News for July 31, 2000

French track selection

After the fourteen riders for the French Olympic track squad were selected yesterday, there were a few questions asked as to some of the team members. National champions Franck Perque (Points) and Damien Pommerau (Madison) were ignored in favour of French road champion, Christophe Capelle, who will pair Robert Sassone in the madison as well as riding the points race. In addition, Philippe Gaumont was given the ride in the individual pursuit ahead of Philippe Ermenault, Francis Moreau, and Jérôme Neuville who are just for the team pursuit.

National coach Patrick Cluzaud defended and explained his choices in an interview with AFP after the finish of the titles. He said that he made a distinction between the sprint group and the endurance group: In the former, it was tough to decide out of Laurent Gané, Vincent Quellec, Florian Rousseau and Frederic Magné who was to ride which sprint event. The decision, said Cluzaud, was made on the basis of "the stopwatch". Gané's 10.099 qualifying time for the sprint was good enough, even though he didn't win the title. Florian Rousseau was also included after his win in the national's.

In the endurance group, not all had peaked for the national's, so this was taken into account. They were also limited to seven riders by the Olympic selection criteria: "For Franck Perque and Damien Pommereau, it was very tough, even more so as they form part of the whole of the national team. I can tell them that there will be chances after the Olympics and that we are counting on them," said Cluzaud, meaning the World Championships in Manchester.

The selection of Capelle was interesting, given his road hopes. However, the French champion is considered to be a better chance on the track and may forgo a berth on the road team. His final road race is a whole month before the Olympics, so it may be quite tough for him to double up. The final French team selection will be made on August 7, and the absolute deadline for changes is August 25. Capelle has not yet been given a spot on the road team.

All in all, the track team is very experienced and strong, arguably having a chance for six gold medals in Sydney.

Lefevere ends

Although there was a chance that Mapei's head team director, Patrick Lefevere would end his leadership of the team during the Tour de France, he did wait until his contract expired on July 31. His time was a period of great success for the team, and they held the number one ranking for several years, although of late, Telekom has tipped them from the top on occasion. Lefevere will now concentrate solely on his Domo team, in order to make it one of the best in 2001. Upon his departure, the Mapei team officially thanked him for "a productive collaboration during the past six years which contributed to the attainment of prestigious success. The team wishes him well in his new initiative."

In other Mapei news, World Champ Oscar Freire is hoping to be back to full fitness again after some time out with a back injury. A new assessment in the form of biomechanical tests will be made of his progress after receiving treatment from team doctor Luigi Simonetto.

In three races on the weekend, Mapei scored three victories, even beating Telekom on their home turf in the Luk Cup - Bühl (Gianni Faresin beat Jan Ullrich). Tom Steels also won the second stage of the Ronde van het Waalse Gewest while Michele Bartoli won the GP Ouest-France in Plouay. You can never keep them out of the action for long!

Finally, the team have also engaged a promising U23 rider for their squad over the next two years. Gian Paul Cheula, currently with UC Bergamesca has had a solid season this year, and the Mapei team have snapped him up until 2002.

Andersson gets a new contract

Swedish ITT World's runner up, Michael Andersson will make his debut for Mercatone Uno-Albacom at the Scandinavian Open Championships in Vårgårda this coming weekend. With him on the team are among others Simone Borgheresi and Riccardo Forconi. Andersson signed for the Italian team a couple of days ago.

"The contract means that I can prepare better for the Olympics," said Andersson to Swedish TV station TV4. Andersson had a contract with the Italian-Slovakian third division team De Nardi but the team had difficulties getting invitations to races. Andersson won the Tour of Sweden (2.3) earlier this summer racing for a Swedish national team composed of some over 23 amateurs and Thomas Grönqvist of Amore&Vita.

Tour 2001 prologue

Next year's Tour de France prologue will be held in Dunkirk, and will once more be a traditional prologue length - 7 kilometres. After this, the early stages will take place in the north-eastern region of France, before an excursion into Belgium, one Alpine stage and three Pyreneean stages.

Kelme to be reduced?

The oldest currently running team in cycling, Kelme-Costa Blanca, may be forced to reduce their line up next year if they are to continue. Director Vicente Belda has done so well with the team, that its present budget of 650 million pesetas ($US 3.6 million) may not be enough to hold onto stars such as Escartin, Otxoa, Botero, Heras, Llorente, Rodriguez or Vidal. Although team president Pepe Quiles has secured that money for next year, teams like ONCE and Banesto will be able to offer higher salaries.

For example, this year former sprinter Angel Edo went to the Portuguese second division squad, Maia-MSS purely for economic reasons, giving up his chance to ride in the Tour. Sixteen riders will be free to go at the end of this season, and negotiations are already underway as to the prices of Kelme's main riders.

Italian charter approved

The Italian Cycling Federation (FCI) have approved a new rule whereby athletes are allowed on the board. The decision was taken on Saturday at an extraordinary meeting of the council in Montecatini, Pistoia. The council voted 159 to 6 (and one abstainer) in support of the reform, allowing three athletes and one director/manager to be on the board.

In addition, current FCI president, Carl Ceruti may have a battle on his hands in September if he wishes to maintain the presidency. Francesco Moser, who is head of the international riders association, is seeking candidacy for the national body.