News for November 21, 2000
Ullrich and the GiroJan Ullrich has already started his plans for next year, which may include both the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France. However, in a recent interview on German TV he said, "We are still discussing the program for next year. If I were to ride the Giro, it would be as preparation for the Tour. But, if I miss the Tour of Germany (which clashes with the Giro) my fans will be disappointed, and I would not want this to happen." His number one goal is of course the Tour de France, "The coming edition of the Tour is harder again, but it's still my Tour," he said. Before that, he will take care of his weight. "It's most important that I work on my weight. I'm in South Africa for Christmas, but I will train there fanatically during the holidays."
Magné calls it quitsFrench sprinting great, Frederic Magné finished his career in L'Open des Nations that concluded on Sunday afternoon. Magné was part of the winning "France Bleu" team and was awarded with a trophy by Société du Tour de France president, Jean-Marie Leblanc, for having participated in all 10 editions of L'Open des Nations. Magné also received a golden bike from the French Vélo magazine in recognition of his career. L'Open des Nations will take place next year in Bordeaux as well, after it was moved there this year from the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy. The latter will host the "Open de Keirin" however, placing emphasis on this Japanese originated (but practiced worldwide) event. For more about the keirin, please refer to this article.
Beloki must stayJoseba Beloki will be riding with Festina next year, after his request to have his contract voided by the UCI was denied. Beloki had signed a preliminary five year agreement with the team, but this was later reduced to one after he had second thoughts. He then decided that he didn't want to ride for Festina at all and applied to the UCI for freedom to ride for another team.
Memory Card in troubleThe financial stocks of the Danish Memory Card IT company have taken a hammering in recent weeks, casting doubt on the future of the team. Newspaper Extra Bladet reports that the crisis is such that the current riders' December salaries are in danger of not being paid. "I can say that there are serious financial difficulties," said Memory Card spokesman Asger Jensby. "It will be a big challenge for the team to survive beyond January 1, 2001. The deficit is much larger than we believed." The team are actively seeking a new sponsor, to invest 15 million Danish Kroner ($US 1.8 million) to keep them afloat. Apart from the riders affected right now, there will undoubtedly be concerns for the team's biggest signing in 2001, Laurent Jalabert. Should the team fold, then Jalabert will be hard pressed to find a sponsor for next year willing or able to pay his salary.
More on the US pro team
Some more details have emerged regarding Greg Lemond and Eddie B's new professional US team, sponsored by Dell Computers. The team would start as division II, and would be managed by 40 year old Johan Lammerts, winner of the Ronde van Vlaanderen in 1984 and current manager of the Giant Mountain Bike team. Lammerts rode with Lemond for several years, and they kept in contact after the end of their careers. "I knew Greg was busy with a new team. Originally the plans were for 2002, but now we will start one year earlier," said Lammerts on Dutch TV on Monday. "We will have about 12-15 riders. We are thinking of starting as a second division trade team in the first year. In our second year we want to become a top team in division I." As mentioned yesterday, the team may be a home for estranged Belgians, Peter van Petegem, Wim Vansevenant and Geert van Bondt, as well as some Polish riders and Dutchman Miquel van Kessel, although the talks with the latter were denied by Lammerts. However, Peter Van Petegem still has to arrange a buyout with Farm Frites before he can ride for a new team. The team tried to contract Frank Vandenbroucke, but that failed. In addition, Kevin Livingston is in the picture after he asked for a delay with his Linda McCartney contract. According to sources, Frankie Andreu will not be part of the team.
Lotto 2001Mountainbiker Roel Paulissen and Russian Gennadi Mikhailov have become the latest and last signings in team Lotto for next year. Paulissen is the team's sole mountain bike rider, and is also the second best Belgian after Filip Meirhaeghe in that discipline. Mikhailov, 26, comes to Lotto from Farm Frites where he rode this year. In total, there are 23 riders in the team. Team roster Current riders: Mario Aerts New riders: Jeroen Blijlevens (Polti) Seat-Kona 2001The Swiss elite/U23 team, Seat-Kona-Radio Argovia, have added four new riders to their elite roster for next season. Remo Amsler, Braulio Juanes, Michael Roth and Björn Schwengeler are the riders, two of whom are coming from the Kona factory team. Team roster Elite team Remo Amsler (New) Amateur team Christian Frommelt Christian (New) Courtesy of Velomedia Yates positiveMatthew Yates, a member of the New Zealand National team, has returned a positive drug test in the Tour de Hokkiado, after winning the final stage. Matthew has been riding semi-professionally in Belgium this season, and is the brother of U19 World Champion, Jeremy Yates. He has been given a 3 month suspension.
