News for April 1, 2001Recent results and new features Virenque's future uncertainIt's looking increasingly unlikely that disgraced former Festina star Richard Virenque will be able to join French GS II squad Jean Delatour after he completes his current suspension. Jean Delatour was interested in Virenque but required additional sponsorship to afford him, and the co-sponsor lined up to finance Virenque's acquisition has yet to commit. Jean Delatour directeur sportif said "The Festina affair was serious, but we have nothing against the idea of Richard joining the team; quite the opposite. However, it is unfortunately not possible at the moment." Virenque's manager, Eric Boyer, explained that negotiations with possible teams for Virenque to make a comeback this year had reached a standstill. However, he added, "Richard's sporting career goes beyond 2001. It's much too early to be talking to teams about 2002, though. We must wait for the budgets and season plans to be decided, but we have three other promising contacts." Boyer said that Virenque was coping well with the situation. "After the decision of the Court of Arbitration in Sport he recovered well. He has been training regularly, recently with Laurent Jalabert. Virenque was suspended by the Swiss Cycling Federation after confessing to the use of EPO at the Festina trial earlier this year. His suspension ends August 15. Schenk wins BDR presidencyFor the first time in its 117 year history the German cycling Federation (BDR) has a female president in 48 year old Frankfurt lawyer Sylvia Schenk. Schenk was elected on Saturday at the BDR's federal general meeting, gaining 496 votes from a possible 525. "I am very highly motivated about this office, and hope that with a terrific team we can achieve many positive things for bike racing," said Schenk. I hope the many good contacts I have made in my career in sports administration will benefit the BDR in the coming years." Schenk also intends to improve cooperation with other federations. "We can tell there is anincreasing interest in bike racing in many cities and regions. Bike racing has enormous potential." German federal Chancellor Gerhard Schröder congratulated Schenk by telegram, saying, "I wish you much success with this important work." Dutch women's selectionPeter Pieters, women's track coach for Dutch federation KNWB, has announced a test day for his riders to determine who will represent the Netherlands in the World Cup races in Poland and Italy. "Last year I made the selection on my own and there was a lot of trouble afterwards. But now nobody can say things about me," Pieters said. On the selection day the riders will do a 3km pursuit, and 500m and 250m flying start events to determine who gets the two places available for these World Cups. Selection for the World Cup in Mexico and the world championships in Antwerp will be determined at the Dutch national championships. Pantani to return at Pais VascoMarco Pantani's next outing, after withdrawing from Thursday's hardest stage of the Semana Catalana, will be the Vuelta al Pais Vasco, which runs April 9-13. Armstrong in good shape, says BruyneelAfter his strong showing in the Semana Catalan Lance Armstrong has returned to the US for the 'Ride for the Roses' charity event next weekend. Commenting on the Texan's eighth place finish, US Postal Directeur sportif Johan Bruyneel said, "For the time of year we can really be 100 per cent content. Lance rode really well and had no weak periods. He wasn't strong enough to compete with the very best riders, but we didn't expect him to." Team Bicycle TherapyEntering its eighth year in existence, Team Bicycle Therapy has become a well-known and respected presence on the East Coast amateur cycling scene. The focus of the team is to present a solid core of committed individuals who are dedicated to training and racing in the most professional manner possible. Riders on the team have a responsibility to Bicycle Therapy and its sponsors to actively promote, to the public, a positive attitude regarding our sponsors and cycling as a whole. Team membership has consistently numbered between eight and ten riders varying in age from twenty-one to thirty-one, competing at Professional/Amateur Category I and II levels. Keeping the roster small has ensured a tight-knit group of riders who are committed to training and racing together. Racing results have been obtained on the regional, national, and international level. Joining the roster in 2000 was Stephan Kincaid a 2-time Collegiate National Champion. The principal sponsor is Bicycle Therapy, an independently owned, family-operated business established in 1991 by Lee Rogers and run by his brother Carlos who also captains and manages the team. Elite Team Carlos Rogers Sponsors Oakley Recent results and new features on cyclingnews |