News for November 3, 2000
First Union 2001: New event for San FranciscoBy Tim Maloney, cyclingnews.com correspondent Threshold Sports has announced the program for the upcoming First Union Series next June in Philadelphia, plus an exciting new international event in a joint venture with Disson Furst Partners in San Francisco. On Sunday, September 9th 2001, world class pro road racing will return to San Francisco for the first time since 1987, with the first US Open Grand Prix, an international 225 km circuit race on a testing 15 km circuit, including hilly terrain through downtown San Francisco and encompassing the Embarcadero, Presidio and North Beach. Disson Furst, the group sportif of the USPS team has promised a stellar turnout from their roster, with numerous 1st Division teams like Mapei-Quick Step, Domo and others already committed to race for the $100,000 purse. Threshold Sports Senior Event Director Robin Morton told cyclingnews that "The City Of San Francisco, Thom Weisel and Disson Furst and Threshold want to make the US Open Grand Prix in San Francisco the West Coast the equal of our First Union USPRO Championships in Philadelphia." The following weekend, September 16th 2001, many of the same international squads will travel to Houston for the BMC Software Tour of Houston, a 200 km circuit race on a 12 km course with a UCI 1.3 rating. The 2001 BMC Software Tour of Houston will be raced on flat terrain through downtown Houston, the Galleria area and surrounding suburbs, a great course for the 2000 winner Gord Fraser of Team Mercury to battle the best international sprinters for a win. Additional BMC Software events in San Jose, CA., Austin, Tx. and Arlington, Va. are on the US domestic calendar and are also open to international teams but offer no UCI points. On June 10th, it's the 16th edition of the First Union USPRO championship In Philadelphia; a 250 km UCI 1.2 event on the classic 22 km circuit with the Manayunk Wall. Up for grabs in front of the huge crowds in Center City Philly is a total of $127,000 in prizes, as well as the coveted USPRO championship title. Fred Rodriguez will be on hand with his new Domo teammates looking to keep his Stars & Stripes jersey for another year. The women will have another World Cup as well with the First Union Liberty Classic, a 110km race held concurrently with the USPRO championships. The lead up to Sunday's main event in Philly starts on Tuesday June 5, 2001 at the First Union Invitational in the heart of Amish country in Lancaster, PA; a fast, tough 180 km circuit race on a hard, Belgian kermesse style 12 km circuit with a UCI 1.3 ranking. Thursday June 7, 2001 has the ultra fast First Union Classic In Trenton, NJ, a UCI 1.3 race of 150 km. Trenton is an exciting circuit race on a totally flat, fast out and back 12km circuit in New Jersey's State Capital. June 8, 2001 is a cool event up the Manayunk Wall; the First Union Hill Climb run on Friday evening in Philly. The invitational 1.5 km hill climb offers $10,000 In prizes and lets riders test their legs on the Wall. Festina: Day 9Baal "Cycling not clean"French federation president, Daniel Baal today gave more detailed testimony during the Festina trial, which is now in its 9th day. Originally scheduled for Monday, Baal was forced to wait until Thursday as heavy weather in Manchester, and Hein Verbruggen's lengthy cross examination on Tuesday delayed proceedings. When questioned today, Baal said that he wanted to clean up the sport, especially in the cases of doping and illegal agreements between riders during races. "Our sport is sullied by doping and by those who are doped, but I don't agree that the equation 'cycling equalises all dopers' can be applied systematically," he said. He felt that "a strong majority of cyclists had recourse to doping, with EPO in particular," from 1996 to 1998. "Some used it all the time, others used it intermittently for the Grand Tours so as to not look ridiculous. However I am sure that some did not take anything." Judge Daniel Delegove considered that Baal was being sincere in his attempt to fight doping, however he thought that Baal's emphasis was on those who incite doping, rather than the entire problem itself. "You appear to have the spirit of the body when the body is gangrenous," he said. Mr. Delegove pointed out that EPO had been on the IOC's banned list since 1990. Baal claimed that he was unaware of it at that time, and believed that "anti-doping controls were reliable". This led Delegove to say that Baal was seriously underprepared for his job as the president of the FFC which he started in 1993. Delegove objected that Baal did not take enough steps to seek new detection methods for EPO, and there was little research done by the FFC into EPO. Baal responded that his duties as president of a federation with over 100,000 members (200 of which were professionals) may have overwhelmed this aspect. "There are in truth, problems of availability," he said. According to Judge Delegove, the FFC were being deficient in their fight against doping, "One cannot remain in the situation where one cannot believe in their sport," he said. However Baal refused (on behalf of the FFC) to take responsibility, although he admitted that it has eaten away at him over the years. The UCI introduced voluntary blood controls in 1993, and again in 1996, but they were met with resistance, especially from the foreign riders. "In 1993 I managed to confront it. Unfortunately, I am not an actor. My fight in '93 was the same as in '96 and in 2000 - EPO is still not detectable despite a broad search," he finished.
