Scandinavian Open

Vårgårda, Sweden, August 3-6, 2000

1999 TT results    1999 RR results    Past winners: Time Trial   Road Race

The events:

Preview

The Scandinavian Championships used to be an important rehearsal for the World's in the ol' amateur days. Now, as international races for both women and men, the Scandinavian Open is gathering a stronger field for each year.

Occasional teams are often formed and this year two pro combinations are expected to dominate the men's road race. One is the Team CykelNytt with Michael Andersson and two of his new Mercatone Uno team mates, Forconi and Borgheresi, with Michel Lafis (Farm Frites) and Norwegian Björnar Vestöl (Linda McCartney) completing the line up. The other team is the all Swedish Team Vårgårda starring Nicklas Axelsson (Panaria-Gaerne) and Martin Rittsel (Memorycard) supported by Tomas Grönqvist (Amore & Vita), Martin Johansson (Collstrop) and Niklas Ekström (Tönissteiner). Danish Team Fakta comes straight from the Tour of Denmark but also have some interesting names, among them last year's champions Martin Kryger (RR) and Marcus Ljungqvist (TT).

In the women's road race the Norwegians are favourites, divided in two teams: Norway National Team and South Norway. A strong British team will also take part, as well as a team from the Czech republic. Swedish RR hopes are Susanne Ljungskog and Madeleine Lindberg of Farm Frites and Jenny Algelid in the TT.

August 4: Juniors 17 km TT

1. Johan Levin (Swe) CK Wänershof               23.07.5
2. Lasse Böchmann (Den) Själland                 0.04.9
3. Jens Thögersen (Swe) Åstorps CK               0.06.9
4. Alexander Gustafsson (Swe) Åstorps CK         0.10.1
5. Jon Teis Madsen (Den) Själland                0.13.5
6. Jonas Holmkvist (Swe) CK Bure                 0.25.4
7. Simon Alberg (Den) Jylland                    0.26.5
8. Thomas Pedersen (Den) Danmark                 0.29.1
9. Michael T. Kristensen (Den) Jylland           0.34.0
10. Kasper Klostergaard (Den) Danmark            0.34.8
11. Hans Henrik Jörgensen (Den) Danmark          0.35.3
12. Andreas Molandsveen (Nor) Ringerike SK       0.45.3
13. Asleigh Jones Nielsen (Den) Danmark          0.50.8
14. Mikko Tuukkanen (Fin) GIF                    0.50.9
15. Martin Nyman (Swe) Åstorps CK                1.04.2
16. Stian Risberg (Nor) Ringerike SK             1.04.5
17. Tommi Martikainen (Fin) Kuop PS              1.07.2
18. Ola Larner (Swe) Åstorps CK                  1.17.3
19. Casper Högström (Fin) Akilles                1.19.3
20. Per Nilsson (Swe) Åstorps CK                 1.26.5
21. Femming K Jensen (Den) Odder Cykel Klub      1.27.4
22. Jarkko Niemi (Fin) TY                        1.30.7
23. Tuomas Turunen (Fin) CCH                     1.45.4
24. Marcus Palosaari (Fin) GIF                   1.48.9
25. Martin Lindgren (Swe) IK Vinco               1.55.6
26. Matias Korin (Fin) GIF                       1.56.1
27. Risto Pensas (Fin) Akilles                   2.15.5
28. Lars Johansson (Swe) VästerÂs CK             2.20.8
29. Truls Eliassen (Nor) Sarpsborg SK            2.34.5
30. Robert Bell (Swe) Åstorps CK                 3.38.5
31. Timo Rokka (Fin) Kopy                        3.46.5

August 4: Women 17 km TT (1.9.2)

1. Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) Farmfrites                   24.06.7
2. Yvonne Mc Gregor (GBr) Team Great Britain             0.02.6
3. Solrun FlatÂs (Nor) Norge                             0.14.0
4. Jenny Algelid (Swe) Åstorps CK                        0.31.4
5. Sarah Symington (GBr) Team Great Britain              0.46.9
6. Madeleine Lindberg (Swe) Farmfrites                   1.01.5
7. Julie Pekarkova (Cze) Konica C.Z.                     1.14.6
8. Kristiina Iisakkila (Fin) Finland                     1.18.1
9. Melanie Sears (GBr) Team Great Britain                1.38.2
10. Susan Carter (GBr) Team Great Britain                1.47.1
11. Andrea Bosman (Ned) Farmfrites                       2.13.4
12. Sirpa Kouko (Fin) Finland                            2.14.6
13. Teija Alaviiri (Fin) Finland                         2.30.9
14. Aud Kari Berg (Nor) Lundseters IL                    2.45.4
15. Lina Sjöström (Swe) Skånes CF-Upsala CK              2.58.3
16. Wenche Aasmundsen (Nor) Eidsvolls SK                 3.18.8
17. Cecilia Bäckstedt (Swe) Team KBR                     3.29.7
18. Jirina Frantikova (Cze) Konica C.Z.                  3.54.1
19. Linda Andersdotter-Olsson (Swe) Skånes CF-Landskrona 4.23.2
20. Malin Gustavsson (Swe) Skånes CF-Värnamo CK          4.52.8
21. Tina Levin SkÂnes (Swe) Skånes CF-Malmö-Staffanst.   5.00.9
22. Pavla Neradilova (Cze) Konica C.Z.                   5.47.5

August 4: Men Elite 34 km TT (1.5)

1. Mikael Andersson (Swe) Sweden National Team            44.08.1
2. Jukka Heinikainen (Fin) Team Mälarenergi CK            44.18.0
3. Nicklas Axelsson (Swe) Ceramica Panaria-Gaerne         46.05.0
4. Björn Sjöberg (Swe) Motala AIF                         46.35.9
5. Marcus Juneholt (Swe) Skoghalls CK-Hammarö             47.02.9
6. Jonas Rydberg (Swe) Team Crescent                      47.03.8
7. Terje Tho (Nor) Trondhjems VK                          47.22.7
8. Marcus Nihlén (Swe) Eslövs CK                          47.36.8
9. Markus Karvonen (Fin) Ry                               47.58.0
10. Mattias Carlsson (Swe) Team Mälarenergi CK            48.00.6
11. Esko Salminen (Fin) Ry                                48.04.7
12. Christian Selin (Fin) IF Länken                       48.42.5
13. Stefan Repshus (Nor) Trondhjems VK                    49.02.3
14. Glenn Bak (Den) Hilleröd CK                           49.15.0
15. Jani Vesa (Fin) Jäpy                                  49.22.9
16. Janne Varala (Fin) Ry                                 49.37.9
17. Jo Martin Stigen (Nor) Baerum OCK                     50.23.1
18. Tomas Hansen (Den) Köge CR                            51.43.9

Past Winners

1997 Michael Steen-Nielsen (Den)
1998 Marcusd Ljunqvist (Swe)
1999 (2) Marcus Ljungqvist (Swe)
2000 Michael Andersson (Swe)

