News for May 5, 2000

53rd Peace Race

The nine day, ten stage Peace Race/Course de la Paix/Friedensfarht/Wyscig Pokoju begins today in Hannover, Germany with a 177 kilometre road stage. Although it is only given a 2.4 category rating by the UCI, the peace race is one of the better known stage races in Europe. Starting shortly after World War II, it is generally raced through Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic (now), although it has crossed into several other European nations during its 53 year history.

This year, there will be four stages in Germany, followed by three in Poland and three in the Czech Republic. It finishes in Prague on May 13 with a 170 kilometre stage. 132 riders will start from 22 teams, inlcuding last year's winner Steffen Wesemann from Telekom. Wesemann will be trying to win the race for an unprecedented 5th time and he certainly has the form - and the team - to do so. Wesemann's teammate, Andreas Klöden is problably his biggest threat for the overall, although it's likely that Telekom would be happy with a victory either way.

The only other rider that could qualify for this record is 35 year old Uwe Ampler, riding for the Bunte Berte Leipzig team this year. Ampler recently returned to competition after a six month ban for drugs and has only completed half a race (the GP Weltour in Poland) since September.

The first stage consists of four 44.3 kilometre circuits starting and finishing in Hannover with one climb per lap of the Gehrdener mountain. This stage will also mark the 100,000th kilometre of the race, also known as the "Tour de France of the East".

Shortly after the stage finish, the presentation of the yellow jersey will be made by ice skating legend, Katarina Witt.

Giro? Pantani says no

As expected after his lengthy absence from competition, Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) today made it officially known that he wouldn't be starting in the Giro d'Italia this year. He has raced just two days since he was thrown out of last year's Giro and has withdrawn from competition for some time.

He was on his way to Ferrara for questioning by prosecutor Soprani when he was asked by journalists about the rumours that his name was on the start list. He replied, "it isn't true. If I'm on the start list, it's only because someone hopes I will start."

However, a Tour start is a possibility although it is very much in the air. "I still do not know when I will return to racing," he said after being questioned for three hours in court. "I will re-start when my state of mind is optimal. I will not promise anything because it would be sad not to be able to keep them. I am taking a rest in order to train for my re-entry".

For the Tour de France? "It could happen... ", he added.

Bartoli coming back

Michele Bartoli (Mapei) is another who has been out of the major competitions recently as he struggles to recuperate from his knee injury. However, reports from his team say that he is currently training at home in Tuscany for the summer races. He is feeling well and getting stronger by the day.

His next race will most likely be the category 2.3 Tour of Germany, starting Friday, May 26.

Matt De Canio for the Giro?

Doubtful according to him and the Linda McCartney team management. However, the team's latest signing has ridden quite well since his debut a few weeks ago in the Tour of the Vendee and Paris-Camembert. Although he started in Europe this year with the US National Squad, Matt De Canio gained the attention of the Linda McCartney's while he was racing in Belgium. U23 talent spotter, Noel de Jonckheere recommended him to Sean Yates and he was signed shortly afterwards.

He raced in Europe in 1998 in Italy, but thought that that was his only chance. With fields of up to 400 riders, he could be excused for being a little disillusioned when he came back without too many good results. However, he persevered back home, and joined the US National team this year. The result? A pro contract with an up and coming English speaking team - a vital morale and career booster for him.

He impressed the team in his first few races, by getting in breaks and showing the colours amongst the best seasoned pro's. However, he feels that he would be somewhat "under raced" with respect to starting the Giro d'Italia, and this is backed up by their press officer, John Deering who said so in an interview with Blue Ridge Outdoor Magazine.

"I think that the Giro would be too long for him in his current low-raced condition. Both the daily stage distances and the length of the race make it difficult to select him. We would prefer him to go to the Tour of Serbia with our development squad to get the required miles in, then look to make a real impact in the Summer and Autumn races."

Deering and the other members of staff have been impressed by De Canio's performance in his short time with the team, and have certainly considered re-signing him for 2001 should he keep to his current level.

De Canio used his European experience to his advantage recently when he won his Collegiate Conference Championships back in Virginia. "I won the road race by four minutes, and then we won the team time-trial too," he said. "It was a little easier than Paris-Camembert!"

He will be contesting the National Collegiate Championships next weekend, and then settling back to watch his new teammates sweat through the Giro on TV.

Farm Frites sign Spinelli

Another young US rider, Justin Spinelli (20) has signed a contract with a European based squad. Spinelli will ride the rest of the season with Dutch team Farm Frites and will be a reserve for the Giro d'Italia.

Colnago awarded

Ernesto Colnago, a bike frame manufacturer, will be awarded today a "prize for professionality" by the Rotary Club of Italy. Mr Colnago is fairly well known in the industry.

Saturn men come home

US Cycling team Saturn have had five of their men racing in Europe for the past month. Chris Wherry, Michael Barry, Frank McCormack, Harm Jansen and Seth Pelusi have been fighting it out with the Dutch, Belgians and, most recently the Norwegians as they participated in the Ringerike Grand Prix. In this race, they were quite successful, placing riders in the top 10 on most days and coming 3rd and 5th in the final GC (Wherry and Barry). However, it was not all good news as Pelusi broke his collarbone after being involved in a crash. He'll be out of competition for at least four weeks.

There is plenty of racing on back home however, and the Saturn boys are looking forward to it in the coming months.

Perry Stone loses some

The man attempting to break his own ride around Australia record is getting closer but further away it seems, as his crew keep disappearing. He started on April 7 with seven crew members and two support vehicles but there are now only two left with one support car. A week ago, his masseuse Gene Schafer left due to ill health and caught a bus back to Perth, leaving 6 crew members to carry on the trip. However, since then, four more have quit leaving only his Crew Chief Mark Schwinkowski and Christy Frisken.

Mark is the sole person able to drive, which could make things tough for the final leg of the ride. Stone is still on schedule to smash his record of 42 days to circumnavigate the continent, and feels in good shape, both mentally and physically. He is now somewhere west of Katherine, and is looking for anyone willing to share the driving for the remainder of the trip to Perth.

Anyone interested should contact David Lewis on 08 93004750 or 0419813097 who will arrange a meeting point. A person capable of driving a 4WD would be the ideal candidate.