News for February 7, 2001Recent results and new features 68th Paris-NiceRace director Laurent Fignon presented the 68th edition of Paris-Nice stage race in Rungis today. It is the first 'Hors Categorie' (the second highest ranking) stage race of the year, and an important test for riders. It is known as the "Race to the Sun" but is often held in cold conditions and should not be confused with the "Ruta del Sol". Fignon said that this year's event will be better than his first attempt last year, where he "did not have any sponsors. This time, I have some." The eight day race starts in Nevers on March 11 with a 6.2 kilometre prologue time trial. There follows three stages suited to sprinters, before the riders have to tackle the fearsome Mont Ventoux on Stage 4, 195 kilometres from Tarascon to Sisteron. However the 2000m climb is a fair way from the finish in Sisteron, and may not prove decisive. The penultimate stage is the Nice-Col d'Eze time trial on March 10, which should sort out the final classification. Last year, Telekom's Andreas Klöden started his impressive early season with a victory in Paris-Nice. There will be plenty of sprinters on the start list, including Tom Steels (Mapei), Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo), Jaan Kirsipuu (AG2r), Stuart O'Grady (Credit Agricole), Jo Planckaert (Cofidis), Damien Nazon (Bonjour), Christophe Capelle (Big Mat-Auber), Tristan Hoffman (CSC-World Online), Robbie McEwen (Domo), Robert Hunter (Lampre-Daikin), Fabrizio Guidi (Mercury) and Giovanni Lombardi (Telekom), and there should be a few traditional bunch sprints. For the overall, Credit Agricole's Jonathan Vaughters may be one to watch, given his time trialling skills up mountains in past years. But he will be up against Klöden, Laurent Brochard (Jean Delatour), Laurent Jalabert (CSC), Alex Zülle (Team Coast), Christophe Moreau (Festina), Joseba Beloki (ONCE) and Vladimir Belli (Fassa Bortolo). The stages
Cold in TaborIn an interview with daily Gazet van Antwerpen, Belgian team doctor Jan Mathieu reported on the cold conditions in Tabor, the venue of the World Cyclocross Championships last weekend. "Several riders had problems with hypothermia [e.g. Bart Wellens]. We didn't expect it would be so cold in Tabor. What happened had a lot to do with the very low body fat levels of the riders. A normal human being has an average of 17 percent. The modern cyclist, who weighs less and less, has 5 or 6 percent. And our cyclocross riders do too." "That proves that they are doing their job very well and follow the correct training methods. But after a while there isn't a protective coat and that means that frozen snow water is like going into a deep freezer. That isn't good for your body, so your temperature goes down spectacularly and the athlete is a poor pathetic creature." So do you need to get into warm clothes quickly? "No! Contact with body heat works very fast. I was a doctor with the para's, and when we had a soldier who had hypothermia, we put him naked in a sleeping bag with another naked soldier. Guaranteed success!'
Power secures professional contractBy Shane Stokes Just days after forecasting a return to the amateur ranks for 2001, Irish cyclist Ciaran Power has been given a chance to race professionally this year. The ex-Linda McCartney rider has signed a one year contract with French division II team St. Quentin-Oktos team for 2001, confirmed by team management today. He was previously a member of Vélo Club de St-Quentin a few years ago with teammates David Millar (Cofidis) and Jérémy Hunt (Big Mat), and was able to use those contacts to good advantage. He will begin racing with the team on February 24 in the Tour de Haut Var, followed by the Haribo Classic the next day. "I am over the moon having got a contract. It was a stressful couple of weeks (since the McCartney team folded) but now it is great to get something and still be in the game," said a delighted Power. "My plan for the year is to work really hard and try to get some good results, which in turn will give me a few options for 2002." "The team have said that they will be riding the Paris Roubaix and Paris Tours classics, along with the Coupe de France series of races and events in Spain and Italy. There will be world ranking points going for all these, so that should be a good incentive." The news means that Power will be able to remain in his apartment in Toulouse, in the south of France, although the team is based in St. Quentin, north of Paris, "but it should be possible for me to stay down here and train in the warm weather. They will be racing all over France so there might be a bit of traveling, but that's fine." Mark Scanlon, who was also left high and dry by the McCartney fiasco has not decided on his future yet. His agent Frank Quinn said that the 20 year old may get a contract, but that "nothing will be finalized for a week or two." "We have been in touch with a couple of teams but are going to take our time to decide what is the best way forward for Mark," said Quinn. "He is a bit younger than Ciaran so there is not as much of a rush with him." Shane Stokes writes for the Irish Times (www.ireland.com)
No ONCE for Miguel Martin PerdigueroThe third Spanish ex-Linda McCartney rider is still looking for team, but has ruled out signing with ONCE. Miguel Martin Perdiguero said that after the successful signings of his compatriots Ińigo Cuesta (Cofidis) and Juan Carlos Dominguez (iBanesto.com), he would probably take up offers from either France, Italy or Portugal.
