News for August 19, 2000

85th Championship of Zurich

Most of the world's top one day racers will be in Switzerland this weekend to contest the 85th Meisterschaft von Zürich (Championship of Zurich) on Sunday, August 20. One big absence will be Johan Museeuw, currently 10th in the World Cup, but all other nine riders in front of him will be there. Francesco Casagrande, Andrei Tchmil, Erik Zabel, Paolo Bettini, Romans Vainsteins, Oscar Freire, Stefano Garzelli, Jan Ullrich, Gabriele Missaglia and Erik Dekker are just some of the favourites who will be there. Late starters are US Postal, who initially declined the invite but will now race with Armstrong, Hamilton, Livingston and Ekimov as their main riders.

It's Tchmil's big chance to get some points to close the gap on Erik Zabel, who leads the World Cup on 330 points to Tchmil's 206. The parcours suits the Belgian - he was third last year - and 100 points would come in handy with two rounds to follow after Zurich. Six laps, 41.4 kilometres per lap and a total of 3,400 metres of climbing should see a shrunken group contest the finish by Lake Zurich.

Once again, you can follow the action live on cyclingnews with the race starting at 10:20 CEST, and finishing at 16:30 (estimated).

Team News

Igor González to ONCE or Banesto

Vitalicio's Igor González de Galdeano has revealed that he has received an offer to join ONCE as well as Banesto, and has not yet decided as to which one. He says that there is a "50 percent chance" that he'll join either. "Everything depends on which team shows more desire, a better economic plan and future season plans," he added.

"Sáiz and Unzúe have been demonstrated to be great directors, and both teams are amongst the elite of world wide cycling. I do not have any preference for either," said Gonzalez, who also admitted that he was deeply saddened that Vitalicio director Javier Mínguez couldn't find a sponsor for this year. He will ride the Vuelta with a good deal resolution for his current team, "I am going to fight for it," said last year's second place getter.

ONCE and VDB?

ONCE are also reputed to be interested in Franck Vandenbroucke, after the Belgian has been left by his Cofidis team for next year. VDB has made noises in the past that he wants to join a Spanish team, with ONCE being a major possibility. According to French newspaper, Le Soir, VDB and Manolo Sainz discussed the matter in a phone call 10 days ago, and the two may come to an agreement after Laurent Jalabert has left the team.

However, press reports also say that Frank has again tried to contact Patrick Lefevere's Domo team, but Lefevere said that he was only discussing Johan Museeuw's health with VDB. The past negotiations between the two were fairly short after Lefevere heard VDB's high asking price.

His uncle, Jean-Luc Vandenbroucke (former Lotto manager) wishes to form a new team next year, but the relationship of the two in the past when Frank was at Lotto was not brilliant.

Rabobank moves

Geert Verheyen (Lotto) will sign next week for two years with Rabobank. He has had offers from Domo and Cofidis, but decided to go with the Orange and Blue train. Aart Vierhouten, who has ridden since 1996 with Rabobank, will stay for another season. Dutch champion, Leon van Bon is still considering his offer from Rabobank, "But there is a big chance that I'll stay," he says.

Lampre confirms two but loses one

Lampre's Ludo Dierckxsens and Johan Verstrepen will sign for another year with the Italian outfit, who will be losing Oscar Camenzind next year.

Mercury aims high

US team, Mercury has applied to become a first division team in 2001, with Mercury the main worldwide title sponsor. Team director, John Wordin, has been busy in previous months signing riders with enough UCI points to qualify for the highest division. Their number one goal is a start in the Tour de France, and they hope to bring the "Green Wave" to the start in Dunkirk next year.

The team is almost unbeatable in the US, where they are ranked number one in the team and individual rankings by a fair margin. They have also been successful in Europe this year, winning several races in France, Belgium and Spain. In total, the Mercury Cycling Team has won 87 races this season.

Although the names of his new charges have yet to be officially released, there will be some big ones in there according to Wordin. "This will be the first time that there will be two US first Division teams and the first time for two US teams in the Tour de France. With all of the riders from this season returning, we are very excited about our chances," he said.

It was revealed on Swedish radio that climber Nicklas Axelsson will sign for them next year. Radio Dalarna in Axelsson's home area interviewed Axelsson's agent Sven-Ĺke Nilsson who confirmed it. His current team, Italian Panaria-Gaerne has had more emphasis on one day races in Italy and seldom went abroad, making Mercury a much more attractive prospect for this talented rider.

Rumours also have US rider Chann McRae (Mapei) going to both Linda McCartney and Mercury, however it's unlikely that he will be able to do both (and I will resist putting in a quantum mechanical joke in here).

Collstrop-Palmans

Collstrop's team manager Hilaire Van der Schueren announced today that the merger with Palmans has been finalised. "We will make it official after Paris-Bruxelles, but there are no questions between us anymore. For both teams it's a good thing. Now we can have a well qualified second division team for international and regional races. The new team will have 17 or 18 riders. I'll bring 11 Collstrop riders with me. The name will be Collstrop-Palmans," said Van der Schueren.

"I will look for some co-sponsors. Within a few days I'll talk to our co-sponsor at the moment: Federale Verzekeringen; but I'm looking for new sponsors too. And the team colours? Mostly green with a little yellow and red."

The 11 riders from Collstrop are: Geert Omloop, Hans De Meester, Roger Hammond, Tony Bracke, Eric De Clercq, Staf and Bert Scheirlinckx, Dirk Aernouts, Danny Baeyens, Oleg Pankov and Marc Streel.

Domo-Farm Frites

Marc Sergeant (Domo) and Hendrik Redant (Farm Frites) will form the sporting management section of the new combined team next year. This is according to Het Belang van Limburg/Gazet van Antwerpen who also published the rumour that Peter van Petegem can be transferred from Farm Frites to Mapei, while Tom Steels (he has still a contract for a year with Mapei) could come over to Domo...

If that is the case, Van Petegem won't have to buy himself out.

Feys must stop

Palmans rider, Wim Feys (28) has been given advice by Dr. Brugera of the hospital in Aalst (Belgium) that he should stop cycling. After his heavy fall in Buggenhout last week, he went to the hospital to do some tests. During one of these, he lost consciousness for a few moments due to the beginnings of a cardiac arrest. Feys has been a professional rider for seven years and was invited (via Tom Steels) to join Mapei next year.

Tour Down Under

The Tour Down under, from January 16-21 next year is the third edition of this 2.3 class Australian stage race. Held over six days and six stages, for the past two years it has attracted many European teams in their first major foray for the year. It's enormously popular in South Australia, who are for the most part big supporters of 'local boy' Stuart O'Grady. He won the inaugural event, and placed second this year, and has been one of the main drawcards.

In 2001, the Australian domestic airline Ansett is offering special deals (up to 45% off airfares) to those wishing to travel to the event, including a range of holiday packages. Interested persons are asked to quote the master file number MC 06785 followed by "Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under 2001".

Of course, the event would not be possible without the help of many course marshals, especially to assist with the policing of the rolling road closures along the route. For more information please contact Terry Roberts (Traffic Logistics Co-ordinator) on 08 8463 4703 or email.