News for February 4, 2001Recent results and new features 10th Challenge MallorcaThe 10th edition of the popular Spanish season opener starts today in Palma with an 80 kilometre circuit race. 17 teams will take part in the event, including World Champion Romans Vainsteins (Domo), his teammate Johan Museeuw, Abraham Olano, Igor González de Galdeano and Joseba Beloki (ONCE), Erik Zabel (Telekom), Erik Dekker (Rabobank), Angel Casero (Festina), Francisco Mancebo (Banesto) and Oscar Sevilla (Kelme). the five stage event contains more mountains than in previous years, eleven of which are categorised. The overall winner will be as usual, the rider with the lowest accumulated time. However, the Challenge Mallorca is unique in the fact that the riders can choose which races they ride, regardless of whether they finished the previous day.
Magnien for 2004 World's...?Frenchman Emmanuel Magnien is not a participant in this year's Cyclocross World's in Tabor, as he is currently serving a suspension for corticoids that saw him miss the Olympics and the cyclocross season. It is unlikely that a French rider will win the elite championships this year, as the Belgian and Dutch riders are far too strong. However, Magnien said that he wants to try and win the World's in 2004 when they are in France (Pont-Château). France was much stronger in cyclocross six or seven years ago, when Domenic Arnould was at his peak winning World Cup races and a World Championship. In an interview with AFP, Emmanuel Magnien said that he thought the standard had been raised, "but for the last two years, cycling has tried 'to be clean'. I think cyclocross will get better soon." However, he doesn't put the raised standard just down to drugs. "There is more money than ever before in cyclocross and the riders are more professional," said Magnien. "A rider who puts everything into a cyclocross season can earn a good living." Magnien added that "a road rider has a chance on a rolling circuit" but "a rider like Groenendaal has had a two and a half month road season and he is paid to gain the World Championships." Will it be Groenendaal again in '01? Or will the Belgian/Dutch teamwork catapault someone else into the top podium spot?
Lampre-Daikin get readyThe Lampre-Daikin team just finished its second training camp in Tuscany and is preparing itself for the first races of the season. Maurizio Piovani has already travelled to Mallorca for the Trofeo Mallorca (Feb. 4-8), taking nine riders with him: Oscar Camenzind, Marco Serpellini, Ludo Dierckxsens, Johan Verstrepen, Matteo Frutti, Massimo Codol, Sergio Barbero, Juan Manuel Garate and Mariano Piccoli. Directeur sportif Pietro Algeri will take an alternative group with him to the south of France for La Marseillaise (Feb 6) and the Etoile de Bessèges (Feb 7-11): Jan Svorada, Zbigniew Spruch, Marco Della Vedova, Simone Bertoletti, Rubens Bertogliati, Ravis Belohvosciks, Matteo Algeri and Robert Hunter.
Erik Rijckaert's funeralRichard Virenque was amongst those who attended the funeral of former Festina team doctor, Eric Ryckaert in Oostwinkel (Bel) on Saturday morning. Other visitors included Willy Voet and teammanager Bruno Roussel. It was so crowded that a lot of people had to stay outside the church in the rain. During the funeral, the text of Rijckaert's book 'Right of Reply' was used: "I'm bitter, but I don't hate anybody. I judge, not convict. There are many good judges, many good scientists and many good journalists. But they weren't and aren't heard by the masses."
Audehm has a strokeFormer German professional cyclist Gerd Audehm (32), has suffered a stroke that has resulted in almost complete memory loss. Audehm rode as a domestique for Telekom (1993-1996) and Nürnberger (1997-1998), and his palmares include two Tour de France finishes. He is married with one 6 year old daughter, and is now being looked after by his parents.
Fadrny back with amateursFormer Linda McCartney team member, Ondrey Fadrny (Cze) will be forced to ride with the amateurs again this year after his team folded last week. He returns to Italy to ride in the Aqua MG Mema team. Andrey is 22 and won six races in Italy last year, finishing 8th at the European Championships.
Liquigas takes to the air
Italian division I team Liquigas held its team presentation in Milan on February 2, in front of a large array of media and cycling personalities that frequent such gatherings. Although perhaps not quite as lavish as Mapei-Quick Step's rumoured $US 150,000 presentation, Liquigas managed to pull off something out of the ordinary, including sending three riders up in a hot air balloon(!) The leader of the team is the talented Davide Rebellin, who is looking for a more successful 2001 after winning just one race last season (Giro del Veneto). However, there were many second and third places that weren't converted into wins, and it was a case of 'almost' for Rebellin in 2000. His ambitions remain similar and will be focussed on the World Cup races. "Liege remains my favourite race," he said. "Third place in 2000 was a good result but I definitely want the victory." There was a similar result in the Amstel Gold Race, where he was caught by the field just metres from the finish line after a late escape.
