News for August 21, 2000Eye operation goes well for WüstMarcels Wüst's wife Heike, announced on Saturday that the second operation on his eye was successful. "We know now that Marcel doesn't have to lose the light in his eyes," she said. The operation was by professor Zollner of the university hospital in Köln. When the bandage was taken from his eye, Marcel saw a bright light and the shadow of a woman's body. "First I thought I was seeing an angel, but I'm glad it was a nurse." Marcel needs another operation on his face because there are some broken bones in it, but in the meantime he can start training slowly on a home trainer.
Riis takes over as MemoryCard Jack & Jones managerBy Svend Novrup* Failing ability to attract sponsors seems to be the reason that Torben Kølbæk is no longer manager of the Danish division 1 team Memory Card Jack&Jones. Last week, sports director Alex Pedersen, almost as unexpectedly withdrew from the team, taking out his money of the company at the same time. Following this, a majority of the board decided to ask Bjarne Riis to take over as manager, and he agreed. It seems that one of the directors of the board, John Trolle, was the leading force behind the move which takes the former winner of Tour de France directly into the limelight of Danish cycling again. Riis was one of the people who put up money for the original company, but some time ago he had a disagreement with the daily management. In his opinion they did not support him when accusations were made against him in public, and he withdrew his money. This year Riis has been the unofficial adviser for riders like Bo Hamburger, Michael Blaudzun, Nicky Sørensen, and female rider Rikke Sandhøj, and it has been obvious that he has something to offer individual riders as well as Danish cycling as a whole. His popularity seemed well reestablished in the public when he was attached to the Tour of Denmark held recently. There, he was the driver for race director Jesper Worre at the same time as appearing daily at the podium at the finish line to discuss developments. "I hope I can contribute something to the team and Danish cycling in general. I have my experience and I will use it in my contacts with sponsors but I have no one at hand immediately," said Riis to newsagency Ritzau. "It's no secret that it is my job to make the team work properly. There have been problems and I will try to make the riders to be more of a team. I will structure their training even more and also create a better communication between riders and management. I have been riding for some teams so I have many impressions of what is good and what isn't." There are already speculations that Alex Pedersen at some point could come back with the team though it will probably not happen the first year. Memory Card Jack&Jones just now is fighting hard to keep its division 1 status for 2001, and first reactions in public from riders like Blaudzun seemed positive. Torben Kølbæk did not wish to comment on the matter on Sunday. He has however rejected a post as PR officer for the team. He is likely to disappear completely from the team. *Svend Novrup is a Danish journalist, Eurosport commentator and author of 75 books. Number 76 is coming soon, he assures us! Vandenbroucke Sr. to start againBelgian newspapers Het Volk and Het Nieuwsblad are reporting that Jean-Luc Vandenbroucke (ex-Lotto and uncle of Frank) wants to start a new team with him as the overall manager, and Gilbert Duclos-Lasalle as team manager. The team would ride with a French license.
Heulot lookingFrancaise des Jeux rider, Stephane Heulot is looking for a new team for 2001, despite the fact that he has a contract until the end of next year. He has made an agreement with his team manager, Marc Madiot that permits him to end it at the end of this year. His destination is as yet unknown.
Barthe to PostalUS Postal will sign Ag2r rider, Stephane Barthe next year to help strengthen the sprinting. Barthe, 25 has had 12 wins in his almost five year career, where he has ridden for Casino and Ag2r. He has won stages in the Criterium International and the Four Days of Dunkirk this year and was French Road Champion in 1997. Meanwhile, there is some more information as to Kevin Livingston's departure from the team next year. Although he is one of Lance Amrstrong's good friends and valuable domestiques, the offer from Linda McCartney was too good to refuse (double the salary). The US Postal team's budget will be the same next year, and they have already signed some valuable riders, in addition to wanting to start a youth program for 2001. Chiotti out for longer?Admitted EPO user, Jerome Chiotti may be forced out of professional mountain biking for a longer period than he first thought, after the UCI have appealed his one year ban to the Tribunal for Arbitration of Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland. They are claiming that his punishment meted out by the French Federation (a one year ban with suspension) is too light. Tour of PolandEighteen teams of 8 riders (including 9 from 1st Division) will start in 57th edition of the Tour of Poland (Dookola Polski) between Braniewo to Karpacz. They will be: Lotto (Andrei Tchmil) As well as all five Polish teams: Mroz-Supradyn Witaminy |