News for March 15, 2000UCI rankings: Jalabert as usualBy Tomas Nilsson, cyclingnews.com correspondent Men The UCI has issued a new world ranking list after Paris - Nice, although Tirreno-Adriatico is still going on. Laurent Jalabert is at the top as usual, he is almost 1000 points ahead of Michael Boogerd. Small wonder that the Dutchman declared the other day that he was not aiming to keep his second place (read: aiming for first) in the rankings by chasing points in various races, but rather concentrate on the important ones. There is a list also for points gathered during this calendar year, with Laurent Brochard in the lead followed by Jaan Kirsipuu. This top 100 list also contains names like Pedro Pablo Perez of Cuba and Kam Po Wong of Hong Kong, due to good results in Latin America and the Far East respectively. The young Cuban, 23 years old, is always doing well on the American continent, it would be interesting to see him in European races, Fidel allowing. The teams classifications also counts from the new year, and first and second divisions are not comparable since they are allowed to count a limited number of races in each category, different for the two divisions. Interesting here is to see that Memorycard Jack&Jones, struggling for a wild card for the Tour this year is eighth. If the team keeps that position the whole year they will be qualified for the Tour in 2001. The nations rankings are also important. They decide the number of participants in the World's and the points value of the national championships. The 10 highest ranked nations at the 15th of August will have 12 riders on the team, the five next will have eight while the following nations down to 20th will have four riders and the rest down to 30th will have two. Right now there's an interesting fight around fifteenth place with Australia qualified right now but Sweden is close behind. (Does Bäckstedt really think of this when he is leading out the sprints for O'Grady?). Great Britain, Austria and Ukraine are lurking behind. Around 30th it's South Africa and Slovakia on the two last spots, with Cuba trailing by 100 points, quite a lot at this level, so don't count on Perez in Plouay in October. The following nations with some small chances are Mexico, Luxembourg, Finland and Moldavia. Women The women's rankings have undergone a few changes this year, with three UCI events being completed. The big change at the top was a reversal of Hanka Kupfernagel's and Anna Wilson's placings, with Wilson now leading Kupfernagel by 81 points. This will presumably see-saw during the year, depending on whether Kupfernagel chooses to chase the World Cup. Wilson has already stated that this is not her goal for the year and will race mainly in the US. However, she has quite a lead on third placed Diana Ziliute of Lithuania. As far as the others are concerned, Tracey Gaudry has done her fifth place ranking no harm with many high finishes in the Snowy race, and the same goes for Mirjam Melchers and Mari Holden. Geneviève Jeanson has begun her climb so to speak, in 33rd place with 95 points. In the nations rankings, Germany is in front of Australia, by virtue of having Kupfernagel, Petra Rossner and Judith Arndt in the top 15, while Australia has Wilson and Gaudry in the top 5. However, with a few strong performances by the Australian national team in Europe this year, the balance may change. Of