News for November 19, 2000
Open des Nations: Ballanger's French finaleFrench sprinting great, Felicia Ballanger made her last racing appearance in France on Friday night at the Open des Nations in Bordeaux. Ballanger had announced her retirement from the sport shortly after the Olympic Games, and will make her last appearance at the 6 days of Noumea on November 24. On Friday night, she was victorious in a three way sprint match against Magali Faure and Celine Nivert, amidst several other top performances by French riders. After this, she was honoured by the organisers of the event as well as Bernard Hinault, who was on hand to present the flowers. Ballanger has dominated women's sprinting for the latter part of this decade, winning three Olympic titles and 10 World titles, unbeatable in any major competition. Following her retirement, she will take up an administrative position in the Vendéan Management of Youth and Sports department.
Too much 'cross?Elite level cyclocross in Europe may be spread a little thinly this weekend, with two major races on successive days. Today (Saturday), most of the riders contested the second round of the World Cup that was held in Tabor, Czech Republic. The World Cup is the major competition in cyclocross, but there is also the Superprestige trophy, a round of which is being held on Sunday in Sint Michielsgestel, the Netherlands. Most of the big names want to ride in both races, so they will have little time to recover before flying back to the Netherlands. There are four weekends this season that don't have important cyclocross races on: October 14-15, October 28-29, December 9-10 and January 27-28.
Marcel Wüst updateThings aren't going brilliantly for Marcel Wüst, who still awaits an operation to try and restore sight in his right eye. At the moment, he is on holidays in Australia, and sent us the following update: I'm in oz, back on the bike, in the gym and doing swimming in the pool as well. My fitness improves but my sight does not...still no vision in my right eye." My come back or not depends on how the next operation will improve my vision...but morale is good anyway... mw Deirdre Murphy retiresThe first ever Irish woman to compete in the Olympic road race, Deirdre Murphy, has retired from cycling aged 41. Murphy, World Masters champion in 1997, has raced for the past 8 years and achieved medals in several masters events, as well as coming fourth in the B World Championships in Uruguay last year. She is undecided on her future, but is hoping to remain in the sport. Maspes honouredThe recently deceased former legend of Italian track cycling, Antonio Maspes, has been honoured a month after his death. The Milan Vigorelli velodrome, which has seen some great exploits of track cycling over the years, will be renamed the Maspes-Vigorelli velodrome. The decision was made by president of the Italian Federation, Giancarlo Ceruti, who thought of the idea soon after his death.
Moser for president?Francesco Moser may become the next president of the Italian Cycling Federation (FCI) to replace Giancarlo Ceruti. Although he has indicated this desire in the past, he has never offered himself as a candidate. His supporters however urged him to do so and he acquiesced.
Dutch appointmentsThe following have been re-elected to coaching positions in the Koninklijke Nederlandse Wielrenunie (KNWU) for the next two years: Monique Knol (juniors), Gerrie Knetemann (road elite) and Peter Pieters (track).
Coach wantedThe Great Britain Cycling Team is looking for a coach for next season. The team that had such a strong year in 2000 is looking to build on that success and prepare for the future, including the Athens Olympics in 2004. The British Cycling Federation-World Class Performance Programme is looking for an experienced and qualified coach to work closely with a strong senior women's team who are ambitious for success on the road and track. The team already has a U23 European medallist and a World Champion, can you add to their tally? For an application pack please contact: Alison Livesey, BCF-WCPP Closing date for applications is 20th December 2000
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