News for January 10, 2000
Cipo aims for Milan-San RemoBy Tim Maloney, cyclingnews.com correspondent "You know, I haven't really stopped training this year. I'm in good shape and I still have that old project in mind...Milano-San Remo." These were Mario Cipollini's parting words before he boarded the plane for the island of Guadaloupe in the Carribean Sea with five of his Saeco-Gaggia teammates (Salvodelli, Scirea, Calcaterra, Conte, Galletti). Cipo had a 10 day trip to the French island in December and decided to return with his key lead-out guys, as well as rising star Paolo Salvodelli. In fact, Cipo reckons he's ahead of his training schedule and believes he's quite fit already for this time of year. Cipo and Co. will put in a tough two week training session before returning to Italy for the Saeco-Gaggia team training camp in Tuscany in late January. It's certainly been a challenge to attract the Lion King out to Australia for the early season races! With four stage wins each in last year's Giro d'Italia and Tour De France and almost 150 career wins, it's hard to argue with Cipo's brash statement that "I'm a winning machine that puts on a certain type of show when I race..." he said. "I've won a lot, but even so, it's never enough for me." Even though Mario Cipollini will be 33 this year, The Lion King still has yet to find a sprint adversary that will put him in his place. Super Mario and his boys will follow a tough training schedule in the Antilles, based mostly on "fondo", or steady 6-7 hour rides to build the base for the season." Guadaloupe is great for training; not much traffic, nice roads and nice people," said Cipo. Last year, Mario Cipollini and his key guys went to Namibia in '99, but after his trip late last year, Mario was convinced to return." The climate is ideal, and if we want, we can ride 200km. There is a really tough climb that goes to 1700 meters up the volcano...maybe we'll make Salvodelli do that, " laughed Mario. Baby Face Salvodelli is not so sure: "I'm on a different program. When Mario and his boys start the tough anaerobic training, I'll just go off on my own. My program is supposed to bring me into form gradually for the Giro d'Italia," said Salvodelli. The Bergamo native has had trouble this winter, as the bitter cold temperatures in the mountain valleys north of the Italian city have curtailed his winter training program EPO trial needs volunteersThe Australian Institute of Sport in collaboration with the Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory, as well as several laboratories around the world in Norway, France, and Canada, is seeking volunteer athletes to take the blood boosting drug, Erythropoetin (EPO). The trial is for furthering the development of a test for the drug, with the aim of having it in place by the Sydney Olympics in September. The Australian part of the project has received $AUS 1.5 million ($US 1 million) in funding from the International Olympic Committee in addition to $AUS 1.5 million from the Australian Government. Up to 1000 athletes, from 8-10 countries will be required, with 120 coming from Australia. The researchers are seeking men and women between 18 and 35 years old who regularly undertake aerobic activity. Yes, this includes cycling. They will be paid up to $800 and have to take the drug (or a placebo) for 6-10 weeks. The study is required to verify the results of the trial carried out by the AIS last year, where they tested a smaller group of athletes to determine the effects of EPO. In the words of AIS physiologist, Dave Martin, the results were conclusive: "bottom line. EPO works". As a result, scientists were able to develop a statistical model, based on a variety of indirect parameters that will show usage of injected EPO (the is still subject to review). However, to make the test viable, it has to stand up to the wide physiological
variation amongst the worlds population. Director of the AIS Sport Sciences,
Ross Smith said that "participants in the new study will (ideally) be
drawn from a broad cross section of the community representing a range
of ethnic groups. We are seeking subjects from Asian, Indian, African
and Caucasian backgrounds." The world wide study would "Some of the volunteers will be administered EPO and all will be required to carry out a level of aerobic activity during the test, under the direction of an accredited coach," said Dr Smith. "The volunteers must be prepared to forego any involvement in formal competition for 14 weeks, because they will be taking a substance which is banned by the IOC," he said, presumably disappointing a few people. However, Dr Smith pointed out that only very low doses of the drug would be administered, and "anyone suffering side effects from either the physical activity or EPO would be taken off the prject immediately." In the second phase of the project, blood samples will be taken from men and women representing a variety of ethnic groups around the world. In addition, the French IOC laboratory will be testing urine samples of those injected with the drug with the aim of developing a "non-invasive" urine test. According to Kerry Emslie, of the Australian Government Testing Laboratories (AGAL), there is a "huge amount of data" to be collected, before the test is given the OK. However, she and the other members of the program are quite optimistic that they will achieve this before September. Interested? If you are in Australia, then contact the following: Alan Reid, AIS: 02 6214 1207, or 0408 417 894 (mobile)
Dutch selection for World'sAfter the National Championships were held on the weekend, the Dutch squad for the World Cyclocross Championships in Sint Michielsgestel, Netherlands was announced. The following riders were named: Elite: Richard Groenendaal, Adri van der Poel, Wim de Vos, Maarten Nijland and Gerben de Knegt (who were the top five at the nationals) Espoirs: Camiel van den Bergh, Wilant van Gils, Roel van Houtum, Freek de Jong and Thijs Volker. Reserves: Thijs Verhagen, Dennis Kools and Roel Egelmeers. Juniors: Jehan de Bont, Hidde Bos, Kenny van Hummel, Gerben de Vries and Koen de Kort. Reserves: Marco Wesseling, Bart Dirkx and Thijs Magielse. Women: Daphny van den Brand, Corine Dorland, Danielle Jansen, Inge Velthuis and Nicolle Leijten. Reserves: Elly van Boxmeer and Ilona Meter. |