course, the Lithuanians are always close behind and will undoubtedly challenge the top two nations in the coming season. The teams rankings are headed by the US Saturn team, who have a very powerful women's squad with Wilson, Rossner, Lyne Bessette, Susy Pryde and Dede Demet-Barry, to name but some of their top ranked riders. They are followed by the "dream team", Acca Due O-Lorena Camiche who hold most of the top Lithuanian and Russian cyclists in their ranks. In third is Edita Pucinskaite's Alfa Lum outfit, while fourth spot is held by Team Timex. With regard to the women's team rankings however, there are a number of national teams that don't actually figure. For example, the Dutch, New Zealand, and Canadian teams have several riders with quite a few points but will not figure on the scale. With the shift towards more professional trade teams, this will change, although the national teams will still play a role in developing the younger athletes for a while yet. UCI rankings - March 13, 2000 1. Laurent Jalabert (Fra) ONCE-Deutsche Bank 2,545.75 2. Michael Boogerd (Ned) Rabobank 1,587.00 3. Andrei Tchmil (Bel) Lotto-Adecco 1,548.00 4. Frank Vandenbroucke (Bel) Cofidis 1,535.50 5. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal Service 1,495.00 6. Davide Rebellin (Ita) Liquigas-Pata 1,442.00 7. Francesco Casagrande (Ita) Vini Caldirola-Sidermec 1,437.00 8. Jann Kirsipuu (Est) Ag2R Prevoyance 1,426.00 9. Jan Ullrich (Ger) Telekom 1,408.00 10. Roberto Heras Hernandez (Esp) Kelme-Costa Blanca 1,373.00 11. Marcus Zberg (Sui) Rabobank 1,361.00 12. Erik Zabel (Ger) Telekom 1,263.00 13. Romans Vainsteins (Lat) Vini Caldirola-Sidermec 1,258.00 14. Abraham Olano Manzano (Esp) ONCE-Deutsche Bank 1,256.75 15. Paolo Bettini (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step 1,225.00 16. Oscar Camenzind (Sui) Lampre-Daikin 1,115.00 17. Mirko Celestino (Ita) Team Polti 1,025.00 18. Peter Van Petegem (Bel) Farm Frites 1,023.50 19. Jeroen Blijlevens (Ned) Team Polti 1,018.00 20. Igor Gonzalez Galdeano Aranzabal (Esp) Vitalicio Seguros 1,014.00 21. Alex Zuelle (Sui) Banesto 1,011.00 22. Wladimir Belli (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 991.00 23. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Telekom 981.00 24. Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Lampre-Daikin 972.00 25. Daniele Nardello (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step 963.00 26. Johan Museeuw (Bel) Mapei-Quick Step 954.50 27. José Maria Jimenez Sastre (Esp) Banesto 934.00 28. Mario Cipollini (Ita) Saeco-Valli&Valli 931.00 29. Tom Steels (Bel) Mapei-Quick Step 925.50 30. Sergio Barbero (Ita) Lampre-Daikin 904.00 30. Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Saeco-Valli&Valli 904.00 32. Angel Luis Casero Moreno (Esp) Festina 870.00 33. Michele Bartoli (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step 865.00 34. Serhiy Honchar (Ukr) Liquigas-Pata 848.00 35. Fernando Escartin Coti (Esp) Kelme-Costa Blanca 841.00 36. Erik Dekker (Ned) Rabobank 831.00 37. David Etxebarria Alkorta (Esp) ONCE-Deutsche Bank 815.00 38. Marco Pantani (Ita) Mercatone Uno 814.00 39. Laurent Dufaux (Sui) Saeco-Valli&Valli 811.00 40. George Hincapie (Usa) US Postal Service 810.00 41. Dmitri Konyshev (Rus) Fassa Bortolo 809.00 42. Giuliano Figueras (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step 780.00 43. Marco Serpellini (Ita) Lampre-Daikin 