Leblanc speaks
Jean-Marie Leblanc, director of the Société du Tour de France gave his testimony today during the Festina trial. He claimed it was not the responsibility of race organisers to ensure the medical health of the riders. However, it was up to them to facilitate testing by the proper authorities. Judge Delegove concurred, saying before the hearing that Leblanc "did not have a direct function in the fight against doping." Leblanc said that he was aware of the infamous "Belgian Pot" (a mixture of cocaine, amphetamines, heroin, and steroids) in 1989, but he only became of aware of EPO in 1994, the day after the Gewiss team's remarkable 1-2-3 finish in La Fleche Wallone. He was however surprised and shocked at the revelations that riders used Belgian pot "to get high" after races. Leblanc, of former professional himself, said that "There is a certain compatibility between cycling and doping, because in cycling to win requires a degree of bluff and viciousness. If one is vicious in a race, one can try and be so with the pharmacopeia. However, everyone is free to accept or refuse temptation," he said. He also said that in 1996, while he was vice-president of the French League of professional cycling, he supported Daniel Baal in his warning to the UCI and the French Sports Ministry about the dangers of EPO. However, during 1998 when the Festina scandal hit, he would not consider stopping the Tour de France, as was suggested by an article in "Le Monde". "It would have put several companies' existence in danger, and about 50 sports teams," he said. Leblanc is convinced that cycling will find the solution to its problems, and that the last 9 days had really opened his (and the rest of the World's) eyes to the extent and nature of doping within the peloton. "More than after 1998," he said. Finally, Spanish ONCE doctor, Nicolas Terrados, was also heard. The judge reproached him for having illegally imported drugs without authorization, and he defended himself. His hearing was the last of those that have been accused in this trial. Justice reproaches him for having imported drugs without authorization, that of which it is defended. Its hearing constituted the final completion of the instruction to the lawsuit. Canberra launch Cycle ClassicAustralia's capital, Canberra yesterday launched the 19th Commonwealth Bank Cycle Classic, that starts on Saturday, November 4 in Sydney, and finishes November 12 in Canberra. The Chief Minister of the ACT Government, Gary Humphries officially launched the race at Casino Canberra today. The event has been run each year since 1982, starting after the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, and is in its final year this year. Canberra will host the final two days of the 963 kilometre race, with a 102 km circuit race on Saturday, November 11 (using the picturesque women's World Cup circuit) and a 13 km time trial and 30 km criterium to conclude the race on Sunday. It will be the largest involvement of Canberra in the race's 19 year history. Race promoter Phill Bates (AM) praised the ACT Government and its agencies for the support, which enabled the race to conclude for the tenth time in Canberra. "The support from Canberra Tourism and Events, Healthpact and Canberra Branch of Diabetes Australia as well as the wonderful sponsorship from Casino Canberra of the ACT team has been a major factor in finishing the race in Australia's capital," he said. The Casino Canberra team has performed very well during the past few years and figured in placings of several major stages. Denis Mungovern will head the team this year following some fine performances including overall victory in the Top End Tour and 3rd in the Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic. Rory Sutherland has also just returned from a fourth place in the World Under 19 time trial championship. The remainder of the team will be Brent Miller, Allan Seiper and Michael Tolhurst.
British pair to combine in SixesBritain's youngest Olympic medallist, Bradley Wiggins has been confirmed as partnering another Brit in three of the Six Day races that will be taking place in Europe this month. He will ride with the recent World's pursuit bronze medallist, Rob Hayles in Grenoble, Munich and Gent - a total of 18 days racing in the next 24. Rob Hayles' plan was originally to contest just the one event in Grenoble, due to a heavy racing schedule with Cofidis next year, however his 6 day agent Tony Doyle (MBE) persuaded he and Wiggins otherwise after speaking with Six Day coordinator, Patrick Sercu. The pair hope to impress especially in Gent, a race that traditionally draws a lot of British fans. "We have both become a lot stronger this season and really want to give our fans plenty to cheer about. If the supporters come all this way, we certainly do not want let them down," said Hayles. For 20 year old Wiggins, the opportunity to ride several races on the six day circuit is a fantastic boost to his young career. A 1998 junior World Champions, Wiggins has this year added a silver medal to his fine Olympic performances, where he and Hayles came so close to a medal in the points race. In addition to being offered the run of the six day circuit, Wiggins was also asked by Sercu to ride in the Open de Nations at Bordeaux, November 17-19(!) as part of the European All Star team. However, he had to decline due to the logistics of competing in back to back Sixes. Wiggins acknowledges the support of his sponsors (Tal-Endura, DeFeet, Sidi and Sport and Publicity) as well as his fans, many of whom will travel to Gent to watch him race.
