News for September 30, 2000
News from the Milan bike showBy Tim Maloney, cyclingnews.com correspondent September 16-19 were the dates for the second big bike show of the year, the EICMA show in Milan, Italy. A full report of some of the goodies on display can be read in our technical section, but here are some other snippets from the show that you may have missed.
Arguments at show - Cinelli: Legalise SpinaciAt their stand Cinelli launched a new campaign against the decision of the UCI to ban the Spinaci handlebar extensions. The relationship between the cycling authorities and bike producers has never been idyllic as we have recently seen regarding the new rules regarding the Hour Record. However the most controversial and most discussed has to be the decision in 1997 to ban the Spinaci bars. Based on the theory that the reaction times of a rider to move from the Spinaci to the brakes is slower than that with normal riding positions, the arguments have even ended in court in Milan. "There has never been dialogue between us," Claudia Pianino, the press officer of the Gruppo Cinelli said. "Or rather the UCI has never wanted to listen to us. The decision to ban Spinaci bars was taken too quickly without any real reason. We've commissioned a study at the Milan Politecnico university and the results show that the braking reaction times for Spinaci are the same as when a rider has their hands on the top of the brake hoods. Naturally the UCI has never considered these results." Now Cinelli has decided to start a full scale campaign to legalise Spinaci bars, which before the ban made up 15% of their business. "Legalise Spinaci is a wide scale campaign with which we intend to tell the world of cycling about the injustice we've suffered. We've sent the results of the research to all the cycling federations in the world and apart from the French Federation - which perhaps have their own reasons for not being interested in the legalisation of Spinaci, everybody has supported us." "Because of this we have decided to launch an advertising campaign and we've made a video which shows how riders often hang on to brake cables in the absence of Spinaci, taking even bigger risks," he added.
Colnago and Ferrari unveil new bike
In front of many of the riders who made his bikes famous all over the world, Ernesto Colnago unveiled his latest bike created for Ferrari. The first major event of the 58th International Milan Bicycle Exhibition was the unveiling of the new Colnago CF1 bike made in collaboration with the Ferrari car company. Known as the Ferrari of cycling for his design and use of advanced technology, Colnago has continued the evolution of the bicycle, creating yet another jewel. Described as having a look of aggressive elegance by Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, the new monocoque CF1 frame weighs just 7.8kg and has a slick aerodynamic profile. The frame comes with a carbon fibre seat post, forks and rims and is equipped with Campagnolo Record components. The red and black paint scheme includes both the Colnago cloverleaf emblem and the Ferrari raging horse on the top tube. Only 500 models of the CF1 will be produced and several Ferrari car owners have already placed orders to complete their collections of everything Ferrari. One of the first owners of the new bike will be Ferrrari's Formula One driver Michael Schumacher. Posing proudly for photographs with his latest creation, Ernesto Colnago said, "This bike is the best that cycling can offer. "Colnago and Ferrari have worked together for more than ten years. I have to thank Luca Cordero di Montezemolo for giving me the opportunity of making this bike. He"s a friend and expert of cycling." "Ferrari is a symbol of technological excellence and I"m proud that Ferrari has decided to unite their name with our knowledge of bicycle design." Although unable to attend the presentation, Montezemolo praised Colnago"s craftsmanship, "We are pleased that Colnago has created such a beautiful and technologically advanced bike for Ferrari. Colnago is famous for his design and craftsmanship and has incredible experience when it comes to designing bikes." The CF1 was unveiled at a special presentation at the Milan International Bicycle Exhibition in front of many of the legendary riders who raced with Colnago bikes. Eddy Merckx, Vittorio Adorni, Fiorenzo Magni and Beppe Saronni all admired the la test Colnago creation, telling a fascinated audience of their memories and anecdotes of when they raced for Colnago. Saronni told of how he always trusted Colnago build him the best possible bike, while Merckx suggested that his maniacal obsession with his bikes was probably the reason why Colnago is such a perfectionist when it comes to bike design and construction. Technical details: Frame: carbon fibre monocoque frame satisfying the rules of the UCI
Garzelli grabs all the attentionThe biggest name amongst all the stars seen at the Milan bike show must be that of Stefano Garzelli, the winner of this year's Giro d'Italia. The Mercatone Uno-Albacom rider spent Sunday afternoon visiting the Briko, Gensen Bianchi and La Gazzetta dello Sport stands, signing posters and photographs for hundred of cheering "tifosi". "Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to see everything at the show because I've been busy signing autographs," said Garzelli while at the Briko stand. "I've seen the new bikes from Bianchi and the new Briko glasses but that's about it. However it seems to be a great show and there are a lot of people. That's nice because it means the people still like cycling."
My BikeGarzelli admitted that he still cleans his bike at home even though he is one of the most famous and well paid riders in the sport. "I'm not a maniac about my bike but I always make sure it works properly before I go riding," he said wisely. I have an aluminum bike because I like to have the right balance between weight and resistance. If a bike is too rigid it can be uncomfortable, so I like a perfect balance between the two." Garzelli crashed out of the Giro del Lazio race near Rome but insisted on visiting the show. "I cut my arm but I didn't want to miss the show," said Garzelli. "Hopefully my injuries won't affect my preparation for the World Championships. I still want a place in the Italian team." After winning the Giro in June, Garzelli said he would be staying at the Mercatone Uno team. However in recent weeks there has been a rumour that he was going to join the Mapei team for 2001. Is it true? "I've still got to decide a few things about my future. I could change teams but it's not sure yet and nothing has been decided. I'll let everybody know soon," he said.