Past winners by Mario Stiehl, Berlin

August 5: Juniors 127.9 km RR

1. Ola Larner (Swe) Team Skåne                              3.01.51
2. Hans Henrik Jörgensen (Den) Danish National Team            0.02
3. Kasper Klostergaard (Den) Danish National Team              0.06
4. Niclas W Slot (Den) ABC                                     0.46
5. Patrick Wonsyld (Den) Distrikt Själland            
6. Jens Thögersen (Swe) Team Skåne            
7. Mark Jacobsen (Den) Distrikt Jylland            
8. Simon Alberg (Den) Distrikt Jylland            
9. Asleigh  Jones Nielsen (Den) Danish National Team            
10. Matias Korin (Fin) GIF            
11. Martin Nyman (Swe) Team Skåne            
12. Thomas Pedersen (Den) Danish National Team                 0.51
13. Michael T. Kristensen (Den) Distrikt Jylland            
14. Romet Puuram (Est) Estland            
15. Johan Jelvin (Swe) Örebrocyklisterna                       1.00
16. Espen Jogert (Nor) Glåmdal-Nittedal Elite            
17. Per Nilsson (Swe) Åstorps CK            
18. Jonas Holmkvist (Swe) CK Bure            
19. Mikael Segersäll (Swe) CK Hymer            
20. Martin Lindgren (Swe) IK Vinco            
21. Lasse Bächman (Den) Distrikt Själland            
22. Kalle Kriit (Est) Estland            
23. Erik H. Helgesen (Nor) Fana IL            
24. Christoffer Stevensson (Swe) CSK Ludvika            
25. Johan Levin (Swe) Västergötland            
26. Tuomas Turunen (Fin) Cycle Club Helsinki            
27. HÂvar Melheim Sogn (Nor) CK            
28. Jens Jörgensen (Den) Distrikt Jylland            
29. Andreas Molandsveen (Nor) Ringerike SK            
30. Mikkel H. Kristensen (Den) Distrikt Själland            
31. Petter Wijk (Swe) FCK Wä            
32. Kert Väinsalu (Est) Estland            
33. Alexander Gustafsson (Swe) Team Skåne            
34. Christopher Myhre (Nor) Glåmdal-Nittedal Elite            
35. Lars Johansson (Swe) Västerås CK                           1.09
36. Marcus Palosaari (Fin) GIF                                 3.00
37. Tommy Nilsson (Swe) FK Trampen                             3.03
38. Lasse Froberg (Den) Lyngby CC            
39. Jon Teis Madsen (Den) Distrikt Själland                    3.08
40. Mikko Siltanen Porvoon (Fin) Akilles                       3.33
41. Martin Erlandsson (Swe) Västergötland            
42. Stig Hemmingsen (Den) Distrikt Själland            
43. Sturla Aam Rasmussen (Nor) Grenland SK            
44. Martin Pedersen (Den) Danish National Team                 3.37
45. Tatu-Petteri Lintulaakso (Fin) Cycle Club Helsinki            
45. Gabor Weszpremi (Swe) FCK Wä                               3.54
47. Mikko Tuukkanen (Fin) GIF            
48. Christer Hermansson (Swe) Västergötland            
49. Jarkko Niemi Tampereen (Fin) Yritus            
50. Lennart Deleuran (Den) Naestved CK            
51. Helge Chr. Haugstad (Nor) Lågen CK            
52. BÂrd S. Pettersen (Nor) Ringerike SK            
53. Stian Remme (Nor) Fana IL            
54. Tommi Martikainen (Fin) Kuopion Pyöräilyseura            
55. Henrik Gustavsson (Swe) Västergötland            
56. Andreas Svensson (Swe) Skoghalls CK-Hammarö            
57. Jonas Mattsson (Swe) Upsala CK            
58. Rikard Sjöberg (Swe) CK Hymer            
59. Idar Grindvoll (Nor) Akershus CK            
60. Anders Christiansen (Nor) Glåmdal-Nittedal Elite 

August 5: Women, 104.7 km RR (1.9.2)

1. Ingunn Bollerud (Nor) Norwegian National Team            2.40.11
2. Yvonne Mc Gregor (Gbr) Team Great Britain            
3. Rikke Sandhöj Olsen (Den) Farmfrites                        1.59
4. Monica Valen (Nor) Sör-Norge            
5. Sara Symington (Gbr) Team Great Britain            
6. Melanie Sears (Gbr) Team Great Britain                      2.01
7. Solrun FlatÂs (Nor) Norwegian National Team                 4.21
8. Madeleine Lindberg (Swe) Farmfrites                         4.26
9. Sanne Schmidt (Den) Danish National Team 1            
10. Lotta Green (Swe) Burseryds IF            
11. Andrea Bosman (Ned) Farmfrites            
12. Aud Kari Berg (Nor) Norwegian National Team            
13. Linn Torp (Nor) Eidsvolls SK            
14. Susan Carter (Gbr) Team Great Britain            
15. Ann S. Mathiesen (Den) Danish National Team 1            
16. Maaria SirÈn (Fin) Finland            
17. Ragnhild Kostöl (Nor) Sör-Norge            
18. Line Lykke-Meyer (Den) Danish National Team 1            
19. Pernille Langelund (Den) Danish National Team 2            4.31
20. Sirpa Kouko (Fin) Finland                                  8.04
21. Malin Gustavsson (Swe) Team JDC-Skånes CF            
22. Veronica Andreasson (Swe) Burseryds IF            
23. Mikka Hansen (Den) Farmfrites/Gladsaxe CK            
24. Julie Pek·rkov· (Cze) Konica C.Z.                          8.08
25. Lise H. Christensen (Den) Danish National Team 2           8.10
26. Monika Holler (Swe) Team Skåne            
27. Karina Sörensen (Den) Danish National Team 2            
28. Therese Hennig (Swe) Team KBR 


