Second edition news for March 15, 2000

Tyler-Sharman to US?

By Jessica Aldred

Cycling Australia has confirmed that former World Champion, Lucy Tyler-Sharman has officially sought clearance from them in order to race for the USA at the Sydney Olympics. An uncertain and lengthy procedure is in store for Tyler-Sharman, who must gain approval from both Australian and US national federations, the Australian and US Olympic Committees and the UCI, the international cycling union if she is to race for the US team.

Cyclingnews understands that Cycling Australia will demand up to $AU 60,000 compensation from Tyler-Sharman or USA Cycling before they agree to give her clearance to race for the USA at the Olympics. According to Ray Godkin, head of CA, the rules state that if a rider has represented Australia in a World Championships, then they are unable to compete for another country for the next three years. Tyler-Sharman did so in 1999, therefore she would have to wait until 2002 before changing countries.

Australian sports officials are still trying to contact Tyler-Sharman after she failed to board a pre-booked flight to Australia earlier this week. The travel was funded by a cycling and Olympic representative board on the condition that she returned for the national championships to qualify for Olympic selection.

This funding was yesterday withdrawn, according to a press release by Cycling Australia, "in the absence of any explanation about her current intentions". Before her application for official clearance, Tyler-Sharman's chances of racing for Australia were already slim, and are now fading beyond all hope. Inclusion in the Olympic squad depended on her willingness to satisfy conditions set by CA and return to Australia for this week's national titles. The national championships, despite their relatively early positioning in the calendar, are an important part of the Olympic selection criteria.

"If she does not compete in the nationals it will be very difficult for the selectors to consider her as two other athletes have also met the qualifying time," said Graham Fredericks, CA's chief executive officer. He was referring to Alayna Burns and Kathy Watt, Tyler-Sharman's two main rivals, who both went under the qualifying time of 3.38 recently, and will compete in Sydney next week.

Fredericks believes Tyler-Sharman may have excluded herself due to her latest actions, regardless of her times over the next few months.

"She has reduced her chances of any funding support," Fredericks said. "We have previously written to her to advise that she must attend the nationals to be considered and also to meet with officials to determine issues regarding her involvement in the program and/or funding assistance if she is included in the team," he said.

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.

Rich Wanninger, USA Cycling communications director, confirmed that Tyler-Sharman has discussed the option with USA Cycling. "However, she has not been released by the Australia Cycling Federation, so nothing can be done," he said. As yet, Tyler-Sharman has been unavailable for comment.

Van Petegem's chances

Farm Frites rider, Peter van Petegem (Bel) rates himself a chance in this Saturday's Milan-San Remo. The rider who is more suited to the Belgian classics says that he can pull off a "Gabriele Colombo" - referring to when the Italian rider won in the event in 1996. His victory in last year's Ronde Van Vlaanderen helped give him the confidence to attack the big one day classics without fear, and "La Primavera" is no exception.

He admits though that the best way he can win is through a solo effort, a la Colombo (or even Tchmil), or from being with a small group at the end. With several of the favourites not there this year, Van Petegem has a chance although he might require more than a little good fortune.

He almost won a stage in the Tirreno-Adriatico and is a fairly good nick. He will at least have a team dedicated to working for him. In the stronger teams such as Mapei or ONCE, there is no set leader - possibly a disadvantage, although if something happens to Van Petegem, then the team has lost.

He has trained hard since November for this season, and has as his big goal a repeat of the 1999 Ronde Van Vlaanderen victory. He believes that the October-November training is key to a good early season. The man from Brakel also enjoys chatting with the locals at the cafe, over a Leffe beer or three. However he does not indulge too much if he wants to keep on top of things, so to speak. A dark horse for Milan-San Remo, but defintely worth a mention.

The Farm Frites-team for Milan San Remo is: Geert van Bondt, Sergei Ivanov, Andreas Klier, Servais Knaven, Peter van Petegem, Michel Lafis, Glen Magnusson and Wim Vansevenant.

Tour de Snowy wins major award

The recently completed Tour de Snowy, regarded as one of the premier women's cycling tours in the world, was awarded with the Best Sporting Event in New South Wales for 1999 at a dinner staged by the NSW Sports Federation at Homebush last night.

The Tour de Snowy, which was staged for the first occasion in April 1998, was initiated by the Premier, Bob Carr MP, as a way of promoting the Snowy Region following the Thredbo landslide disaster. Race promoter Phill Bates (AM) was asked to stage the event, who opted for an international flavour after discussing it with UCI President Hein Verbruggen and former National Women's Cycling coach Andrew Logan. It was sponsored by the Snowy Mountains Hyrdo Electric Authority, Tourism NSW, Dept. of Sport and Recreation, Snowy Mountains Tourism, various regional councils, Phill Bates Sports Promotions and many other regional sponsors.

The 1999 event was contested by 98 riders, two thirds of whom were internationals, with the eventual winner being Australian Tracey Gaudry. It recieved extensive coverage on four national television networks, as well as the internet. 80 countries viewed highlights of the event, with an estimated audience of 300 million people.

The 2000 event was also extremely successful from a sporting point of view, and many of the 78 riders who participated indicated that they would be back next year. It was a key part of Anna Wilson's defence of her round one World Cup title, and she stated this beforehand. Other top cyclists, such as New Zealand's Jacinta Coleman, USA's Mari Holden and Dede Demet supported this view.

In addition, cycling in NSW recieved another award with Junior World Champion, Ben Kersten (1,000 m TT) claiming Best Junior Athlete of 1999. Kersten won the title in 1998, and successfully defended it in Athens last year, as well as setting a World Record in Perth in March 1999. He also was a member of the team that won the World Olympic Sprint title taking his tally to three World Junior championships.

USA Cycling junior track SuperCamp

The governing body of cycling in the USA have announced the inaugural junior track cycling SuperCamp at the Superdrome in Frisco, Texas. The camp, which is part of a national development program by USA cycling will be held from May 10-14.

According to development manager, David Myer-Oakes, It is specifically for track athletes as well as road athletes who wish to ride on the track. Athletes at the camp will receive guidance from national team coaches in the sprint and endurance disciplines. Activities at the camp include identification events, classroom racing and physiological testing. Interested parties should contact David Mayer-Oakes at 719/578-4845