News for December 10, 2000Baal to quit in MarchFrench Cycling Federation president, Daniel Baal (43) announced his retirement today, effective from March next year. Baal has headed the FFC since 1993, but will not seek re-election at the Federation's general meeting on March 3, 2001. He said that time constraints as head accountant of the Crédit Mutuel d'Alsace in Mulhouse would prevent him from continuing into the new millennium, especially with the big developments that have to be tackled in cycling. He had been considering quitting all year, certainly well before the Festina trial hit the headlines again in October. "My decision was already made before Lille. I hesitated to announce it in mid-October on the day after the World Championships in Plouay," said Baal. "The last time I was asked the question was in Sydney." In June 1999, he returned to full-time work at the bank, just after being examined in the April 1999 Festina trial, which "deeply affected" him. After this, it became increasingly difficult to balance his professional life, and his personal life didn't even get a chance. Being president of the FFC is a voluntary task, however Baal and his athletics counterpart, Philippe Lamblin (who has also recently quit his post) both agree that the job requires a lot more than this. Baal said that the work to return to basic values in cycling is far from finished, although some progress has been made. In addition, there is the rather large task (he believes) of rebuilding cycling's image. "These tasks, without speaking about the current management of the federation, require a high degree of availability," said Baal. Baal has experienced both highs and lows during his time as president. The French track team have grown to be the best in the world over the last 7 years, although their complete domination is being eroded now. The French have also been amongst the strongest in the MTB ranks, especially with Miguel Martinez, Anne-Caroline Chausson, and Nicolas Voulliouz who topped their respective UCI rankings this year. However, on the road scene things have been less rosy for the French. A decline in results combined with the biggest drug scandal in the history of the sport have taken place while Baal was in power. Many times some of the blame has been pointed at him, culminating in a court summons in April 1, 1999 as part of the Festina trial. While this was later dismissed, it left Baal with a bitter taste in his mouth, and he subsequently accepted a full time job from the bank. It angered Baal, who has maintained a strong anti-drug stance during his time at the top, including the compulsory and comprehensive health testing of all French riders. But all that will soon be behind him. "I leave without any ulterior motives, acrimony, I leave really quite free. If someone calls upon me for some specific work, I will be available," he added. "I can no longer continue to play with time as I have done since 1993."
Vuelta 2001 takes shapeWith the official announcement describing the full route of the Vuelta a España 2001 to take place next Tuesday, some details have already emerged as to its format. Once again, the race will employ shorter and more exciting stages than are traditionally used for Grand Tours, beginning with a 15 kilometre time trial in Salamanca, September 8. There is good news for the principality of Andorra, as one of the more spectacular stages will be a mountain time trial up to Arcalis (2,230 m). There will be two additional stages against the clock - a 45 kilometre test in Torrelavega and a 40 kilometre finale in Madrid. Despite the loss of the dreaded El Angliru next year, the Vuelta will have its share of climbs, with six stages ending in mountain top finishes: Lagos, La Demanda, Pal, La Molina, Tudons and Abantos.
Mercury-LemondRumours are circulating as fast as the spinning wheels of the Mercury team about their makeup next year. This week, both Belgian and Dutch news services reported that there would be a some sort of merger between Greg Lemond and John Wordin's Mercury team, although the details of the size of Lemond's involvement have yet to be revealed. ANP reported that Lemond would be the head team director, after a phone conversation on Thursday. However, John Wordin assures cyclingnews.com that he will remain as team director. Alain Gallopin will lead the team in Europe. An official announcement is due after the team is registered with the UCI, which should be some time this week.
Leclercq to head Swiss FederationFormer French champion, Jean-Claude Leclercq, has been named technical director of the Swiss Cycling Federation. Leclercq was voted in by the general assembly, and will take the place of his predecessor, Thomas Burch. Belgian organisers meetThe organisers of Belgian one day races between category 1.4 and 1.1 will meet today in Waregem. They want to discuss the rumours about higher prize money for cycling teams in 2001, and are scared that some races will disappear. The Nokere Koerse expects an extra burden of Euro 15,000 and the Dwars door Vlaanderen (Waregem), Euro 25,000. However, until now, there has been no official statement about higher prizemoney made by the UCI.
Bordeaux bids for 2002 Track World'sThe French Cycling Federation announced today that the city of Bordeaux will bid for the World Track Championships in 2002. They last hosted the World's in 1998, and will be competing against Milan and Moscow for the rights. A decision is expected to be made by the UCI in February 2001.
Obree attempt offThe Hour Record attempt by Graeme Obree, scheduled for Saturday, December 23, will be postponed according to promoter Terry Palfreyman. Obree has a viral infection and been ordered to rest by his doctor. More details will be announced in a week's time. New Dutch women's teamA new Dutch professional women's cycling team will join the peloton next season: the BIK team. The team aims to start in all the World Cup races. Lenie Dijkstra (winner of 4 stages in the Tour), Josephine Groeneveld (Dutch junior champion) and Rosa Bravo Soba (Spanish champion) are the highest profile riders that are on the roster. Team managers are Harrie van der Horst and Frank van der Goes.
GP EcoforToday in Pontedera, Italy, will see the staging of the GP Ecofor, a UCI Category 2 cyclocross race. Although not renowned for his cyclocross abilities, the star of show is undoubtedly Andrea Tafi (Mapei), who will try and emulate his performances on the cobble stones of northern France in this off road event. The 2.6 km course has been described as "heavy" due to rain last night and Tafi will have to use all his ability to stay with the leaders. Tafi will not be the only road star to compete: Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo), Leonardo Giordani (Fassa Bortolo), Laurent Dufaux (Saeco), Simone Masciarelli (Cantina Tollo), David Tani (Mapei), Francisco Secchiari (Saeco) will all be trying to upstage the 'cross specialists. These include Stefano Toffoletti (Civibike 98), Valeriano Vandelli (AC Serramazzoni), Igor Tavella (Alta Badia) and the Fausto Scotti (Cantina Tollo). The race is important in the Italian selection for the World Championships in the Czech Republic in January, and will be hotly contested in all categories. Schedule 10.00 Amateurs All Stars vs. National Pilots: 1-1A soccer match was held on Friday evening in Budrio, Bologna, between an "All Star" team (with Marco Pantani and Davide Cassani) and a "National Pilots" squad. The game was a charity match to raise funds for the late photographer, Daniel Amaduzzi. Francisco Guidolin scored a goal for the All Stars, but this was equalised by Ivan Capelli and the final score was 1-1. Davide Cassani remarked afterwards that the playing field was "too level" for Pantani. "There were not enough climbs," he said.
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