774.00 44. Ivan Gotti (Ita) Team Polti 754.00 45. Marc Wauters (Bel) Rabobank 750.00 46. Manuel Beltran Martinez (Esp) Mapei-Quick Step 749.00 47. François Simon (Fra) Bonjour-Toupargel 741.00 48. Jean-Cyril Robin (Fra) Bonjour-Toupargel 726.00 49. Beat Zberg (Sui) Rabobank 713.00 50. Maarten Den Bakker (Ned) Rabobank 711.00 51. Lars Michaelsen (Den) Francaise des Jeux 703.00 52. Laurent Brochard (Fra) Jean Delatour 702.00 53. Pavel Tonkov (Rus) Mapei-Quick Step 688.00 53. Marco Velo (Ita) Mercatone Uno 688.00 55. Alberto Elli (Ita) Telekom 672.00 56. Jens Voigt (Ger) Crédite Agricole 671.50 57. Leonardo Piepoli (Ita) Banesto 668.00 58. Stéphane Heulot (Fra) Francaise des Jeux 663.00 59. Fabrizio Guidi (Ita) Francaise des Jeux 646.00 60. Raimondas Rumsas (Ltu) Fassa Bortolo 641.00 61. Andrea Tafi (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step 635.00 62. Christophe Moreau (Fra) Festina 634.00 63. Tristan Hoffman (Ned) Memorycard-Jack&Jones 630.00 64. Leon Van Bon (Ned) Rabobank 629.00 65. Roberto Sgambelluri (Ita) Cantina Tollo 620.00 66. Oscar Freire Gomez (Esp) Mapei-Quick Step 592.00 67. Massimo Donati (Ita) Vini Caldirola-Sidermec 589.00 68. Gabriele Missaglia (Ita) Lampre-Daikin 588.00 69. Zbigniew Spruch (Pol) Lampre-Daikin 578.00 70. Mario Aerts (Bel) Lotto-Adecco 577.00 71. Richard Virenque (Fra) Team Polti 571.00 72. Jonathan Vaughters (Usa) Crédite Agricole 566.00 73. Juan Carlos Dominguez Dominguez (Esp) Vitalicio Seguros 565.00 74. Marc Streel (Bel) Ville de Charleroi 553.00 75. Dario Frigo (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 550.00 76. Gianni Faresin (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step 549.00 77. Robbie McEwen (Aus) Farm Frites 546.00 78. José Alberto Martinez Trinidad (Esp) Euskaltel-Euskadi 545.00 79. Danilo Di Luca (Ita) Cantina Tollo 520.00 80. Serguei Ivanov (Rus) Farm Frites 519.00 81. Marcel Wust (Ger) Festina 510.00 82. Nicolay Bo Larsen (Den) Memorycard-Jack&Jones 499.00 83. Francisco Mancebo Perez (Esp) Banesto 495.00 84. Mikel Zarrabeitia Uranga (Esp) ONCE-Deutsche Bank 492.00 85. Servais Knaven (Ned) Farm Frites 490.50 86. Michael Blaudzun (Den) Memorycard-Jack&Jones 487.00 86. Roberto Laiseka Jaio (Esp) Euskaltel-Euskadi 487.00 86. Unai Osa Eizaguirre (Esp) Banesto 487.00 89. Gilles Maignan (Fra) Ag2R Prevoyance 482.50 90. Niki Aebersold (Sui) Rabobank 478.00 90. Lauri Aus (Est) Ag2R Prevoyance 478.00 92. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Mercatone Uno 476.00 93. Jo Planckaert (Bel) Cofidis 468.50 94. Martin Rittsel (Swe) Memorycard-Jack&Jones 465.80 95. Christopher Boardman (Gbr) Crédite Agricole 463.50 96. Udo Bölts (Ger) Telekom 461.00 96. Salvatore Commesso (Ita) Saeco-Valli&Valli 461.00 98. Andrei Teteriouk (Kaz) 456.00 99. Niklas Axelsson (Swe) Panaria-Gaerne 452.00 100. Steffen Wesemann (Ger) Telekom 448.00 Teams GS 1 1. Mapei - Quick Step 997.00 2. Team Deutsche Telekom 984.00 3. Ag2R Prevoyance 748.00 4. Kelme - Costa Blanca 717.00 5. O.N.C.E. - Deutsche Bank 633.75 6. Fassa Bortolo 580.00 7. Cofidis, Le Credit Par Telephone 557.00 8. Banesto 472.00 9. Memorycard - Jack & Jones 420.00 10. Rabobank 414.00 11. La Francaise Des Jeux 412.00 12. Farm Frites 400.00 13. Lotto - Adecco 336.00 14. Vitalicio Seguros - Grupo Generali 312.00 15. Liquigas - Pata 234.00 16. Vini Caldirola - Sidermec 205.00 17. US Postal Service 202.00 18. Lampre - Daikin 