News for January 9, 2000

Zabel v. O'Grady

Deutsche Telekom's Erik Zabel has already covered some 500 km training in Australia this week, in preparation for the Tour Down Under, which starts on January 18 in Adelaide.

He expects to have a strong battle with last year's winner and home favourite, Stuart O'Grady: "Adelaide is his city, and clearly everyone looks out for him, not only the Peloton, also the spectators," said the German sprint star, who also admitted the pressure of being one of the favourites was tough at this time of year.

The Adelaide sun is not quite as warm as it was for Zabel's first visit last year, when he swore he would never return again after the first couple of days off the plane. However, he has warmed to the Australian climate, saying that "last year I was the only one of us in the team who did not have a cold after we returned to Europe. But the Tour Down Under is perfect preparation for the season start. You can ride fast or cruise along in the field. And you can go into the supermarket, without anyone noticing you," he added.

German backer for Saeco?

Mario Cipollini's Saeco-Gaggia team may attract some sponsorship from Germany this year. German Post AG is seeking to become a co-sponsor of the team, being interested in a Cipo/Zabel clash in the next Tour de France (but for how many days?).

Coppi anniversary

Father Luigi Farina today held a service to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the death of Fausto Coppi, Italian cycling legend. The service took place at the the Santuario del Ghisallo in Lombardy.

Bonjour sets its goals

The new, purely French outfit, "Bonjour" run by Jean-Rene Bernaudeau had its official team presentation on January 8 in Lyon. The team has a budget of approximately $US 3.5 million per year, and the title sponsor has pledged its support for at least three years.

Team leader, Jean-Cyril Robin (bronze in the road race at last year's World's) will have strong support from 1999 French Champion, François Simon as well as Didier Rous and Damien Nazon. The remainder of the 18-man team will come mainly from Bernaudeau's amateur squad of last year, "Vendée U".

The team hopes to earn a position in the Tour de France, but they "are not obsessed by being given an invitation. We wish to earn it." said team director Bernaudeau. They will commence the season with the Tour of the Mediterranean in February.

Team roster (all French):

Jean Cyril Robin
François Simon
Didier Rous
Damien Nazon,
Pascal Derame
Franck Bouyer
Olivier Perraudeau
Charles Guilbert
Frédéric Gabriel
walter Beneteau
Christophe Faudot
Sylvain Chavanel
Fabrice Salanson
Sébastien Joly
Frédéric Mainguenaud
Franck Renier
Mickaeel Pichon
Noan Lelarge

Bugno et al. play football

Former Italian professionals, Chiappucci, Bugno and Baronchelli will engage in a friendly football match today at Cassina Rizzardi against a local second category team.