News for December 28, 2000UCI and FFC to appealThe International Cycling Union (UCI) and the French Cycling Federation (FFC) will appeal the decision made against them that was handed down last Friday in the Festina trial. Both parties were claiming a "symbolic one franc in damages for the harm done to cycling and their efforts to combat doping." However when the judgment came in Lille, it did not cast the UCI or the FFC in a favourable light. Not only were the damages claims rejected, but cycling's governing bodies were also roundly criticised for "not doing enough in the fight against doping." Even before the verdict was given, the UCI issued a statement outlining their efforts in combating doping, including 12,500 drug tests per year, research into corticosteroid and PFC detection, funding for other drug detection programmes, blood tests since 1997, a compulsory medical monitoring programme since 1999, and a commitment to the World Anti-Doping agency (WADA). So now, the UCI and the FFC are "unable accept the reasons for this judgment as it relates to them" and will "ask the Court of Appeal in Douai (northern France) to recognize the damage which they have sustained through the actions of the condemned people," read the latest release from the two bodies.
Ullrich still in South AfricaJan Ullrich has decided to spend a little more time in South Africa, where he has been training since December 5. Although the original plan was to return home to Germany on December 27, Ullrich will stay for another three days until Saturday. He has been accompanied in South Africa by Peter Becker (his coach) and teammates Kai Hundertmarck, Jens Heppner and Matthias Kessler. According to Telekom boss, Rudy Pevenage, Ullrich has so far kept himself out of trouble: "He has trained well, feels good and is a long way from the weight problems that have plagued him for the past few years in winter." The next phase of training will see Ullrich in Kitzbühel for the New Year before joining with the rest of the Telekom team (with the exception of the Tour Down Under team) in Mallorca on January 5. He will return to South Africa in February, finishing in March when he will start racing. The first race planned for Ullrich is the Vuelta a Murcia, March 7-11.
Teams announced for Tour of WellingtonRace director Jorge Sandoval has released the 80 rider field for the Fuji Xerox Cycle Classic (Tour of Wellington) that starts on January 3, 2001 with a 45km criterium in Lower Hutt. The six stage race is 600 kilometres long, and is classed as 2.5 by the UCI. Defending champion Brendon Vesty will wear number 1 in the Fuji Xerox-New Zealand team, that contains Chris Jenner, Scott Guyton, Lee Vertongen and Australian Sean Sullivan. They look to be one of the strongest teams on paper, along with Avanti Cycles' team of Graeme Miller, Jeremy Yates, Bryce Shapley, Robin Reid and Erin Hartwell. Another team that will be watched with interest is the Australian U23 team of Greg Cambell, Brad Edmunds, Ryan Moody, Todd Parnell and Nathan Jones. Can they repeat the feats of Robbie McEwen, Corey Sweet and Hayden Bradbury who have all won the Tour of Wellington as young riders? Teams Fuji Xerox NZ: Brendon Vesty, Chris Jenner, Scott Guyton, Lee Vertongen, Auckland Team: Ric Reid, Darren Murray, Gordon Bearman, Chris Boerson,
Paul Penny Farthing Australia: Gary Chapman, Phil Chapman, Peter Biddington,
Brad Penny Farthing Wellington: Jim Robinson, Steve Blair, Darren Gordon,
Steve VIC Cycles: Warren Simpson, Daniel Warren, Andrew Bott, Gareth Apolin, Pins Cycles Wellington: Paul Davis, Jamie Thynne, Christian Wengler,
Paul Pack and Pedal: Jeff Burndred, Kris Wittington, James Stevenson, Mark
Makay, Lupi Pasta Team: Stephen Elden, Andrew Mildenhall, Simon Morris, Richard Hong Kong national team: Ho Siu Lun, Lau King Yu, Lau King Nin, Wong
Ngai BRC Kennermerland-Holland: Braam De Waard, Tino Haakman, Gerard Burkes Cycles-Australia U23: Greg Cambel, Brad Edmonds, Ryan Moody,
Nathan Avanti Cycles: Graeme Miller, Jeremy Yates, Bryce Shapley, Robin Reid,
Erin Southend Cycles: Andrew Ward, Matthew Gilbert, Brett Backhouse, David
Rae, Pins Cycles Wellington 2: Salis Cullenm, David Shaw David McGuigan,
John Giant Bicycles: Neil Sentance, Tim Paviel, Tim Kerr, Brad McFarlane,
Scott Fox back to amateur/elite ranksLuckless Irish neo-pro, Morgan Fox will be riding in the amateur ranks for the Irish National team next season after his contract was not renewed by the Belgian Tönnisteiner team. Although the team had previously said they would renew Morgan's contract, they did not do so and he was unable to find a new team in time. Fox had to spend a good part of his first professional season sidelined with glandular fever.
Yeti/Pearl Izumi introduces new teamTwo Colorado companies, Yeti Cycles and Pearl Izumi, have today announced the formation of the Yeti/Pearl Izumi Race Team. The four member team will have a broad focus (downhill, dual slalom, and cross-country) and are looking for success with some top names on their roster. Returning to the squad for 2001 is Australian Nathan Rennie, winner of the NORBA NCS Downhill at Crystal Mountain, Washington earlier this year. Rennie also won the Sea Otter Classic, Gorge Games Downhill and was third at the UCI World Cup Downhill in Vail, Colorado. Yeti/Pearl Izumi has also signed dual slalom powerhouse, Tara Llanes. Tara was the silver medallist in the Dual at the 2000 World Championships and finished 2nd overall in the UCI World Cup standings. Llanes has also proven her strength in the downhill, finishing third at the NORBA NCS #2 at Mount Snow, Vermont. In the cross country stakes they have signed Australian Paul Rowney, current Australian National Champion and 10th finisher at the Olympics in Sydney. According to Nathan Rennie, "He's a good bloke," and Yeti knew they had to sign any guy that a downhiller would say something good about. Colorado's Frank Mapel will round out the team. Mapel had a 10th place finish at the NORBA NCS XC finals in Mammoth and finished 12th overall in the NORBA NCS STX. Team Yeti/Pearl Izumi will make its debut this spring at the Sea Otter Classic. The team will then ride the NORBA NCS races and North American World Cups throughout the summer. Nokian X Treme Bike FestivalThe first running of the winter Nokian X Treme Bike Festival will take place in Bergün im Albulatal, Switzerland from January 19-21, 2001. Sponsored by the Finnish spiked tire manufacturer Nokian, the Festival will incorporate a mixture of MTB cross country and downhill events conducted on snow and ice. The Festival will start on Friday, January 19 with a cross country tour aimed at the whole family. On Saturday at 0830, things get serious with a XC race between Bergün - Stuls - Latsch - Bergün - Preda. At 1100, there will be a downhill race between Preda and Bergün, with other winter sports activities being planned for the rest of the family. The Festival will conclude on Sunday with a guided "snow shoe tour" in the bike touring region of Bergün. |