179.00 19. Festina 177.00 20. Saeco Macchine Per Caffe - Valli & Valli 148.00 21. Team Polti 100.00 22. Mercatone Uno - Albacom 92.00 Teams GS 2 1. Crédit Agricole 565.00 2. Jean Delatour 414.00 3. Bonjour 235.00 4. Euskaltel - Euskadi 227.00 5. Team Gerolsteiner 226.00 6. Mercury Cycling Team 175.00 7. Uniao Ciclista Da Maia / MSS 161.00 8. Cantina Tollo 130.00 9. Linda Mccartney Racing Team 109.00 10. Bigmat Auber 93 100.00 11. Amica Chips - Tacconi Sport 93.00 12. Collstrop - De Federale Verzekeringen 91.00 13. LA - Pecol 78.00 14. Alexia Alluminio 76.00 15. Mobilvetta Design / Rossin 71.00 16. Ceramica Panaria - Gaerne 70.00 17. Aguardiente Nectar - Selle Italia 66.00 18. Alessio Sgm 64.00 19. Vlaanderen 2002 - Eddy Merckx 48.00 20. Porta Da Ravessa 40.00 21. Palmans - Ideal 38.00 21. Team Colpack 38.00 23. Team Fakta 36.00 24. Saturn Cycling Team 34.00 25. Flanders - Prefetex 33.00 26. Team Cologne 32.00 27. Bankgiroloterij - Batavus 24.00 28. Besson Chaussures 22.00 29. Ville De Charleroi - New Systems 20.00 30. Navigators Cycling Team 10.00 31. Fuenlabrada 8.00 32. Team Nürnberger 6.00 33. Tönissteiner - Colnago 5.00 Nations: 1. Italy 10,794.00 2. Spain 9,009.75 3. Belgium 8,781.50 4. France 7,884.25 5. Netherlands 6,869.50 6. Switzerland 6,821.00 7. Germany 6,055.30 8. USA 4,756.00 9. Denmark 3,972.00 10. Russia 3,589.00 11. Kazakhstan 2,368.50 12. Poland 2,235.00 13. Latvia 2,213.50 14. Estonia 2,141.00 15. Australia 1,783.33 16. Sweden 1,755.80 17. Great Britain 1,616.50 18. Austria 1,562.00 19. Ukraine 1,511.00 20. Colombia 1,331.00 21. Lithuania 1,321.00 22. Czech Republic 1,248.00 23. Slovenia 1,154.50 24. Portugal 1,092.00 25. Norway 696.80 26. Venezuela 646.00 27. Canada 598.00 28. New Zealand 536.00 29. South Africa 423.00 30. Slovakia 348.00 31. Cuba 248.00 32. Mexico 240.00 33. Luxembourg 234.00 34. Finland 225.00 35. Moldavia 224.50 36. Yugoslavia 168.00 37. Egypt 162.00 37. Islamic Republic Iran 162.00 39. Chile 155.00 40. Ireland 149.00Women 1. Anna Wilson (Aus) Saturn 789.00 2. Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger) 708.00 3. Diana Ziliute (Ltu) Acca Due O-Lorena Camiche 486.00 4. Edita Pucinskaite (Ltu) Alfa Lum 470.00 5. Tracey Gaudry (Aus) Timex 386.00 6. Petra Rossner (Ger) Saturn 330.00 7. Zoulfia Zabirova (Rus) Acca Due O-Lorena Camiche 309.00 8. Tatiana Stiajkina (Ukr) Acca Due O-Lorena Camiche 256.00 9. Mirjam Melchers (Ned) 228.00 10. Lyne Bessette (Can) Saturn 218.00 11. Joane Somarriba Arrola (Esp) Alfa Lum 207.00 12. Jeannie Longo-ciprelli (Fra) 205.00 13. Judith Arndt (Ger) 204.00 14. Gunn-Rita Dahle (Nor) 188.00 15. Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel (Ned) Farm Frites-Hartol 184.00 16. Rasa Polikeviciute (Ltu) Acca Due O-Lorena Camiche 181.00 17. Mari Holden (Usa) Timex 177.00 18. Valentina Polkhanova (Rus) EdilSavino 174.00 19. Daniela Veronesi (Smr) Alfa Lum 160.00 20. Svetlana Boubnenkova (Rus) Edil Savino 155.00 21. Heidi Van De Vijver (Bel) Vlaanderen 2002 151.00 22. Sara Felloni (Ita) Alfa Lum 143.00 23. Roberta Bonanomi (Ita) Gas Sport Team 141.00 24. Chantal Beltman (Ned) 129.00 25. Catherine Marsal (Fra) Edil Savino 123.00 26. Gabriella Pregnolato (Ita) Gas Sport Team 122.00 27. Fabiana Luperini (Ita) 121.00 28. Pia Sundstedt (Fin) Gas Sport Team 117.00 29. Barbara Heeb (Sui) 111.00 30. Jolanta Polikeviciute (Ltu) Acca Due O-Lorena Camiche 102.00 31. Vera Hohlfeld (Ger) Acca Due O-Lorena Camiche 98.00 32. Susy Pryde (Nzl) Saturn 97.00 33. Geneviève Jeanson (Can) 95.00 34. Zinaida Stahurskaya (Blr) Michela Fanini Record Rox 93.00 35. Cindy Pieters (Bel) Vlaandern 2002 91.00 36. Vanja Vonckx (Bel) Vlaandern 2002 89.00 37. Valeria Cappellotto (Ita) Gas Sport Team 88.00 37. Viola Müller-paulitz (Ger) 88.00 39. Elisabeth Vink (Ned) 85.00 40. Yvonne Mcgregor (Gbr) 80.00 41. Rikke Sandhoj Olsen (Den) Farm Frites-Hartol 79.00 42. Marion Clignet (Fra) Acca Due O-Lorena Camiche 77.00 42. Karen Dunne (Usa) Team Elita 77.00 44. Lenka Ilavska (Svk) 75.00 44. Ina Teutenberg (Ger) 75.00 46. Anne Samplonius (Can) 73.00 47. Nicole Brändli (Sui) 72.00 48. Mirella Van Melis (Ned) 66.00 49. Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) Farm Frites-Hartol 64.00 50. Arenda Grimberg (Ned) 63.00 Nations: 1. Germany 1,428 2. Australia 1,323 3. Lithuania 1,271 4. Russia 703 5. Netherlands 692 6. Italy 615 7. France 497 8. Canada 473 9. USA 383 10. Ukraine 366 Trade teams: 1. Saturn Cycling Team 1,434 2. Acca Due O - Lorena Camicie 1,232 3. Team Alfa Lum R.S.M. 980 4. Timex Women's Professional Cycling Team 606 5. Edilsavino 492 6. Gas Sport Team 468 7. Team Farm Frites - Hartol 337 8. Vlaanderen 2002 - Ladies Team 332 9. S.C. Michela Fanini Record Rox 174 10. Team Elita 126
Tirreno-Adriatico casualtiesItalian rider, Danilo di Luca (Cantina Tollo) was forced to withdraw from Tirreno-Adriatico yesterday, after an intestinal virus wiped him out after the time trial stage at Ascoli Pinceno on Sunday. DI Luca abandoned at km 44 yesterday, along with Biaggio Conte (Saeco) and Roberto Petito (Fassa Bortolo) who were all suffering internal problems and fever. DI Luca was frustrated at having to leave the race at a critical time: "You can't say that this is at a fortunate time," he said to La Gazzetta dello Sport. "What makes me more angry is that I'm in great shape, and would have figured in these final stages. Now I will rest two days, then Thursday I will take a long training ride near San Remo." Cantina Tollo also lost Gentili and Baronti with similar problems, but Gabriele Colombo managed to continue after a very bad night. Paolo Bettini (Mapei) is suffering as well. He is currently on antibiotics for the 'flu, but is soldiering on in the race. He had intended on making Sunday's time trial as his major goal, but was unable to ride at his best. The following day, he lost over 13 minutes to the winner and teammate, Oscar Freire. According to team management, this was because he pushed things too much: "We told him to be calm, not to get tired even in the time trial, as he was on a course of antibiotics," said Fabrizio Fabbri. However, he is still likely to ride in Milan - San Remo. Other riders of note to withdraw include Frank Hoj (FdJ), Robbie McEwen (must rest for two weeks), Geert van Bondt (Farm Frites), Tayeb Braikia and Matt Stephens (Linda McCartney), Ivan Quaranta, Corrado Serina, and Sergei Lelekin (Mobilvetta), Luca Cei (Panaria-Gaerne), and Gianluca Bortolami (Vini Caldirola). Jan Svorada of Lampre was eliminated in the time cut. Blood tests Yesterday, the UCI carried out the first blood tests in the Tirreno-Adriatico on 34 riders. Seven teams were called upon: Française Des Jeux, Liquigas-Pata, Mobilvetta-Rossin, Lampre-Daikin, Panaria-Gaerne, Vitalicio Seguros and Festina. All were under the allowed 50% hematocrit rule.
