News for January 7, 2000
Vandenbroucke squares it with MigraineThe world's number three ranked cyclist, Frank Vandenbroucke, has sorted out his contract with Cofidis for this season, after meeting with company director, François Migraine earlier today. The 26 year old Belgian made his peace with his employer, as both realised that they had much to lose and little to gain by breaking off their engagement at this point. However, his contract has been shortened so that he will be free in December of this year, rather than the original date at the end of 2001. "Frank Vandenbroucke committed himself to withdraw all of his demands and will respect his contract rigorously, as well as the sporting ethics to which Cofidis is particularly attached," said Migraine. "Under these conditions, and subject to Frank respecting these resolutions, Cofidis confirms his contract, and will clear the slate. We will withdraw our legal procedures in progress and will forget the damage that has been caused, provided Frank Vandenbroucke, in the future, honours all of his commitments," declared François Migraine. VDB nevertheless admitted that it was "about a marriage of convenience". "Fortunately, intelligence has prevailed. For my part, there are no more wounds. I will take again the responsibility of riding at my best in the World cup, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour de France," he said. The Belgian rider has never been far from controversy during his career so far. He left Lotto prematurely to join Mapei, was involved in a fairly serious doping affair and even his love life makes the front pages of Belgian newspapers. Grande Boucle féminine 2000The women's Tour de France, Le Grande Boucle féminine will begin on August 6 this year in Milan, and will run for two weeks. There is a strong possibility that the finish in Paris will be quite spectacular - at the top of the Monmatre hill at the Sacre Coeur Basilica. Race director, Pierre Boué "has a strong desire", to end the race there, subject to approval of the relevant bodies of course. The official route presentation will take place in April in Paris.
More Tour Down UnderSeveral more teams have arrived on Australia's shores to contest the first big tour for the year. The British second division team, Linda McCartney team flew in yesterday led by team manager Sean Yates. On the road, they will be captained by Max Sciandri, who is obviously fit after a stint in Malibu, California and is keen to start the season with a bang. In addition, French division two team Big Mat Auber arrived, seeking to snare a few stages with star sprinter, Jay Sweet, who is currently riding in the Bay Series criteriums.
2000 EDS Track Cup scheduleCourtesy of Rich Wanninger The EDS Track Cup is the American version of the World Track Cup. The series is designed to develop depth in the track disciplines and provide more opportunities for top riders to compete nationally. It consists of both an individual and team competition. National rankings will be kept in the sprint disciplines and endurance disciplines. Shaklee won the team title in 1999, while Erin Veenstra-Mirabella (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Jame Carney (Durango, Colo.), both members of Team Shaklee won the endurance championships. Marcelo Arrue (Woodland Hills, Calif.) of IKON-Lexus and U.S. national team member Jennie Reed (Kirkland, Wash.) captured the EDS Track Cup sprint titles. The first stop is at the Hellyer Park Velodrome in San Jose, Calif. on March 31 - April 1. The second event will be held in conjunction with the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for track Cycling at The Superdrome in Frisco (Texas), Apr. 25-29. The U.S. Olympic Team trials are an Olympic long team selection event. Following this, the EDS Track Cup series will go to Blaine, Minn. from June 16-18 and will be held in conjunction with the Tour de Wings event, a road cycling event on the USCF National Racing Calendar. The EDS Track Cup finals are slated for the 7-Eleven Velodrome in Colorado Springs, in conjunction with the 2000 EDS Elite National Track Cycling Championships (Aug. 22-26). AutoTrader.com team 2000Courtesy of David Weller The professional women's trade team known last year as Cox Atlanta Velo will debut this season as the AutoTrader.com Cycling Team. Autotrader.com is an internet automotive classifieds company. The team will concentrate on the U.S. National Racing Calendar, Olympic Trials, the Saturn USPro Tour and the Grande Boucle feminine. The consists of experienced riders Pam Schuster and Julie Young, both veterans of the Giro d'Italia, Tour de l'Aude and the Boucle. They will be joined by Kimberly Bruckner, a top US duathletes, Laura Shuford a former Olympic class swimmer, Marjon Marik, the 1999 Points Race National Champion on the track, and Shannon Hutchison, the highest placed Cox rider on the 1999 USPro Tour. In addition, South Africans Andrea Ratkovic and Anke Erlank, as well as Nikki Gugliotta, Tina Mayolo and triathlete Iona Wynter of Jamaica, will ride for the team. They will be directed by Mike Neel, former Director Sportif of the 7-Eleven Team. Team roster Women's Team: Kimberly Bruckner Boulder, CO Anke Erlank (RSA) Fort Jones, CA Nichola Gugliotta Paradise Valley, AZ Shannon Hutchison Atlanta, GA Marjon Marik Flagstaff, AZ Andrea Ratkovic Norman, OK Tina Mayolo Atlanta, GA Laura Shuford Franklin, TN Pam Schuster Northridge, CA Iona Wynter (Jam) Sharpsburg, GA Julie Young Auburn, CA Staff: Kevin Grove Atlanta, GA (Chief Mechanic) Ellen Krimmel Sausilito, CA (Soigneur) Amy Bramblett Athens, GA (Soigneur) Mike Neel Fort Jones, CA (Director Sportif) David Weller Sharpsburg, GA (Technical Director) Regional Team: Ryan Barnett Alpharetta, GA William Erbil Atlanta, GA Steve Hogan Woodstock, GA Danny Joseph Atlanta, GA Michele McCulloch Atlanta, GA Adam Payne Newnan, GA Chad Rodekohr Winder, GA Steven Spencer Atlanta, GA Angela Vargas Clarkston, GA Bill Verdon Newnan, GA Masters Team: Karsten Bicknese Atlanta, GA Jennings Dorn Atlanta, GA Scott Hilburn Atlanta, GA John James Atlanta, GA Bob Lambert Sharpsburg, GA Jeff Meyer Atlanta, GA John Turner Atlanta, GA |