News for July 22, 2000

TT focus for Armstrong

Lance Armstrong, current Maillot Jaune in this year's Tour de France, and winner of all three Tour time trials in 1999, has reaffirmed his commitment to the Sydney Olympic Time Trial in 2 months time. His goal is the time trial, as this is a race less affected by chance. He said last night before the 58.5 km Fribourg-Mulhouse time trial that "I know I can train specifically for the time trial...it will be my main goal in Sydney."

His time trialling nemesis, Jan Ullrich may have something to say about that, as will David Millar and Laurent Jalabert. The Sydney time trial course is quite different to any encountered on the Tour however, as it is both hillier and more technical.

New hour record attempt for Boardman

Current hour record holder, Chris Boardman has said that he will try for a new record midway through October this year. His mark of 56.375 kilometres has never been beaten, however the UCI have changed the rules since then to ban the so-called "superman position". Boardman believes that to beat the record using the current rules would be too difficult, and instead wants to start afresh.

His team manager, Roger Legeay has discussed the proposal with UCI president Hein Verbruggen, "He follows our way of thinking," said Legeay. The attempt will probably take place in Manchester, the site of his old record. And the mark to be beaten? Eddy Merckx's 1972 ride of 49.431 km/h.

Hoffman to Domo?

Memorycard-Jack&Jones rider, Tristan Hoffman has a reportedly had a good offer for the new Domo team of Patrick Lefevere. He will decide after the Tour whether to accept the deal, as he has a two-year contract with Jack&Jones. However, in it there is a clause which stays he can leave if he has a better offer from another team.

"The offer from Lefevere is serious. I have some other offers too, but Domo seems an ideal team for the classics. And it would be great to get Johan Museeuw as teammate. I can learn a lot from him and maybe I'll get a chance after Museeuw stops," said Hoffman.

Dutch track team for the Olympics

Union coach Peter Pieters will announce his selection for the Olympics next Monday. The only cyclist who is sure at the moment is Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel (road). This week the national track championships are in Alkmaar, and they will serve as the final selection races for the Dutch squad.

There are still 3 candidates for one starting ticket in the women's points race: Anouska van der Zee, Debby Mansveld and Sissy van Alebeek.

"I have a preference for Leontien van Moorsel, but unfortunately she doesn't want to start in this race. In the national championship she won with 4 laps," said Pieters. Mansveld expects to get the berth after coming second, having two laps up on Van der Zee and Alebeek. Van Moorsel will ride in the road race, the individual pursuit and the time trial in Sydney.

For the team pursuit Wilco Zuijderwijk, John den Braber, Robert Slippens and Jens Mouris seem to be certain. "I have my doubts about one or two places. So I have to see what happens during the Dutch championships. And I need a reserve too," said Pieters today.

Candidates for this team are: Danny Stam, Peter Schep, Michael van der Wolf and Paul van Schalen.

Tanner to get Olympic support

Olympic nominee and British national road champion, John Tanner is already starting his preparations for the Olympic Road race in two months time. All the 32 year-old requires is approval from the British Olympic Association, but he's as good as in.

He is trying for funding from the BCF's World Class Performance Programme (WCPP) to help with his build up. An application for such has been submitted to the Lottery. In the meantime, Tanner will be joining the WCPP's Track Endurance squad for training races abroad.

Last weekend, Tanner joined Team Pursuit hopefuls Chris Newton, Paul Manning and Bryan Steel in Italy, where they rode the 23rd Freccia Del Vini, a UCI 1.6 category road race. Tanner was the only GB rider to finish in 14th place. He will now continue his domestic racing commitments.

Mountain biker Louise Robinson, another athlete likely to be competing in Sydney, but not currently Lottery funded, is also being assisted by the BCF' s World Class Performance Programme in her preparations for the Olympics.

Kristy Scrymgeour update

Currently with the Australian National women's team in Italy, Kristy Scrymgeour recently competed in the Giro Donne (women's Giro d'Italia). Unfortunately, her scheduled upcoming racing plans have had to be put hold as she has once again broken her collarbone.

She writes, "Just as I was about to sit down and write you an email about how spectacular it is here riding through the mountain passes on the Italian Swiss border, I decide to ride a dirt descent as if I was a downhill mountain biker, and have broken my collarbone. Luckily its the right arm, just to even things up a little. Anyway, now I am stuck here staring at the mountains, not being able to ride them.

The view's not bad, but she's not looking forward to more ergo sessions.