Freire the new Poblet?Arguably Spain's best sprinter, Miguel Poblet believes that he has found a successor in young Oscar Freire. Poblet was the only Spanish rider to win Milan San Remo (in 1957 and 1959), and was also one of the few Spaniards to ever win a classic. He says that Freire is well equipped to win on Saturday, as he "has prepared himself very conscientiously, demonstrating that he gained the World Championships on his own merits. Oscar is a real champion and I like his form at the moment," commented Poblet. Freire, at 1.71 m and 64 kilos is lightly built for a sprinter but is certainly powerful. In his win over Peter van Petegem yesterday, he had no trouble turning the big gear to win. He said afterwards that his plan was to work with Bartoli, who was to attack in the last kilometer while Freire took care of the sprint. It clearly paid off, and Freire is now taking things easy in the final stages of Tirreno-Adriatico, as he prepares himself for Saturday.
Jaan over Jan?With the withdrawal of a certain Jan Ullrich from this year's Milan San Remo, there is the strong possibility that another 'Jan' (or Jaan) may make his mark on the race. Estonian Jaan Kirsipuu, who rides for the Ag2R Prevoyance team will make his debut in the classic this year. Despite being 30 years old, the sprinter has never ridden "La Primavera" but could well pull off a win this Saturday given that he has been in such good form already this year (6 wins to date). Although he pulled out of Paris-Nice last week, this was not anything serious according to team boss, Vincent Lavenu. He just needed some time to recuperate and get that sprinters "edge" back. The key will be the 240 meter Cipressa, which comes with 25 kilometers to go. If Kirsipuu can survive this climb in good position, then he should manage the Poggio and be able to set up for the final sprint into San Remo. Tchmil-like maneuvers aside, of course! He has good support from his team (compatriot Lauri Aus managed fifth last year), and will probably be the closest threat to Zabel and Freire this time, should the race come down to a mass sprint. Of course, there is always the chance that someone will escape on the Poggio, but this sort of successful move has been absent from the race in very recent years, as the group is often too large at the end.
Planckaert preparesCofidis rider, Jo Planckaert is another looking forward to Milan San Remo on Saturday. He has been training lightly this week, but will contest the race in Nokere today, as a "condition test". "Before and after the race, I will train, as I need the kilometers to have the condition at the end of San Remo," he said. What about his captain, Frank Vandenbroucke? "I don't think that Frank will ride in Nokere, as he is not yet ready. I'm not sure if Milan - Remo is a possibility. To the outside world, he says nothing, but I will talk to him. VDB will not go to Italy for a training ride, I'm sure."
Tyler-Sharman misses planeAustralian sports officials were trying to contact track cyclist Lucy Tyler-Sharman today after she failed to board a flight to Australia from the United States. She was meant to arrive in Sydney today in order to prepare for the national track championships next week, but did not show, according to AAP. The 3000 metre pursuit specialist is one of the favourites for the Olympic team this year, but will have to qualify as do the rest of the squad. The national championships, despite their relatively early positioning in the calendar, are an important part of the selection criteria. "We're disappointed she didn't notify us - that flight was paid for out of track cycling's budget," said Cycling Australia high performance manager Michael Flynn, who said that they had tried to contact her via e-mail when they found out. Although Tyler-Sharman left Australia last year for Miami, she indicated one month ago to the Australian Sports Commission that she wanted to be part of the Australian team at the Olympics. The commission agreed to pay her airfare back although there were some concerns within Cycling Australia that a scenario such as this would arise. As yet, Tyler-Sharman has been unavailable for comment.
GP Telekom starts todayThe Portuguese stage race, "Grand Prix Telekom" is due to start today, March 15. It runs for four days and over as many stages: Oeiras to Marinha Grande, Marinha Grande to Pombal, Pombal to Covilja, and concludes with an individual time trial from Tortosendo to Covilha. Many of the Spanish and Portuguese teams will be there that contested the recently completed Volta ao Algarve, won by Alex Zülle.
Pantani races againMarco Pantani has announced that he will ride in the five day stage race, the "Memorial Mario Cecchi Gori" next week. It runs from March 22 to 26, and will start from Nocera Umbra to Chianciano (146 km). The stage will be dedicated to victims of earthquake.
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