World Championships news for October 5, 2000FranceNational selectors, Charly Bérard and Patrick Cluzaud have chosen their squad to represent France in Plouay next week. 12 men were picked, headed by Laurent Jalabert and Laurent Brochard, both former World Champions. In addition Richard Virenque, Jean-Cyrille Robin, Patrice Halgand and Christophe Moreau are all considered good chances, but there were a few notable exceptions. Jacky Durand, Pascal Herve, Christophe Agnolutto, François Simon, Christophe Cappelle and Frederic Moncoutié are not on the list, which contains a few lesser lights. However, the best team does not necessarily contain all the best riders, and if the French ride together like they did in Sydney, then they have an excellent chance of bringing home a gold medal. In the women, Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli will have the company of Séverine Desbouys, Géraldine Loewenguth, Fanny Lecourtois, Elizabeth Chevanne-Brunel and Cathy Marsal, with Albine Caillie down as the second rider in the time trial. Elite Men Road Race: Laurent Jalabert
(ONCE) Reserve: Gilles Maignan (AG2r Prevoyance) Time Trial: Laurent Jalabert
(ONCE) Elite Women Road Race: Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli Time Trial Jeannie-Longo Ciprelli SpainNational coach, Francisco Antequera named the 13 men and 6 women to contest the World Championships in Plouay. Notable absences from the men's team are Alvaro González de Galdeano and Oscar Sevilla, the former being injured while the latter is claiming "physical problems" despite winning the Trofeo Luis Ocana and the Memorial Manuel Galera recently. They are replaced by Rafael Díaz Justo and Eladio Jimenez. In the men's time trial, there are two positions available, but three pre-selections. Abraham Olano will probably take one of them, but the remaining spot is between Santos Gonzalez and Angel Casero, with the latter wanting to prove himself after his omission from the Olympic team.
Elite Men Road Race: Angel Luis Casero
(Festina) Reserves: José Antonio
Flecha (Relax Fuenlabrada) Time Trial (two to be chosen): Abraham Olano (ONCE) Elite Women Road Race: Fátima Blázquez
(Alfa Lum) Time Trial: Dori Ruano (Valencia
Terra I Mar) NetherlandsElite Men Road Race: Maarten Den Bakker
(Rabobank) Time Trial: Marcel Duijn (Rabobank) Elite women Road Race: Chantal Beltman Time Trial: Marielle Van Scheppingen NorwayElite Men Road Race: Thor Hushovd (Credit
Agricole) Time Trial: Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) Elite Women Road Race: Monica Valen (Grenland
SK) Time Trial: Solrun Flatås
(Jømna/Heradsbygd IL Sykkel) U23 Men Road Race: Kenneth Flesjå (Sandnes SK) Junior Men Road Race: Kristian Ellertsen
(CK Bjørgvin) Junior Women Time Trial: Helene Tveter (Sandefjord SK) Thanks to Georg Reidarsen, Syklingens Verlden Tonkov out after crashRussia will have to do without the services of Pavel Tonkov in the World Championships next week, after he was injured in a training accident in Madrid. The Mapei rider fell while trying to avoid a dog, and injured his wrist and right side. After an initial medical examination, Tonkov was told to rest for a week. The crash also forced him out of the International Hessen Rundfahrt, that started today in Germany.
Sandstod outDane Michael Sandstod will not be riding in Plouay next week after falling out with the selectors as a result of his performances in Sydney. Sandstod rode two laps of the time trial, but pulled out after the final time check (at 7.5 km to go). He also failed to finish the road race. His replacement will be Tayeb Braikia who also hopes to represent Denmark in the madison at the World Track Championships in Manchester, October 25-29.
Hammond out, Sciandri hurtThe British team have suffered a few setbacks in the leadup to the World's. Roger Hammond broke his arm in a fall during the Circuit Franco Belge last weekend and is definitely out. Meanwhile, Max Sciandri was injured in Sydney whilst out training with David Millar after the TT. The pair collided while trying to avoid a truck, however Max returned to race in the Giro di Provincia della Lucca that started on October 3. According to the team, he "rode well with no ill-effects, but then raced home to be with his wife, who went into labour last night. It will be the Sciandris' third baby, and caps a productive year for the Linda McCartney Love Machines: Sean Yates and Matt Stephens producing little racers of their own, with David McKenzie's wife Susan due before Christmas."
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