News for April 27, 2001Recent results and new features
Zabel playing it safe?
Defending Amstel Gold Race champion, Erik Zabel, is not quite in the same incredible form as he was at this time last year, when he placed highly in both the Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix, as well as winning Milan-San Remo and the Amstel Gold Race. Yesterday he raced in the Grote Scheldeprijs in Belgium, but he missed making the front group after the selection was made in the final 80 kilometres. The only Telekom rider to make the cut in the Scheldeprijs was Andreas Klier, who finished 7th. The Zabel/Telekom camp played down this lapse, saying that he didn't want to take a risk before Saturday's big one. "The field had split, and Erik had no chance to win," said team director Walter Godefroot. "Since the weather conditions were very unpleasant (bright sunshine!) and the next World Cup race is coming soon on the program, we decided to take the exit."
Pantani ready for TrentinoMarco Pantani's Mercatone Uno team manager, Giuseppe Martinelli, has confirmed that Il Pirata is in good spirits for the upcoming Giro del Trentino (April 30-May 4). The five day, 2.2 class stage race is considered an important lead up for the Giro d'Italia, starting May 19. "Marco is in training doing a lot of kilometres and intensity, in preparation for the Giro del Trentino," said Martinelli. "I spoke to Pantani this morning on the telephone about these tours." Pantani's program in between the two races will probably include the Giro di Toscana (May 6) and the GP Industria e Commercio di Larciano (May 13). This is not official yet. The Mercatone Uno-Stream TV team that will participate in the Giro del Trentino will inlcude Marco Pantani, Marco Velo (back after an accident), Marcello Siboni, Giuseppe Di Fresco, Riccardo Forconi, Simone Borgheresi, Daniel Clavero and Massimo Podenzana.
Alessio for AmstelItalian division II Alessio was the last wildcard team to be selected for this Saturday's Amstel Gold Race. Alessio has performed extremely well this season, topping the UCI division II rankings by a long way, and winning both major one day races yesterday (Grote Scheldeprijs and Giro dell' Apennino). Director Bruno Cenghialta's Amstel squad will comprise Stefano Casagranda, Davide Casarotto, Pietro Caucchioli, Andrea Ferrigato, Martin Hvastija, Franco Pelizzotti, Paolo Valoti, and Alberto Vinale.
Somarriba to skip GiroSpanish stage race queen, Joane Somarriba (Alfa Lum), has decided to miss the Giro d'Italia Femminile (July 2-15) that she won last year, preferring to concentrate on La Grande Boucle Féminine (August 5-19) where she is also the defending champion. In addition, the 28 year old will ride the Hewlett-Packard Women's Challenge in the USA (June 13-24). She had hoped to participate in the first running of the women's Tour of Spain that was due to get off the ground this year, but it has failed to do so.
Lukaszewicz joins ServiscoPolish born Canadian Czeslaw Lukaszewicz, has signed a contract with the 3rd division Polish team Servisco, and will make his debut with them in the Peace Race.
26th Internationale Thüringen-Radrundfahrt108 U23 cyclists from 25 different countries are down to ride the 26th edition of the Internationale Thüringen-Radrundfahrt stage race, from May 3-9. The seven stage race also includes a prologue, and it is considered one of the toughest editions ever. The main favourites out of the 18 teams due to take part include Italian ex-World Champion, Lorenzo Bernucci; current World U23 Champion, Jeremy Yates (NZ), and former junior MTB World Champion, Walker Ferguson (USA); while Eric Baumann and Sebastian Lang are the main hopes for the Thüringen team. The parcours is expected to challenge everyone, with three flat stages, three pure mountain stages, and two time trials. Total prize money is an impressive DM550,000 (US$50,000), and the race also counts towards the U23 World Cup. Ringerike Grand Prix21 teams will contest the Norwegian 2.5 stage race, Ringerike Grand Prix, that starts tomorrow, April 27. Several Norwegian teams, including the national mountain bike team, will ride, along with teams from Denmark, Sweden, Belgium Germany and France. Last year's defending champions, Mroz-Supradyn from Poland will also be sending a squad that includes the experienced Grzegorz Wajs and up and comers, Pawel Niedzwiecki and Lithanian Raimondas Vilcynskas. The Stages
Agro-Adler Mark Brandenburg British event newsTwo Birmingham events - the Royal Sutton Road Race Yoxall, Staffs, due to have been held on April 8, will now go ahead on September 16, whilst the Worcester St Johns Road Race has been put back from May 13 until July 1. In additon, the BCF Western Promotions Circuit Races originally scheduled for Saturday March 31 at Colerne Airfireld, but cancelled due to foot and mouth, have now been rescheduled for Saturday August 4. Meanwhile, due to the unavailability of the Airfield on Sunday June 17, the BCF Western Promotions Circuit Races (incorporating the Western Regional Zipvit Finals) have been rescheduled to Sunday July 22. The Blacklands Triangle Road Race, which will take place on Sunday August 5 at Calne, Wiltshire, will now also be open to first category riders.
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