News for September 25, 2000

Steels finishes early

Belgian Tom Steels will not be able to race again this season. He still has problems with a viral infection that forced him out of the Belgian Olympic team. He intends to use the coming months to prepare for next season.

Steels has not had a year full of wins in 2000, with a total of five added to his palmares. His most memorable were his two stages in the Tour de France, won in succession. However, he reitred from the race shortly afterwards, and has not been seen since. Earlier on in the season, he won stages in the Tour Mediterraneen, Paris-Nice and Driedaagse van De Panne.

Dutch Championships 2001

A new venue for the Dutch Championships will have to be found after the municipality of Gulpen-Wittem will no longer host it. After two years there, Gulpen-Wittem couldn't come to an agreement with the organiser TSM (Top Sports Marketing). Mayor Jos Som of Gulpen-Wittem said that "I hope the municipality realizes what this means. The championships were perfect publicity for us. Two days with at least two hours TV coverage."

Maasbracht and Rotterdam are being looked at as alternatives and they were candidates two years ago. There are also rumours that Margraten will be a candidate as well. They are interested, but first want to talk with KNWU chairman Joop Atsma to learn what the conditions are.

Van Schalen to Cologne

Dutch rider, Paul van Schalen has earned a one year contract with Team Cologne and will leave Bankgiroloterij in 2001. "I think I can ride a better program with Team Cologne and I have a better financial deal now," said Van Schalen of the move.

He will join compatriot Raymond Meijs in the German team.

Danish transfers

Team Cologne will lose Søren Petersen as the Dane will join US team Saturn next year, according to CyclingWorld, Denmark. He has negotiated a contract for one year with them. In addition, Rabobank's Rolf Sørensen has now finally confirmed his signature with Memorycard.

Zubeldia extends

Euskaltel's Haimar Zubeldia has signed a contract with the team for the next three years. His results this year helped to push the Basque outfit to number one in the division II rankings, and Zubeldia is ranked 37th overall. Although there were rumours that he would transfer to Banesto, Euskaltel acted quickly to secure his talents for the forseeable future.

Euskaltel-Euskadi have managed through their performances to gain a start in the Paris-Tours World Cup race on October 8.

BankGiroLoterij starts afresh

Arend Scheppink, the manager of the Dutch division II team BankGiroLoterij-Batavus has told Lars Teutenberg, Renger Ypenburg, Johan Bruinsma, Kees Jeurissen and Wim van de Meulenhof that their contracts will not be continued next year. Schepping intends to contract some of the young Farm Frites riders next season.