The World Championships are every cyclist's dream, and Rebellin is making the road race in Lisbon "a priority" this year. The team already has a rainbow jersey wearer in Sergei Gonchar, who won the elite men's time trial last year in Plouay. Gonchar's role will be as a time triallist and GC rider in the Giro d'Italia, and Rebellin will help him there this season. Finally, Rebellin commented about Marco Pantani's sentencing for sporting fraud. Rebellin believes that in the absence of sure fire tests for drugs such as EPO, there was no way that Pantani should have been sentence, describing it as "unacceptable." "These sanctions do not serve as deterrents for those who take banned substances," he added. Team Roster Manager: Fabio Bordonali Riders Ramon Bianchi (Ita) Neo 800.com 2001The 800.com women's cycling team has announced its team roster for 2001. Nine women will ride for the team, including last year's top women, Leah Goldstein (Can), Lysle Wilhelmi (USA) and Stacey Peters (USA). They will be joined by Autotrader.com's Andrea Ratkovic (USA), who won three races in 2000, including 'Another Dam Race', and finished 3rd in the final stage of the HP International Women's Challenge. Former Charles Schwab rider, Katrina Berger (USA) will begin her 2001 season with 800.com, looking to match some of her form from last year when she won two stages of the Wendy's International Classic. Although relatively unknown on the national scene, sprinter Gina Grain (Can) is ranked 6th in Canada in cross country mountain biking, but will spend more time on the road in 2001. Cindy Carroll (USA) will ride her second season with 800.com, and will be called upon for domestique duties in criteriums and one day races. Nicole Demars from Eugene, Oregon has also developed whilst in the 800.com team, and recorded a 5th place at the Canadian Road Championships in 2000. Finally, 24 year old Spaniard, Nikane Mallea will be an interesting addition to the team, after recording eight top ten placings in Spanish races last year. Nikane is an excellent climber and will ride the 2001 season for experience. She will continue to race in Spain as well for her Spanish squad. Team Roster Leah Goldstein (Can) Nine Aussies to NetherlandsNine Australian riders will ride for a newly beefed up Dutch amateur team in 2001, sponsored by a West Australian based travel technology company. The team will be known as Echo Technologies Cycling 2000, and has strong ambitions to become a professional squad in 2002. In addition to the nine Australian riders, the Dutch club also sports a contingent of both Elite and U23 riders, who at times will compete in mixed teams with the Australians. The extra sponsorship for the team comes from Mr Frank Vanspeybroek, a former Belgian pro road racer and cycling enthusiast. Using his resources as managing director of Echo Technologies, as well as his extensive European contacts, Mr Vanspeybroek attracted co-sponsors British Airways and several Dutch cycling equipment companies, to ensure the team has the best in travel, management, international racing opportunities and equipment. After several weeks of negotiations, the names of the nine riders can be revealed. They include the 2001 National Road Champion Steve Williams (NSW); recent road convert and JCTDU stage winner, Luke Roberts (SA); and promising Queensland U23 sprinter, Ashley Hutchinson. The team has the support of the Australian Institute of Sport, which has recognised it as an avenue for young Australian cyclists to 'learn the trade' and test their skills amongst the world's best. The team departs for Europe on February 13, for the official team presentation two days later. Following this, the team travels to northern Italy for a 3 week training camp, including 5 days of racing. They will then return to stay in Gent, Belgium, where they will be based for much of the year. Important races this season include the U23 World Cup competition and Olympia's Tour in the Netherlands. In addition to this, the squad will compete extensively throughout Europe, and are negotiating to compete in some larger tours within Asia, where Echo Technologies Ltd, have significant business interests. Team Roster
President: Ad Kools (Ned) Elite Riders Steve Williams (NSW) U23 Riders Ashley Hutchinson (Qld) Additional Sponsors Rossin Bicycles Scott Sunderland's Spring Classics ToursHere's your chance to see the Spring Classics...and ride the courses
Have you ever wanted to see the world's best cyclists attack each other on the cobbled climbs of Flanders in the World's oldest classic, The Tour of Flanders? Or punish themselves on the pave of Northern France in the Queen of Classics, "the Hell of the North", Paris-Roubaix? And then for an encore, travel to the Ardennes to witness the third in the trio of the great Belgian Classics, Liège-Bastogne-Liège? Well, it is now possible! Scott and Sabine Sunderland and experienced tour guide Lawrie Cranley (in conjunction with cyclingnews.com) are pleased to announce the "Scott Sunderland Spring Classics Tours", commencing on March 30 and finishing on April 23. This period encompasses all the great Belgian classics, and now is the perfect time to reserve your place, as space is limited. There are a total of five packages to choose from, depending on your time constraints and budget, and there is no better way to see the Classics up close. In addition to this, you will be able to spend time sightseeing and shopping (and of course eating and drinking), as well as being able to ride sections of the race routes. For example, there is the popular 'cyclosportif' ride the day before the Tour of Flanders, that enables you to ride the entire 269 km parcours if you desire, with shorter 70 or 140 km options available. For more questions, simply email either Sabine or Lawrie at tours@cyclingnews.com, and they will be more than happy to help you tailor your needs. For more information about this unique package, please visit the tour pages below. Recent results and new features on cyclingnews |
