News for March 13, 2000

The new Ullrich?

That's the tag that Telekom's Paris-Nice winner, Andreas Klöden has been given by Michel Gros, director of second overall, Laurent Brochard's Jean Delatour team. Telekom had a good weekend, with Zabel winning a stage in the Tirreno-Adriatico as well, and they were somewhat proud. They may need a new Ullrich at the moment, as their designated Tour rider is a tad overweight.

Ullrich's weight is always a big concern to him, his team meanagement, others in the peloton and the general cycling public. Big Jan is generally OK come Tour time, but he does make life tough for himself. Director Rudy Pevenage is not worried about Milan San Remo, and he will put his strongest team in. Ullrich has a fair chance, considering that the parcours is reasonably flat and he will be able to work for Zabel early on in the race.

For his part, Klöden dismisses the Ullrich tag as rubbish, pointing out the differences between Paris-Nice and a grand tour, with its succeeding tough days in the mountains. At the same time, Klöden was said to be best helper in the mountains for Ullrich during last year's Vuelta, where he held off many challenges from Spanish riders to record a remarkable victory.

Klöden has had few successes in his career - a stage win in the Tour of Portugal last year being the only one of note. He will ride the Setmana Catalana next and miss the Milan San Remo, despite his good form.

Pantani watch

The Pirate is still on track to race in a week and a half (Memorial Cecchi Gori), but probably not in the Milan San Remo. According to La Gazetta dello Sport, Marco Pantani managed another 160 km+ training ride yesterday, and is reported to be in good health. His doctor, Emilio Magni has prescribed him a new diet in order to help him deal with various stresses, including a sore throat, and a bad stomach. He is therefore not allowed to train too intensively, and even took a rest day last Friday, riding for just two hours, before his appointment with the doctor.

VDB re-prioritises

The irrepressible and unpredictable Belgian, Frank Vandenbroucke has been forced to re-assess his early season goals, after a suspected shoulder injury put him out of action for a short while. Although VDB was aiming to defend his Paris-Nice title, he fell down the stairs a few days before the race and had to pull out. In doing so, he missed a week of hard racing, which is vitally important for an early season classics campaign.

He will do Milan San Remo for training, then ride in the GP Waregem, Herelbeke and the Three Days of de Panne to get something back for the Ronde van Vlaanderen, and the Ardennes classics. Paris-Roubaix is unlikely, but he may do the Tour of the Basque Country and some other Spanish races. Only he knows.

Trophys for Armstrong, Tafi & Baldini

Lance Armstrong, Andrea Tafi and Ercole Baldini will be each be awarded one of the three golden trophys for services to their sport. The awards, instigated by Roberto and Graziella Cortesi and family will take place on Friday, March 17, the eve of Milan San Remo.

Armstrong's award is for setting an example of someone who wants to fight in order to keep living, Tafi's is for perservering in the Paris-Roubaix until he finally won it, and Baldini's is for the coaching and preparation of the Italian Olympic team.

Bormio celebrates

The citizens of Bormio will see the Giro d'Italia pass through their town this year on May 28, and they have decided to celebrate the event in typical Italian fashion. Yesterday evening, the town's administrators unveiled a series of sculptures in the Alberti Tower to commemorate the first time in 12 years that the Giro was visiting their town.

The 15th stage, from Selva Gardena to Bormio will take in the Mendola, the Tonale and Gavia passes en route. Twelve years ago, the town was witness to Andy Hampsten's legendary ride up the Gavia in the snow, when he became the first American to gain and win the Pink Jersey in the Giro.