Australian Cyclist of the Year awardsOn Friday November 24, Cycling Australia will hold their annual awards ceremony in Melbourne's new Vodafone Arena. In an Olympic year, the competition is expected to be fierce, as a glance at the finalists will reveal. Those nominated have achieved top performances in world and national competition in track, road, MTB, Paralympic, Masters and BMX including victories in World Cup and World Championship competition, Olympic and Paralympic Games honours and outstanding international performances. Performances between November 1st 1999 and November 1st 2000 are included for judging. There are several categories, including media awards. The highest honour is the Australian Cyclist of the Year, the winner of which will receive the coveted Sir Hubert Opperman Medal. Finalists Female Track Cyclist of the Year Alayna Burns 1st 30km Points Race, World Cup #2, Cali, Colombia Michelle Ferris 2nd, 500m Time Trial, Sydney Olympic Games Lyndelle Higginson Sydney Olympian Male Track Cyclist of the Year Brett Aitken Gold medal Madison, Sydney Olympic Games Scott McGrory Gold medal Madison, Sydney Olympic Games Gary Neiwand Silver medal Keirin, Sydney Olympic Games Female Road Cyclist of the Year Juanita Feldhahn Sydney Olympian Tracey Gaudry Sydney Olympian Anna Wilson 1st Overall, HP Women's Challenge, Idaho, USA Male Road Cyclist of the Year Jamie Drew 1st 174km Stage 2, Tour de Langkawi, Baru Ferringhi, Malaysia (Australian Road Champion) 1st Overall Sea Otter Classic, USA David Mckenzie 1st Stage of Giro d'Italia, Italy Henk Vogels 1st 250km US Pro Championship, Philadelphia, USA Female Mountainbike Cyclist of the Year Anna Baylis Sydney Olympian Mary Grigson Sydney Olympian Katrina Miller 3rd Round 4 Dual World Cup Series, Mont Sainte Anne, Quebec, Canada Male Mountainbike Cyclist of the Year Wade Bootes World Champion MTB Dual Cadel Evans 1st World Cup XC Round 7, Canmore, Alberta, Canada Paul Rowney Sydney Olympian Female BMX Cyclist of the Year (* AA Elite 19yrs +) Tanya Bailey AA South Australian Classic Champion Overall winner Heidi Kempshall AA National Champion Natarsha Williams Elite Women's World Champion Male BMX Cyclist of the Year Wade Bootes 13 AA (USA) Pro Wins Warwick Stephenson 2 AA (USA) Pro wins Grant White Joint National AA Champion Masters Cyclist of the Year Vicki Birks 3 World Masters Track Championship gold medals Keith Oliver 2 World Championship gold medals Paralympic Cyclist of the Year Matt Gray Gold medal and world record Mixed 1km Time Trial LC1, Paralympic Games
Paul Lake Gold medal Mixed Team Olympic Sprint Paralympic Games Sarnya Parker World Record and Gold Medal Women's Tandem 1km Time Trial Paralympic
Games Junior Female Cyclist of the Year Track Kerrie Meares World Champion 500 time trial Road Kate Bates Silver medal world road championships time trial BMX Kerrie Lee Lucas 2nd Australian Championships MTB Clare Baxter National Jnr XC Champion Junior Male Cyclist of the Year Track Ryan Bayley World Jnr Sprint Champion Road Ashley Humbert Australian Junior Road Champion BMX Michael Robinson 1st Australian Championships MTB Michael Hannah 1st Junior Downhill Australian Championships Outstanding Cycling Event Tour de Snowy - NSW/ACT Phill Bates Sports Promotions Tour Down Under - SA Australian Major Events Herald Sun Tour - VIC Caribou Publications Awards will also be announced in the following categories: Qantas Coach of the Year |
