News for December 3, 2000

GP de Luxembourg

This weekend is fairly quiet as far as UCI class cyclocross events are concerned, the principal reason being that round 3 of the World Cup will take place in Leudelange, Luxembourg today. 74 elite riders have entered, but it is likely to come down to a battle between a handful of Belgian and Dutch riders who dominate the cyclocross scene.

World Champion Richard Groenendaal (Rabobank) currently shares the World Cup lead with Bart Wellens (Spaar Select), winner of the GP de Tcheque Repbulique. The ever consistent Mario de Clercq (Palmans) finished 3rd in both World Cup events so far, and holds that position on the standings. Fans of Sven Nijs will be hoping that he will be back to his best, but this may take a few more races and luck to go his way. Erwin Vervecken (RVS Liege), Peter Van Santvliet (Spaar Select) and Italians Daniele Pontoni and Luca Bramati stand a good chance to figure in the top 10, while Luxembourg's sole representative is Pascal Triebel (CCI Differdange).

The parcours is 2.735 kilometres per lap, consisting of 870 metres of road, 1 kilometre of field and 830 metres of forest. Although the hills are not large, the wet weather conditions are likely to make things hard.

Urine samples seized

French justice authorities have seized all the frozen urine samples that were taken during the 2000 Tour de France, in order to eliminate the possibility of their destruction by the UCI. The justification used by the authorities was the investigation into the US Postal team. French Sports Minister, Marie-George Buffet said on Saturday that "justice has seized the samples relevant to the US Postal enquiry and put seals on all the others."

She referred to a law introduced in March 1999 which prohibits "the trafficking and concealment of doping products and inciting others to dope."

She defended the French justice system's role in the affair. "To carry out this fight, justice needs evidence. Therefore, we wanted to seize a certain number of frozen samples, and put seals on the rest," said Mrs Buffet. "Justice is engaged in the search for the suppliers of doping products, and must continue its investigations in this direction. The sporting authorities must stick to the sporting sanctions for sportsmen who are caught using the products."

Mrs Buffet also put pressure on the IOC to validate the EPO urine test. "The problem is the length of time that the IOC is spending to validate this test," she said. "Each time, Juan Antonio Samaranch tells me that it is very positive, very interesting, very good, but the validation has still not been done."

"I have recently received a letter from Mr. Samaranch who praised the qualities of this test. It is necessary now that the IOC hurries: either this test is not valid and he says so, or it is valid and he must also say so. We cannot have a situation like this, where we will not have an answer for months."

According to French daily "Le Parisien", judge Sophie-Helene Château, who leads the investigation into the US Postal team, also seized a list of the riders who gave urine samples during the Tour.

The US Postal team are being charged with the infringement of the March 1999 law quoted above, and the investigation relates to use of the Norwegian blood boosting product, Actovegin which was allegedly found by France 3 journalists in US Postal garbage during the Tour. Actovegin is not a banned substance, but the investigators believe that it can be classed with doping products such as EPO. However, its use has been denied by members of the team.

Tchmil is Belgian Cyclist of the Year

Andrei Tchmil has been awarded the Belgian Cyclist of the Year (Kristallen Fiets), the ninth time it has been awarded. Tchmil, winner of the Ronde van Vlaanderen and runner up in the World Cup, scored 172 points, 25 more points than Axel Merckx. MTB'er Filip Meirhaeghe came third, and Johan Museeuw fourth.

Jurgen Van Goolen (49 points) was considered to be the best espoir of the year, beating Tom Boonen (14) and Bart Wellens (13).

The sporting director of the year was awarded jointly to two men, both with 24 points: Johan Bruyneel and Patrick Lefevere. Telekom director Walter Godefroot came third with 2 points.

Swiss Federation open proceedings vs. Virenque

At the request of the UCI, the Swiss Cycling Federation have opened disciplinary proceedings against Richard Virenque. Virenque and his friend, Pascal Herve were two of the cyclists on the team who did not confess that they had used EPO after the Festina affair broke in 1998. However, in the recent Festina trial both finally admitted it after steadfastly denying it for two years.

Those who already confessed have served suspensions, and Virenque faces between 6 to 12 months for his confession.

Baal may quit

The president of the French Cycling Federation, Daniel Baal is reportedly quite close giving up his position. His counterpart in athletics, Philippe Lamblin recently announced his own decision to quite, and Baal may do the same.

BBC Sports Personality of the Year

Here's another online poll to get your virtual teeth into: The BBC Sports Personality of the Year. The award, so called "one of the best known in sports" is for British competitors only, and goes to the sportsperson who people think has made the greatest contribution to British sport this year.

In cycling this year, Great Britain achieved the incredible when Jason Queally won the gold medal in the kilometre time trial at the Sydney Olympics. He beat the likes of Arnaud Tournant, Stefan Nimke, and Shane Kelly and recorded the fastest sea level time in the event (1.01.609). There was also gold for the Brits at the World Track Championships, when Yvonne McGregor won the individual pursuit, backing up from her excellent bronze at the Olympics. And who could forget Chris Boardman's incredible hour record performance, beating Eddy Merckx's altitude distance at sea level by just 10 metres. What a way to finish a career!

Anyone can vote via the online form on the BBC website. Entries close at midnight, GMT on December 7, and the winner will be announced on December 10.

LeMond changes plans

Greg LeMond has changed his plans for a new cycling team, and is now talking with the Mercury team about working together, according to reports in the Belgian press. That may mean that next season Peter van Petegem (contracted by LeMond) and Leon van Bon (Mercury) could ride in one team.

LeMond has been busy for the last few months creating a team around Van Petegem, offering places to several of his Belgian teammates. Mercury has also grown a lot in the last few months after manager John Wordin contracted riders such as Van Bon, Jans Koerts, Fabrizio Guidi, Chann McRae and Andrei Teteriouk. Wordin wanted to get enough UCI points to ensure a position in the first division. With the 904 points that Peter van Petegem would bring, he is assured promotion.

If he cooperates with Mercury, LeMond doesn't have to hurry to look for more riders with UCI points, who are quite scarce at the moment. If the cooperation solidifies, something will have to be arranged for the team leaders. Wordin signed Alain Gallopin as team manager a few months ago, and has Thurlow Rogers as his assistant. In Lemond's team, Johan Lammerts is the team manager. They believe that they could arrange it without any problems, by splitting the responsibilities.

If both parties agree, the team will ride on Greg LeMond bikes (of course). The UCI has to be informed of next season's new teams before December 10, 2000.

French team news

Pfinder to direct St Quentin

Pascal Pfinder will start his role as the director of St Quentin-Oktos today. He takes over from Martial Gayant, who brought the club from the amateur DN2 to the professional division II level. Gayant is going to La Francaise des Jeux, where he replaces Alain Gallopin who is going to Mercury.

Mantes increases sponsorship

The city of Mantes-en-Yvelines, who already co-sponsor the champion French elite DN1 team, Jean Floc'h, may also sponsor EC Cap Ouest 78, a club with ambitions to reach DN2 by the end of next season.

Courtesy of www.velomania.net