Merckx in Milan attacks the UCIWhile showing his new bikes at the Milan bike show Eddy Merckx criticised the UCI about the new Hour Record rules. He may look different than in the days when he raced in the 1970s, but Eddy Merckx will always be the Cannibal and still captures the attention of the public at the Milan bike show. His incredible career is still fresh in the minds of the "tifosi" who ask for his autograph and pose for photographs. Everybody remembers his great wins such as the five Tour de France and hundreds of one day races and classics. At the bike show Merckx was showing his latest bikes which carry his legendary name. "The newest product we have on show is the frame which will be used next year by the new Belgian team Domo which will be in the top five of the UCI rankings," Eddy explains proudly. "The frame only weighs 1.2kg but it is very strong for riders like Johan Museeuw and my son Axel who will also be riding for the team. It will be used in races like Paris-Roubaix and the Tour de France." Of course Merckx produces a full line of bikes and frames. "We also make bikes in aluminum, carbon fibre and titanium. We've got bikes with prices from 2,000,000 lira upwards," he says showing the brightly coloured frames on his stand in hall 2. After a packed first day, Merckx was clearly happy to be in Milan and explained how important the Milan show is his business. "The Milan show is important for us because there are a lot of visitors especially foreign visitors. They come to the show to see the latest designs and the latest colours and then many of them buy our bikes. That is what shows are all about."
Hour Record argumentsAsked about the recent rule changes by the UCI concerning the Hour Record, Merckx was not afraid to attack the governing body of world cycling just as he attacked his rivals when he was racing. "The decision to change the Hour Record makes me laugh, it's a joke," he said. "It's insulting to the riders who broke the record in recent years. Every time the record was broken it was always a great ride by the rider who do it, we shouldn't forget that. The big problem in recent years is that by changing the rules several times, the UCI stopped riders from using the same technological advances used in previous attempts by other riders. That was wrong." Sportingly Merckx said he was not worried about Chris Boardman breaking his record on the track in Manchester in October. We'll have to see if Boardman uses a bike exactly the same as the one I used and if he will ride in the same position," he said. "But if Boardman does break the record I won't get upset because it's normal that records fall after 28 years." Merckx is still clearly a champion.
Not only bikes: a contest to decide Miss EICMAFive hostesses from the Gensan stand were fighting it out for the title of the best looking model. Bikes, bikes and more bikes. Accessories and components. The latest gadgets, spinning bikes, scooters and electric bikes. A paradise for the "appassionati" as they call the lovers of cycling in Italy. Of course paradise would not be complete without some angels such as the many hostesses who are the life and soul of the bike show. But who is the most beautiful? Martina Colombari is a former Miss Italy and a television star. She captured the attention of everybody at the World Key stand today. Of course former road sprinter Alessio Di Basco of the Gensan stand was not caught without a reply to the challenge laid down by Key World. He has created a beauty contest between the five models on his stand. Under a huge poster of Giro d'Italia winner Stefano Garzelli, Angela, Chiara, Filomena, Krystal and Romina have a smile for everybody as they asked: "Excuse me, what's your name? I want to vote for you." In reply the girls turn around to show their name and number pinned on the back of their pink jersey. As a name is written down on the voting slip, a drop of sweat forms on the forehead of the excited visitor. Perhaps they need to try one of Gensen's isotonic drinks. Another great marketing ploy from the emerging drinks company. Vuelta 2002The Spanish city of Ceuta has asked for permission to host the finish of the Vuelta a Espaņa in 2002. Ceuta is an Spanish town lying in the other side of the strait of Gibraltar (North African coast), sourrounded by Morocco and the Mediterranean Sea. It would be the first time ever that the city has hosted a stage, and being the end of the race it would be of great value to Ceuta. Five hours of TV coverage, with viewers from up to 36 countries watching would raise the city's profile enormously. They are requesting a 50 kilometre time trial to conclude the race. In addition, the La Covatilla ski resort in Salamanca will also host a mountain top stage finish in 2002. The finishing climb is 18 kilometres and averages 6.3 percent, although there are some sections at 16 percent.
Team newsLotto's Christophe Detilloux will switch to the combined Collstrop-Palmans team next year, after confirming his contract with director sportif Hilaire Van Der Schueren. After an unsuccessful year with the US Postal team this year, Dutch Aussie, Patrick Jonker will leave to join French outfit, Big Mat Auber-93 along with Franck Pencole of Credit Agricole. However, Big Mat will be losing Thierry Bourguignon to retirement next year. The charismatic 37 year old has been a professional since 1990, riding with Toshiba, Castorama, Le Groupement, Force Sud/Aubervilliers, and Big Mat. He has a sparse victory list of 7 races, including a stage in the Midi Libre, two stages of the Tour du Vaucluse, and several criteriums.
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