News for August 20, 2000

Magnien has to explain

By Jeff Jones, online editor

La Francaise des Jeux' Emmanuel Magnien will have to present himself next Thursday to the French Cycling Federation's disciplinary committee to explain why he took illegal injections of cortisone. After the results of the drug tests taken during the Tour showed the substance was present in his urine, the FFC immediately removed him from the French Olympic road team, where he was replaced by Francois Simon.

An appeal was lodged by Magnien and his lawyer, Mr Didier Liger in order to reinstate him into the team. FFC president, Daniel Baal said that he reached an agreement with Magnien and Mr Liger to cut short the usual 15 day defense preparation period. Instead, he will be given just a week, as the closing date for entry to the Olympics is August 25. The commission will therefore need to hear the case and announce their decision as soon as possible.

After the revelation that he had taken Kenacort 80 in an unauthorized manner during the Tour de France, Magnien said that he wanted the disciplinary proceedings to progress as quickly as possible "so that people could recognise my innocence." The cortisone injection, he claimed, was to take care of a pollen allergy. He recorded it on his health certificate with his doctor's permission, however injections of cortisone are illegal by French law and UCI rules. Magnien risks a maximum 6 month suspension, whether he did it in ignorance of the rules or not.

He still wishes to compete in the Olympic Games and at first even considered suing the Federation if they withdrew him without giving him enough time to appeal. However, the latest agreement between him and the FFC has negated this possibility.

Totschnig out of Telekom

Austrian climber, Georg Totschnig will be another one of Telekom's departures next year, according to team director Rudy Pevenage. Totschnig, along with Jörg Jaksche will leave the team although the Austrian's destination is as yet unknown. Jaksche has found himself a good contract with ONCE but Totschnig is looking. Both these riders were left off the Telekom team for the Tour de France, and Jaksche was also left out of the Vuelta.

Telekom have four good young riders coming into the team next year: Torsten Hiekmann, dual track world champion Robert Bartko, Andreas Klier (Farm Frites) and Italian Roberto Sgambelluri (Cantina Tollo).

Wesemann to ride crit series

Injured German professional, Steffen Wesemann's comeback will continue this week with a series of criteriums in Germany. He rode the Joseph Voegli Memorial pair time trial last week (with Gian Mateo Fagnini), and is looking to gain some form for the later part of the season. The nine race Coca Cola Criterium series starts August 21 in Heilbronn, finishing August 29 in Freiburg.

Jens Heppner and Fagnini will join Wesemann in a "compact" Telekom squad. In addition, Jörg Jaksche will ride in a mixed team as his services are not required in Spain. Erik Zabel was another rider who was asked to start, but he had larger objectives (like the World Cup). In addition, his Olympic program did not allow him to take time out to ride criteriums, so he politely declined.

Erik Zabel and Jan Ullrich will be working together in Zurich tomorrow to ensure that Zabel can take some World Cup points. Ullrich said that he is "optimistic, I have very good legs at the moment and am at my ideal weight of 70 kilos." Ullrich won the Coppa Agostoni on Thursday, his first road race win this year.

Farm Frites to decide today

The management of Farm Frites will decide on Sunday, August 20 about their future. They will announce it on Monday after informing their own team and associated persons.

"We'll either stay as Farm Frites or we will join with Domo," said director Piet de Bruijne. If it will be with Domo, Farm Frites will be a co-sponsor as before with TVM.

Bellutti to retire?

The women's Olympic individual pursuit champion, Antonella Bellutti (Italy) said that she would like to retire after the Olympic Games in Sydney this year. Belutti, a one time holder of the absolute record for the 3000m (3.31.924 using the Superman position) has not won a world title, and will have a tough battle to win one this year.

"I believe that I have finished my cycling, and the aim at the moment is to finish my career. The only thing I have not won is a World Title," she said.

Copeland becomes Saturn coach

Former US Olympian, Jim Copeland, has joined the Saturn Cycling Team as their new coach and director. Copeland has been active in sport since 1980, and took up cycling in 1984 after watching the Olympics. He has 140 career victories and will aim to bring this knowledge to coaching and directing the Saturn team.

Copeland has a degree in electrical engineering/computer science and is a licensed USA Cycling Expert Coach. He is also licensed by USA Cycling and the (UCI) as a professional Team Manager and a Category I Elite athlete.

Saturn has a total of eight athletes competing in the Olympics, one of the most of any professional team, and it is envisaged that Copeland will be able to provide some useful insight for the riders in the coming month.