News for January 22, 2000

Ullrich wises up

Jan Ullrich is maturing as a professional it seems, as he takes on the responsibilities expected from a top performing rider. Not just in racing, but also with his public appearances. In the past, he found the media barrage somewhat annoying (as you do) and often refused to talk with journalists.

However, one of his new year resolutions is to become more open to the press. "I have become more self-confident," says Ullrich. "I have matured during the passed year, become looser. I have seen that when one has severe problems, like I had last year, I can advance myself."

Ullrich does not want to be disturbed on its new way forward. He will not be drawn into the "Dutch doping confessions" which were reported recently. "I heard only briefly of it. I would not like to be involved with it at all," said the time trial world champion, and the winner of the Vuelta last year.

The impression is to the press that a new Ullrich sits before them. One which has no more fear. He is not afraid of boring journalist questions now, or preparing for races, or getting sick. In Mallorca, he was suffering from a cold. Ullrich reduced his program, riding smaller distances of 150 to 160 km per day, mostly without his teammates. He does not want to make an error. "I did my homework in the winter for a good training program," he says.

Rincon kidnapped

32 year-old Colombian, Oliviero Rincon, former climbing star of the Tour de France who retired a year ago, has been kidnapped from his parents home in Duitama. Three heavily armed men broke in on Thursday, January 20 and abducted both Rincon and his sister-in-law, Yadira Jiménez (who was released 5 hours afterward).

Police, detectives and the military have started the search along the highway that connects Boyacá with Casanare, because that was where they found Yadira Jiménez. For her part, Jiménez commented that the kidnappers, who did not identify themselves, promised to respect the life of Rincon. They did not indicate immediately if they committed the crime for economic or political reasons.

Rincon, rode for seven seasons as a professional with Spanish teams Kelme, ONCE, Amaya Seguros, and Vitalicio Seguros.

World's doping coverup

It was reported in Belgian press yesterday that there was a possible unreported doping case at the 1999 World Road Championships, involving Belgian cyclist Bert Roesems. Roesems, who rides for the Belgian Tönissteiner team had tested positive for nandrolone after the World Time Trial Championships on October 6, where he finished 21st.

The UCI advised the Belgian Federation (Royale Ligue Velocipedique Belge) at the end of last year, however there is yet to be any action taken.

Sven handicapped

With just over a week to go to the World Cyclocross Championships, prime favourite, Sven Nijs (Bel) will face a course tougher than he is used to. The reason? The Belgian is good at jumping over handicaps (barriers), however the organisers are intending on placing a lot of sand before each one in order to prevent this. They say it's to stop injuries, and the Belgians are not happy but the rest are.

"There is only one rider who can jump over the handicaps. We all know that. The organisation understood that. It isn't a disqualification for Sven, because he has won races without these kinds of jump handicap. The changes are equal now. I race a world championship in my own country and it's normal that you want to create the best possible position," said Dutch rival (but also Rabobank teammate) Richard Groenendaal during a press conference.

VDB on MTB

A lot of prominent road racers will take part in the Open Monte Naranco in Oviedo on January 30, the traditional opening of the Spanish MTB season, according to Ciclismo en España.

Names like Frank Vandenbroucke, Óscar Freire, José María Jiménez, Manuel Fernández Ginés, Manuel Beltrán, Francisco Cerezo, José Luis Rubiera, José Manuel Uría,.will take on the experts like Italian five times winner Diario Cioni, his compatriot U23 world champion Marco Bui, Miguel Martínez and Marga Fullana (Women's world champion)

Six Days of Frankfurt?

The shortest European indoor season for many years is almost over. Four races, Herning, Copenhagen, Leipzig and Milano, have disappeared from the calendar. However, according to Radsport-news, a there will be a new race in Frankfurt am Main will take Milano's place as the closing event of the season.

For Spanish fans, there will be some comfort to find in the "Six hours of Euskadi" though, on February 5. The race will take place on the Velodrome of Anoeta in San Sebastián, and has already attracted many of the top teams. DeWilde and Gilmore will be there, as well as Kappes and Madsen, with more top teams expected.