Second edition news for January 20, 2000

Aussies donate blood

The Tour Down Under has once again attracted the interest of scientists at the Australian Institute of sport, who need volunteers to help develop their EPO test. Australian cyclists from the Sunsmart and AIS teams have opted to give blood during the tour to help establish baseline values for parameters that could be used to detect EPO. These blood samples will be part of a much larger sample of 200 Australian athletes that will evaluate the usefulness of a model that has been developed to detect EPO use.

Pontoni favours De Clercq

Recent winner of the GP France World Cup in Nommay, Daniele Pontoni (Ita) believes that the current world cyclocross champion, Mario De Clercq is the favourite for next weekend's World Championships in St Michielsgestel, the Netherlands. The 34 year-old Italian said that despite his own strong showing at Nommay, "14 days can make a big difference," with regard to De Clercq's expected 'peak' on January 30.

"In Poprad [last year], I was up with the best, but a puncture cost me the race. This winter, I've made it part of my program to ride the mountain bike to prepare for the Olympics so I haven't been concentrating on cyclocross as much. There are others to watch at the World's, but Mario De Clercq remains my pick for his third consecutive world title. I will be trying of course for my second rainbow jersey." What, no Sven?

Javier set to go on

Kelme Costa Blanca rider, Pascal Javier says that he will try to emulate his good results of last year. One of his main goals is the Ruta del Sol which he won last year, as well as being on the podium in the Tours of Murcia and Valencia.

Although he is not at the same level as last season, he is doing some intensity training in Alicante, before starting with the Tour of Mallorca on February 6. He wishes to be in top form for the Catalan Week and possibly the Tour of the Basque Country.

After his good season last year, he is under more pressure - from himself - not to let the team down, who rode so well for him. He also has his eye on the Tour, although the Kelme team has not yet been invited. He will be at home this week in Leon before returning to Alicante for the team presentation.

Mercury dry

Not to be outdone by their Saturn and US Postal rivals, US team Mercury have been training in somewhat drier conditions in Woodland Hills, California where the temperatures have been in the mid 70's (20+ degrees C). The team have been out for 5-6 hour daily rides, taking time out for filming in the upcoming Charlie's Angels movie.

The team will head to Langkawi with the following riders: Henk Vogels, Chris Horner, Floyd Landis, Steve Zampieri, Gord Fraser, and Jan Bratkowski.