Sevilla's futureOscar Sevilla may well lead Kelme-Costa Blanca in next year's Tour de France, unless an "offer he can't refuse" comes soon. With the departure of Kelme strongmen: Roberto Heras, Chechu Rubiera and Fernando Escartin, the team will need to mould itself around a new leader. Sevilla will be in his third season with Kelme next year, and said that leaving the team would be unlikely. He commented on his other teammates transfers, particularly Roberto Heras who has gone to US Postal. "It was not a problem of money. A good sporting and economic offer came to Heras. He said that he will work for Armstrong in the Tour, but will have options in the Vuelta," said Sevilla to European Press. As for his own program, Sevilla said that he "only wanted to ride the Tour. I have almost given up the Giro - I like Italy but I suffer from pollen allergies in May and it would not be a good idea. It is necessary to go at least twice to the Tour to learn how it is raced." Sevilla was under a cloud prior to the World Championships last month, when a positive test for caffeine ruled him out of the Spanish team. He had just won the Luis Ocaña trophy and the Memorial Galera, but they were quickly forgotten. "What hurt me more was the manner in which I found out," he said. "Now I am waiting for DNA tests, but my image is already stained." Sevilla added that he didn't think much of Thomas Davy's declarations against Miguel Indurain last week, "How can a controversial rider such as he dare to accuse Indurain of doping. I don't understand it. People confuse doping with recovery products. It should be necessary to teach people this so that they can distinguish it," he finished. Landbouwkrediet 2001Belgian division II team, formerly known as Tönissteiner-Colnago-Landbouwkrediet will be called "Team Landbouwkrediet" next year, reflecting a different sponsorship hierarchy. It will continue with the following riders next season: Pauly Burke (USA), Nicolas Coudray Swi), Gunther Cuylits (Bel), Jeff Louder (USA), Masahiko Mifune (Jpn), Bert Roesems (Bel), Michel Van Haecke (Bel), and Kurt Van Landeghem (Bel). They will lose Tom Desmet (Bel) to Bankgiroloterij, Marc Chanoine (Bel) to Ville de Charleroi, Jan Poppe (Bel) (retiring), and Björn Cornelissen (Ned), Davy Delmé (Bel), Niklas Ekström (Swe), Morgan Fox (Irl) and Kees Hopmans (Ned). New riders for 2001: Jurgen Vermeersch (Bel) and Jurgen Vandewalle (Bel) (both from Palmans), Filip Meirhaeghe (Bel) (Ville de Charleroi) and neo-pros Bert De Waele (Bel), Gordon McCauley (NZl) and Andrei Tcherviakov (Rus). Courtesy of cycling4all Other signingsDutch mountain biker, Bas van Dooren has changed from Be One to Specialized, managed by Gert-Jan Theunisse. Van Dooren signed for two years, after spending three years with Be One. He is currently ranked 7th in the World, and finished second overall in the 2000 World Cup. Post Swiss rider, Roger Beuchat has signed a one year contract with another Swiss team, Phonak Hearing Systems. German U23 rider, Domink Raza (22 years) old, has signed a contract with the professional Team Flanders-Prefetex, based in Belgium.
Bruce Cochrane
A few days ago, cyclingnews reported the passing of 71 year old Bruce "Cocky" Cochrane, a well known member of the Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club. He passed away just a few hours after his wife Wilma, who had a long battle with cancer. One of the real characters of cycling, Cocky will surely be missed in a small part of the world. Sometimes, we forget the real reason we ride bikes. Mark Chadwick, who often contributes race reports from the Carnegie club to cyclingnews, writes that "Cocky was a real gent. He took a bit of time to help me with my miserable sprint a few years back, never mind that I raced against him and his "pension queue". He was 71 yo, left three daughters and countless friends. I was personally greatly honoured every time he called me Mark, as everyone was "pal" to Cocky. "The tough old bloke really appreciated my wife and my care on the occasions when he was crash damaged. The cracked pelvis was the last time I had to treat him, fell at the top of the little hill at Waverley, then Jack Dovaston (maybe 120kg) fell on top of Cocky! Not a whinge or any animus, he'd been through it all before. Came back the next week to watch and was back racing in six weeks - remember he was 70 at the time!" Editor of the Vet's Gazzette, Peter Clark (who took the photo) said that "Cocky raced in my grade and always had something to say. His sprint was such that he could just about win at will, but he wasn't about to do much work out front. What else could you expect from an old trackie? Anyway, he would regularly say "let him go, he's too good" referring to a younger rider who had broken away from the grade. What he was really saying was that someone had better chase him down (not him)." "Another of his classic lines was "Hilly will bring him back" referring to another of his track mates who would invariably chase a rider down and sit on his wheel and refuse to take the lead. "Hilly'll never do a turn" Cocky would say. He had about 6 of these classic lines and never ceased to amuse me in his own laconic way." The combined funeral is today at White Lady Chapel, 667 Glenhuntly Rd, Caulfield South, Friday November 3 at 10:30am. |
