News for February 21, 2000
Van der Poel finishesBy Tomas Nilsson & Ruud Voest
Adri van der Poel called it quits this weekend after his final cyclocross race after a long career spanning 20 years. He had a fine road career with 105 wins, mostly in the eighties, with victories in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Tour of Flanders, Amstel Gold Race, Meisterschaft von Zürich as well as Paris-Brussels and two stages in the Tour de France and one in the Tour de Suisse. He was also Dutch Champion in 1987. This puts him right up there with Zoetemelk and Janssen as one of the best Dutch cyclists of all time. Cyclo Cross was always his winter business and in the nineties he focused more and more on this specialty. He kept racing on the road until last season, often in the same Rabobank squad as cyclo cross companions Richard Groenendaal and Sven Nijs. After five silver medals he finally won the cyclo crossers' rainbow jersey in 1996 and the World Cup the following season. At the latest rankings (January 30, 2000) he was ranked as number four in the world of cyclo cross. In Hoogerheide, the Netherlands, all the major cyclo-cross competitors paid a well deserved tribute to the 40 year old world champion of 1996. Sven Nijs, Danielle Pontoni and Richard Groendendaal, they all took part in Adri's last stand. The last race was won by world champion Richard Groenendaal, and Adri finished third behind Sven Nijs. Danny de Bie also said farewell to cycling. Thousands of people came to the hometown of Adri van der Poel to say goodbye to him and his family. Also his father in law, the famous Raymond Poulidor was present of course. The Pirate in SpainMarco Pantani will make his long awaited re-entry into the peloton on Tuesday, with the Tour of the Valencian Community in Spain. He will be watched by thousands of journalists around the world, who are waiting to see the pirate make yet another comeback. He says he has been training well, but has suffered from a throat infection, which was one of the reasons for his delayed return. Yesterday, he rode for two hours with the Mercatone-Uno team, who were all on the Bianchi titanium machines, however Pantani has not yet decided whether to go with an aluminium job. He will decide on race day, according to mechanic Luigi Veneziano. He is not out of the woods doping-wise though, as on Saturday an experts assessment of his June 1999 blood tests was given to the Public prosecutor in Bologna. The 50 page document was made by professors Vittorio Rizzoli and Giovanni Meglioli and will be sent to Pantani's lawyers tomorrow. His lawyers, Gaetano Insolera and Bruno Guazzaloca, are arguing that the procedures and methods used to test Pantani on that fateful day in June last year, were incorrect. The high hematocrit (52%) could be explained therefore by the error margin of the test, and was not due to EPO.
Ullrich survives first testAfter the conclusion of his first race for the year, Jan Ullrich (Telekom) is in reasonable spirits. The Rapport Toer was hot and tough for the German, who played a supporting role to teammate Alberto Elli who finished second overall. Ullrich was 33.06 down on the winner, Tobias Steinhauser of the Gerolsteiner team, but was not too disappointed. "Riding in South Africa was naturally not as hard as the early season European races, but it was still enough intensity for me to gain from it," he said. "After two days rest at home I will see how my form is, but I have a good feeling." He does not fear a catching a cold anymore, and taking time off the bike: "I am well trained, so that even a break for 3-4 days would not upset me." Last year, he started the Mallorca Challenge, and subsequently suffered a series of colds and infections, delaying his return to form, but then he crashed out in the Tour of Germany. In the early part of the season, his main goal is to help Zabel win the Milan San Remo for the third time. He could well be there at the finish, as he was in 1996 and 1997.
Breakaway Courier systemsCourtesy of Adam Hodges Myerson The Breakaway Courier Systems Cycling Team have announced their roster for the 2000 season. The team has been on operation since 1992, with their prime goal being about supporting the best up and coming riders on their way to the top, and keeping top riders afloat when other sponsors have fallen through. To this end, this year they will have an under-23-year-old-only team comprised of 5 riders. Riders on their list include 1993 World Road Championship silver medallist Jessica Greico, 1992 World Pursuit Champion Mike McCarthy, current professionals Kevin Monahan and Scott Mercer, and 1997 Collegiate National Cyclo-cross champion Adam Hodges Myerson. The team will officially launch on March 1st, and will be focusing on a schedule of East Coast National Racing Calendar events, including the First Charter Criterium, Golden Pantry Twilight, US Postal Service Clarendon Cup, Tour of Somerville, American Cup, Fitchburg-Longsjo Classic, Tour of Ohio, Wendy's International Classic, CriteriumAmerica, Chicago Grand Prix, Chris Thater Memorial Criterium, Killington SR, Bear Mountain Road Race, Univest Grand Prix, and the Michelin Classic. The team will also be placing great importance on the Under-23 National Championships, as well as traditional New York City classics like Harlem, the Lou Maltese Memorial, and the GS Mengoni Grand Prix. The team is sponsored by Breakaway Courier Systems, Aegis Bicycles, Alexa Custom Cycling Apparel, Spinergy, Time, Cycle-Smart Coaching, Promotions and Management, and John Wordin Sports. Team roster Andrew Crater Ryan Stoner Joseph Alachoyan Doug Gowen Jason Baer Adam Hodges Myerson Charles Issendorf |
