News for July 7, 2000

Farm Frites sacks Ivanov

The Dutch team Farm Frites fires Russian Champion Sergei Ivanov who was found to have a haematocrit level above 50 percent before the first stage of the Tour de France. So was also Andrej Hauptmann (Vini Caldirola) and Rossano Brasi (Polti). These teams have yet to react on the test results.

For Farm Frites the case is especially sensitive since the team, under the name of TVM, was excluded from last year's tour due to the doping affair the year before. This spring another rider, the promising Belgian Dave Bruylandts was immediately fired after a blood test showing too high values. Bruylandts now rides for the Belgian second division Palmans team.

Double offers for van Petegem

Peter Van Petegem leaves Farm Frites, that's for sure, but he says he has two offers: one from Cees Priem (who has yet to find a sponsor for his new team) and the other from Domo. But Domo manager Patrick Lefevere says he hasn't given an offer to van Petegem: "I don't know anything about it. He should have called me back, but till now he hasn't", says Lefevre van Petegem says: "I'll wait for a day of two for a reaction by Cees Priem. And if that team's future is uncertain I will go to Lefevre's Domo. Lefevere has said to me that it isn't a problem to bring Geert van Bondt and Wim Vansevenant along. And Klier too, but Lefevre was already looking for Klier."

Ekimov stays in US Postal

The strong Russian domestique Viatcheslav Ekimov will stay another year with US Postal Service. All because of Lance Armstrong: "He is a true leader for the team: He knows what to ask for. If you work hard for him he goes 100 percent for winning. He appreciates your work, he is not like a lot of other captains that just disappears after the race saying 'that's it and I'm tired'. I have never had a leader like Lance," says the Russian veteran according to Cyclingworld.dk. Ekimov came back to US Postal this year after a one year term at Italian Amica Chips: "I had a misunderstanding with Mark (Gorski) and we began a play about money that ended with me signing for Amica Chips because they were the only ones interested. I thought my career was over. But now I'm glad to be back on the team again."

Barthe prepared to leave

Stéphane Barthe was not selected for the Tour this year by Ag2r Prévoyance and is trying in his disappointment to find another team for next year where he will have greater opportunities to exploit his abilities as a sprinter in his own right. In Ag2R he has often been the lead out man for Jaan Kirsipuu, who hasn't been very successful in the Tour so far this year