News for November 27, 2000
Tolhoek retiresLast Saturday, 35 year old Dutch MTB-er Patrick Tolhoek (Be One) rode his last race in his home town of Yerseke. The race was part of the Zeeland ATB Cup, and many top professionals were present, including Jan Weevers, Thijs Al, Roel Paulissen and Corine Dorland. Filip Meirhaege and Bas van Dooren didn't ride because of illness but Van Dooren came along to fire the starting gun. Not completely unexpectedly, Patrick Tolhoek won in front of Jan Weevers and Roel Paulissen. "It's a fantastic parting. So many people came to Yerseke, from Zeeland but also from outside Zeeland," said Tolhoek. Tolhoek became began as pro on the road in 1988 but had a lot of bad luck. In his first year as pro he developed pains in his back and left leg. The pain didn't go away and in 1996 it became clear what it was: a compressed artery in his groin. In June 1997, he was one of the first people in the Netherlands who was operated on for this and after that he started riding his mountain bike. Bio and palmares
Name: Patrick Tolhoek Important results Road 1988 (Roland-Skala): 1989 (Superconfex): 1990 (Buckler): 1991 (Buckler): 1996: 1998: MTB 1995: 1996 (VSB-Batavus): 1998 (Be One): 1999 (Be One): 2000 (Be One): Report courtesy of Reinier Meijer Moser gets readyFrancesco Moser will formally introduce his candidacy for the presidency of the Italian Cycling Federation (FCI) on Tuesday in Milan. The former world champion, Giro d'Italia winner, and hour record holder, will be able to count on the support of several top cyclists: Ercole Baldini, Vittorio Adorni, Felice Gimondi, Gianni Bugno, Maurizio Fondriest, and Antonella Bellutti. Moser also has the support of national federation councilman, Cailotto Batiste. Gaudry's plansAustralian cyclist, Tracey Gaudry was not on the list of the new Saturn-Timex merged team when it was announced recently, prompting questions from many as to her future next season. After a long 2000 campaign, Gaudry has taken some time off the bike while she considers her future, which will probably see her compete less overseas. Currently she is back in training in order to race over the Australian summer, but has still not decided on whether to race her fourth season as a pro. Her health problems and time spent away from her husband Tony this year have contributed to her hesitancy, although she is not considering retirement just yet.
Van der Poel fallsDutch cyclocross legend, Adri Van der has fallen during a training ride on his mountain bike today. He tore his kidney and broke his rib and will have to stay in intensive care in the Brasschaat hospital at least until Tuesday morning. Adri was riding his mountain bike with his two sons, and fell after showing his kids how to jump over a tree trunk. After the fall he went home with his kids, but he was in such pain that his wife took him to hospital. Van der Poel ended his career last February after being a professional rider for more than 20 years.
Indoor Cycling World'sGermany won another gold and silver medal in indoor cycling in Böblingen on the weekend, taking out the men's pairs artistic cycling in front of 4000 people. Stefan Raaf and Michael Roth scored 323.39 points to beat their teammates, Michael and Heiko Rauch, continuing a six year dominance in this particular category by the two teams. In third place were Czechs, David Blasek and Martin Digon (285.57 points).
Team newsJazztel-Costa del Almeria takes shapeSpanish division II team, Jazztel-Costa del Almeria is almost finalised for 2001, but there are still a few names to sort out. Three Benfica riders, Jose Antonio Garrido, Oscar Lopez Uriarte and Quintino Rodrigues are likely to join the team, after Benfica effectively stopped paying them mid-way through the 2000 season. Garrido spoke with Jazztel director Miguel Moreno soon after he realised Benfica was on the ropes, and was assured that he would have a spot. Lopez Uriarte may retire if he doesn't get a place in Jazztel, but Quintino Rodrigues looks quite promising. In addition, neo-pro's Manuel Calvente and Jose Luis Martinez are "interesting" according to Moreno, but "nothing is signed yet." There was the chance that Portuguese Vitor Gamito would sign, but Jazztel doesn't have a great deal of interest in Portugal. However, "another rider who interests me is Pedro Diaz Lobato (Relax-Fuenlabrada)," added Moreno. Finally, former Euskaltel rider Aitor Kintana, is a potential Jazztel recruit. Kintana won a stage of the Tour de l'Avenir this year, and signed a preliminary contract with the now defunct Benfica team. Other comings and goingsFormer World Military Champion, Grégory Vollet (EC Boucles de la Marne) will sign a one year contract with second division St Quentin-OKTOS for next season. He will ride on the road for the first part of the season but will switch to MTB for the latter half. Two Frenchwomen, Severine Desbouys and Cathy Marsal, will not be joining Marino Amadori's GAS Sport team next season, despite earlier indications that they would sign. Ghita and Chantal Beltman are likely to be riding for the Belgian Vlaanderen 2002 team next year, where they will accompany their compatriot Debby Mansveld (Farm Frites). Arenda Grimberg has still not decided whether to follow Mirjam Melchers and Jean Paul Van Poppel to Acca Due O next year. Belgian Frank Corvers (Memory Card) signed a contract for 1 year with the Ville de Charleoi team. Corvers teamed with Adriano Baffi during the Gent Six, where he finished 3rd. Belgian team Landbouwkrediet (Tönnissteiner-Colnago) will have neo-pro Nico Weynants on their roster next season. 23 year old Rinaldo Nocentini (Ita) has re-signed with Mapei Courtesy of velomania/cycling4all
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