supervision of National squad leader Broccardo. the 196 km Giro dell'Emilia, Dutchman Michael Boogerd sended an ominous warning to his rivals with a solo breakway win, showing he is building good form in the lead up to the World Road Racing Championships.

At the same time, Norwegian rider Gunn Rita Dahle who blew completly in the World MTB Chamionships last weekend - and who is not a starter in final of the road World Cup final - is also aiming at the road World Championships in Verona.

Contract news - Braikia and Vestøl for England

Most riders from Danish team Acceptcard are on new contracts. Tayeb Braikia and Norwegian Bjørnar Vestøl are on their way to sign up for Linda McCartney Racing Team. Søren Petersen is going to Team Cologne, Joona Laukka is already ridning for Portuguese Benfica, Jakob Piil and Jacob Moe Rasmussen rides for Jack & Jones, Morten Sonne, Danny Jonasson and Martin Krygerfor Team fakta. Stig Guldbæk will probably start a sports store.

News from Italy

The 23 year-old basque climber Igor Astarloa, nicknamed "Volcano" and this year riding for elite team Calcestruzzi Saretina, has signed for Mercatone-Bianchi and is the team's third recent signing after Oscar Mason of Liquigas and 25 year old elite rider Massimo Cigana.

Mario Cipollni is resuming his track training after a couple of days break due to his father's cycling accident. Vivaldo Cipollini is still in a coma. "He loves cycling and I would like to win something on road or track to make him happy the day he wakes up," said the Italian sprinter, who is aiming to compete in the individual pursuit.

Finn leads Tour of Serbia

After a demanding stage the Finn Kjell Carlström of Swedish Team Wirsbo grabbed the leader's yellow jersey in the Tour of Serbia. Tomorrow's 35 kms ITT will be the decisive stage since Carlström holds the jersey by placing ahead of Slovenians Dvorscik and Slobodnik.

The field was blown to pieces in the tough mountains and many riders had flats and other bike problems on the war-torn roads. Russian GC favourite Dimitri Sedun attacked with 90 kms left in the stage and built up a lead of more than six minutes to a chasing group of 19.

Most of the chasing work was done by Carlström and his team mates Nilsson and Heinikainen. Sedun was 2.24 after the leader in the GC but only managed to come home 1.26 ahead of the remnants of the chasing group, including the three top riders Carlström, Dvorscik and Slobodnik. Slovenian Nagny sprinted strongest for second place, Carlström coming in as fourth. The leader Lewandowski lost 21 minutes. The Swedish team also tops the sprints competition for the blue jersey by Stefan Adamsson as well as the teams competition.

"It was really a tough day. The heat, the mountains, the roads and not the least Sedun knocked most riders out," said Carlström. "We didn't get any help from the others and Sedun seems incredibly strong. I will have to do the 35 kms TT of my life tomorrow from Svrljig to Nis to keep the jersey. But I'm in good form and I've heard that a yellow jersey makes wonders and let's hope that is correct," said a smiling Carlström on his way to the press conference.

Stage 4, September 25
Belgrad-Zajecar 235kms

1 Dimitri Sedun (Rus) Russia  		5.43.21
2 Robert Nagu (Slk) Slovakia 		   1.26
3 Jan Kruzic (Slk) Duklatel
4 Kjell Carlström (Fin) Team Wirsbo



General Classifiaction

1 Kjell Carlström (Fin) Team Wirsbo 	18.37.30
2 Milan Dvorscik (Svk) Slovakia
3 Ondrei Slobodnik (Svk) De Nardi


Sprints GC:
1 Stefan Adamsson Team Wirsbo SWE 	16p
2 Bilas Igor Yougoslavien A 		13p


Teams GC:
1 Team Wirsbo 			55.53.24
2 De Nardi     			    0.34