August 6: Men Elite 221 km RR (1.5)

Ljungblad breaks through

By Gabriella Ekström, cyclingnews.com correspondent

The men's road race at the Scandinavian Championships in Vårgårda started at 9.00 on Sunday morning, so I travelled there the day before, as did many of the pro riders. Most of the Swedish riders had been there for the whole weekend, but it was the road race that made the pros travel to Vårgårda, outside Göteborg. Vårgårda is a little town often connected with cycling in Sweden, and it hosted the start of this year's Tour of Sweden.

The winner of that race, and also the winner of the Scandinavian Open Time Trial, Michael Andersson (soon to join Mercatone Uno) was on the start line this morning in Vårgårda, together with riders as Nicklas Axelsson (Panaria), Niclas Ekström (Tönissteiner), Martin Rittsel (Memorycard) and Michel Lafis (Farm Frites) who brought two Mercatone Uno riders with him, Riccardo Forconi and Simone Borgheresi, together with Norweigan rider Björnar Vestöl (Linda McCartney). Together they formed the temporary team CykelNytt, which is a cyclingmagazine run by Michel's father. Present was also Danish Team Fakta, Team Crescent and amateur clubs from Sweden, Norway and Finland. The weather was sunny in the morning, although some clouds threatened to get in the way of the sun later on. A more important problem to the riders was the wind, as they were to face a strong headwind during parts of the 11.6 kilometer course.

Many riders wanted to attack early in the morning, hoping that lots of the pros would be tired from their late arrival the night before. However that didn't happen. Borgheresi and Forconi took control of the race from kilometer one, and soon the attacks out from the back became frequent. Two riders who attacked the right way though, was Team Mälarenergi's Jukka Heinekainen and his compatriot Timo Erjomaa from the Finnish team Karjala. They were brought back on the tricky course, but Heinekainen especially showed good spirits with frequent attacks.

A big group containing many pro riders jumped away early in the race, and some thought the break was to be the one that counted. It contained riders like Klas Johansson (Swe, Burseryds IF), Kenneth Flesjå (Norway), Andrus Aug and Andres Lauk (Est, Sonera), Krister Sjödahl (Swe, Team Crescent), Mikael Andersson (still De Nardi), all the riders in Team CykelNytt, John Nilsson (Swe, Team Mälarenergi) and Nicklas Axelsson (Panaria). The break was surely important enough to stay away, the main problem was the distance left to race. The big names hesitated, and the pros who missed the break made sure to close the gap as quick as they could.

When the next break went away, most riders reacted differently. This break was not to last for very long, but unfortunately for those left behind, it did! Juha Posio (Fin, Karjala), Kenneth Flesjå (Norway), Jonas Rydberg (Swe, Team Crescent) Jakob Gram Nielsen (Team Fakta) and Martin Johansson (Collstrop) worked together without major incidents. (Posio accidently putting his feeding bag in his front wheel could be counted as one incident though) The peloton soon realized that this break wasn't such a bad move at all, and a handful of riders tried to bridge up. Nielsen's teammate Allen Bo Anderssen was the first rider to join them, and after him followed Klas Johansson, Magnus Ljungblad and Håkan Nilsson, all of them Swedish riding for Burseryds IF, and with them followed Esa Skyttä from the Finnish team Sonera and Michel Lafis.

From this point in the race it was clear that the winner would come from these 11, because the rest of the peloton was now losing a great amount of time. Borgheresi and Simoni rode at the front in the not so chasing group, but they did not help their new teammate Andersson, instead they kept the pace down and let the gap to Lafis and co. grow. With a couple of laps to go the two Italians, Rittsel, Axelsson, Ekström and Andersson decided to call it a day, and left the race.

