News for May 15, 2000

Giro d'Italia news

Cipo fined

Although he decided to honour the Pope and the Catholic jubilee yesterday by wearing a purple and white outfit, sprinter and current Maglia Rosa, Mario Cipollini (Saeco) was fined 125,000 Lira for "not wearing the correct team colours." His Saeco team were fined 310,000 Lira for the same reason, as well as 125,000 Lira for Cipollini not wearing a team number. It cost Cipo and his team over half a million Lira for the occasion, or about US$261.90.

Pirate delayed

Marco Pantani, who eventually finished 174th in the prologue yesterday, almost didn't make it as his lift was caught up in Rome's notorious traffic. His Mercatone Uno team manager, Manuela Ronchi was going to take the Pirate and some of his teammates with her to the start in the Vatican, but she became lost. Three riders decided that a taxi was the better option, while Pantani was saved by former spokesperson, Alexander Samek who received a call from Ronchi. He took Pantani to the start by 16:35, more than an hour before his time of departure.

Gualdi addition

Mirko Gualdi of the much talked about Mobilvetta Team had other cause for celebration yesterday, as he rode the prologue with a pink ribbon attached to his handlebar. The reason? On May 4, his wife had given birth to a baby girl, Letizia. Gualdi, winner of the amateur Giro in 1990, finished 8th in the stage, just seven seconds behind winner Jan Hruska (Vitalicio).

A minute's silence for Bartali

Before the start of today's stage 1 from Rome to Terracina, a minute's silence was observed by the riders in memory of Gino Bartali, who passed away a little over a week ago. The rider from Tuscany won the Giro three times and was 85 when he died. The entire peloton, caravan and gathered tifosi submitted to silence.

Brad McGee interview

Following is a selection of quotes from Brad McGee after his third place in the 4.6km prologue of the Giro d'Italia in Vatican, Italy. He also came 11th on stage 1 , 125 kilometres from Rome to Terracina and is currently sitting fourth overall at six seconds from the lead.

Q: Does this result count as your best road performance since turning pro in terms of he profile of the event?

A: You do not get much bigger than the Giro. Sure the Tour de France is probably another step higher in popularity but I bet the thousands of screaming Italians that lined the circuit yesterday will argue that to their last bowl of rissotto! Although I have won some pro races this 3rd place will go down as my best performance. Big event, big pressure and I pulled out a top performance.

Q: What was it like riding around Vatican?

A: Rough! Almost the entire circuit was light cobblestones or pavé. Both sides of the road were lined with people, very energetic people. I was surprised by the support they gave me....an Aussie riding for a French team in the Giro, and still they gave me a headache!

Q: Did you meet the Pope and if so what was the experience like?

A: The entire 'race' was invited to a presentation inside the Vatican, from the man himself. Very impressive but it also caused me some concern. It made me aware of how much the Italians would gain in racing before the Pope and that would would make my job a little more difficult.

Q: What is your plan for the Giro?

A: First 'Grande Tour' and the plan is to lay low and experience the whole thing away from too much pressure. We are the only French team and we are a young team. This race is a big step before the Tour de France, 2001, for many of us. I guess my ride in the prologue was not the best thing for keeping it 'low' but that is the kind of pressure one can handle...if not thrive on. Sure there will be some days that call for team riding in 'leading out' our sprinters but this is something I look forward to. Getting amongst the action during the closing kilometers of a stage is about as action packed and exciting as it can be. Your heart is in your mouth at 65km/h plus with 200 guys all pushing their way to the front.

Q: Are you looking forward to coming home for a break and then refocusing on the track for Sydney?

A: I miss Sydney and already the season has been long and demanding. A short break home after this race will be perfect - recharge the batteries before joining the Aussie Track Team in Germany at the end of June. I will be looking to grab a little of the Olympic 'feeling' to carry back with me and help charge up my preparation training over the remaining months towards 'les Jeux'.

Peace Race - the wrap up

The 53rd edition of the Peace Race concluded on the weekend, with victory to two Poles, who stubbornly held off the attacks of Telekom after Piotr Wadecki (Mroz) gained the jersey on Stage 4. The race has a huge following in the Eastern European nations, as it passes through East Germany, Poland finishing in the Czech Republic. However, it has only been given a 2.4 ranking by the UCI, despite being 9 days long and with some very challenging stages.

This will change next year, according to race director, Pavel Dolezel who will be awarded a 2.3 rating for his race. This will hopefully attract some more first division teams (there were only 4 this year), who will bring stronger teams.

The Telekom team, widely tipped to take out the win with Steffen Wesemann and Andreas Klöden, suffered from some poor tactics on stage four, when they did not chase down the threatening Poles in the break. Wesemann won two stages, and finished third overall and the team won a total of five. However, Wesemann would have readily given up his stage wins for a record fifth overall victory.

Farm Frites director, Henrik Redant indicated that they would like to be back next year, with more than a "second string" team. Also, overall race team manager Gerri van Gervan said that the roads raced over in Poland needed to be better, and so did the race judges. Finally, Catherine Gitton (assistant director of the Tour de France) showed up for the final two stages, commenting that there were no French teams in this race and offered her assistance to the race organisers.

The Tour de France of the East has a way to go, but it is moving upward.

Danes move closer to Tour

With another strong performance in a highly ranked French race, Danish team Memorycard Jack&Jones are doing everything right toward their goal of a Tour de France start. In the 2.1 Tour de l'Oise et de Picardie, the team with Michael Sanstřd and Martin Rittsel topped an impressive Scandinavian performance over the weekend, combined with Thor Hushovd's win in stage 1, and Pia Sundstedt's victory in the 1.9.1 Giro del Piave Femminile.

The final three Tour teams will be announced at the end of the month, and there will be tight competition for the places. Kelme, with Fernando Escartin have a strong case, as do the French teams Jean Delatour and Bonjour.

Importantly for the Danes, their win in this Societé du Tour de France organised race came about through very aggressive riding - a thing that all race organisers want. The other French teams will need to approach this in the coming weeks if they are to be invited, but nothing is a given, especially when it comes to the Tour.

Update from Belgium

Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club 1999 Road Champion, Kristjan Snorrasson, has returned to Belgium to tackle the hotly contested local kermesse circuit. The kermesse scene consists of street races of up to 120km over courses typically around 4-12 km per lap featuring cobble-stoned roads and fierce competition for good prize-money.

"Well my first race has been won and lost. I didn't win, but for those of you who followed my racing last year, the racing has either got easier or I am in better shape this year than last," he said after completing his first race. "Considering that the race was 113km long and raced at an average of 44km/h, it’s a fair bet that I am in better shape!"

Managing to stay in the front group of 15 before a mechanical mishap at 20km to go caused him to drop back to the second group where he gained the support of fellow Carnegie Caulfield rider Matthew Tuck who is also riding for the Kingsnorth team with "Snozza".

After some serious chasing the two groups merged as six riders skipped away to collect the bulk of the cash. "Snozza" and "Tucky" officially finished 26th and 27th, still sufficient to collect a few francs.

The plan this year is to take the season a little easier at first, last years experience providing the knowledge required to make the most of the visit. Could Snozza go the way of fellow 1999 Kingsnorth rider, Kirk O'Bee and ride for a division I pro team like US Postal? He'll have to win four or five classics first but anything is possible.

Courtesy of Kristjan Snorrasson via Mark Chadwick