The front riders had now started to look at each other, but the closest chasing riders were still five minutes away, and not likely to catch them. The leaders tried to get rid of each other each time they passed the only hill on the circuit, and it was mostly up to Lafis, Ljungblad and Johansson to bring the attacks back. When the riders ascended the climb for the last time, Magnus Ljungblad launched a solo attack, and this time no-one followed. Ljungblad didn't look back, but took his opportunity and left those who hesitated behind. Even though the rain had now started to fall, and he faced a headwind on his way home, he made an heroic effort to stay away all the way over the line and win the race a couple of seconds in front of his former break away companions. Allen Bo Anderssen won the sprint for second, closely followed by Michel Lafis.

Results

1. Magnus Ljungblad (Swe) Burseryds IF                5.10.52
2. Allan Bo Andersen (Den) Team Fakta                    0.13
3. Michel Lafis (Swe) Team CykelNytt/Farmfrites                
4. Esa Skyttä (Fin) Sonera                
5. Martin Johansson (Swe) Team Vårgårda/Collstrop                
6. Jacob Gram Nielsen (Den) Team Fakta                
7. Håkan Nilsson (Swe) Burseryds IF                
8. Kenneth Flesjå (Nor) Norge                
9. Klas Johansson (Swe) Burseryds IF                
10. Jonas Rydberg (Swe) Team Crescent                    0.28
11. Juha Posio (Fin) Karjala                             3.59
12. Andres Lauk (Est) Sonera                             8.44
13. Brian Henriksen (Den) Odder Cykel Klub               8.48
14. Johan Lång (Swe) Team Rasta Fari/Frölunda CK                
15. Martin Axelsson (Swe) Velodrom/Falkenbergs CK                
16. Juha Hynninen (Fin) AIR-IX
17. Are Andresen (Nor) Fana IL                           8.52
18. Fredrik Johansson (Swe) Motala AIF                
19. Kjetil G. Löitegaard (Nor) Norge                
20. Lars Verenberg (Den) Odder Cykel Klub                8.53
21. Gisle Viköyr (Nor) Norge                             8.59
22. Tapio Niemi (Fin) AIR-IX                            12.42
23. Janne Mäki (Fin) AIR-IX                
24. Jonas Gartman (Swe) Team Rasta Fari/Frölunda CK                
25. Per Martin Lund (Nor) Ringerike SK                  21.53
26. John Nilsson (Swe) Team Mälarenergi CK              22.30
27. Lars Breiseth (Nor) Norge                
28. Krister Sjödal (Swe) Team Crescent                
29. Rasmus Dyring (Den) Odder Cykel Klub                
30. Henrik Oldin (Swe) Velodrom/Falkenbergs CK                
31. Tero Hömeenaho (Fin) TWD-Länken                
32. Robert Österling (Swe) Skoghalls CK-Hammarö                
33. Fredrik Johansson (Swe) Västerås CK                
34. Nicolaj Kjaergård (Den) Odder Cykel Klub                
35. Stefan Repshus (Nor) Trondhjems VK                
36. Peter Lundblad (Swe) Västerås CK                
37. Öivind Dybing (Nor) Norge                
38. Markus Karvonen (Fin) Valo-Smycken                
39. Johan Nordlund (Swe) Burseryds IF                
40. Björnar Vestöl (Nor) Team CykelNytt/Linda Mc Cartney                
41. Kristofer Bremström (Swe) Velodrom/Falkenbergs CK                
42. Gabriel Rasch (Nor) Ringerike SK                
43. Rune Jogert (Nor) Ringerike SK         

Past Winners

1986 Rolf Sörensen (Den)
1987 Kim Andersen (Den)
1988 Sören Lilholt (Den)
1989 Johnny Weltz (Den)
1997 Frank Hoj (Den)
1998 Vegard Overaas-Ljad (Nor) Elite
1999 Martin Kryger (Den)
2000 Magnus Ljungblad (Swe)

Past winners by Mario Stiehl, Berlin