Vestřl in MalaysiaNorwegian ex-Linda McCartney rider Bjřrnar Vestřl is riding the Tour de Langkawi for the international mixed team Telekom Malaysia with Kam Po Wong (HKg) Graeme Miller (NZl) and other riders from Malaysia, Iran and the Philippines. He is taking the place of his ex-teammate Ciarán Power who was to substitute Malaysia's Nor Effandy Rosli. Vestřl was thirteenth in last year's race. Vestřl is reported to have been in contact with some Belgian teams and also Danish team Fakta that also has a team in the Malaysian race. He considers this a good opportunity to show his abilities to the other European teams taking part.
Simensen in amateur ranks
Norwegian Ole Sigurd Simensen moves down from the pro ranks to join the Swedish amateur squad team Mälarenergi in international races. Nationally he will ride for Horten og Omegns Cykleklubb. Simensen rode for French second division squad Saint Quentin-Oktos last season and before that, two years for German Agro-Adler Brandenburg. His three years as a pro have not been without problems and now he looks forward to this re-start of his career. "Mälarenergi is an amateur team but is run professionally and I hope to regain some of the confidence I once had in myself," said the 28 year old who was Norwegian road champion in 1994 and second in the Tour of Britain in 1993. In 1995 he won the Norwegian ITT championship, the Tour of Normandy and the Tour de Seine et Marne the following year. In mid February the team will go to France and Spain and the first race will take place in Biarritz, France February 17. Courtesy of Patrick Serra
Jeroen Blijlevens joins his Lotto mates in ItalyHe is out of the peloton for one month, but on February 12 he will go to Italy to train with his Lotto teammates Gorik Gardeyn, Roel Paulissen, Kurt Van De Wouwer, Fulco Van Gulik, Wesley Van Speybroeck and Tayeb Braikia. Walter Planckaert wants to have him in the neighbourhood of the team, even when the others ride the Trofeo Laigueglia and the Giro Rivera Ligure Ponente. "Jeroen will rejoin the competition with Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne or GP Fayt le Franc. But the season goal for him is still the Giro and the Tour de France. We have a start in the Giro and have to wait for a permit in the Tour de France," said Planckaert.
Daddy DufauxSaeco Macchine per Caffč rider, Laurent Dufaux became a father for the second time today, when his wife Veronique gave birth to a baby girl, Ines in Aigle (Switzerland). Ines weighed 3.310 kg (definitely a climber) and joins her brother Loďs in the Dufaux family. Congratulations to Veronique and Laurent from all of us at cyclingnews.
Corbett out for three monthsBy John Alsedek The 2001 7 UP/Colorado Cyclist training camp got off to an unexpected and unfortunate start on Monday, as team member Jeff Corbett suffered injuries in a crash that will keep him sidelined for at least three months. Corbett sustained a compression fracture of the L-1 and T-12 vertebrae, as well as assorted lacerations and contusions. It was particularly painful for Corbett, as teammates were noting that his form was by far the best he's ever had at this time of year. Still, there is a note of optimism in the air, as the eleven members of the 7 UP/Colorado Cyclist team take stock of themselves and each other. Team manager Scott McAfee said that "The four guys we've added fill specific needs. But it's more than just filling spots on a roster - Lieswyn, Dionne, McCook, and Randell are all seasoned riders that comport themselves professionally and have already fit right in. I like our chances in almost any race in 2001." The 7 UP/Colorado Cyclist training camp continues until February 12th, with the team's first event of the season being the Valley of the Sun stage race in Phoenix, Arizona (February 16-18).
Kleynen injuredSteven Kleynen (Domo-Farm Frites) fell during a training ride in Mallorca after hitting the back wheel of a teammate. He suffered bruises to the back and head.
Transfers in the top 100More than 30 percent of the riders ranked in the UCI's top 100 have transferred to other teams this year, including four riders in the top 10. The most important changes: Francesco Casagrande (Ita/1) Vini Caldirola - Fassa Bortolo
Imola puts in a strong bid for World'sThe Italian city of Imola has stepped up its campaign to host the World Road Championships in 2004. The city is competing with Cuneo, Verona, Venezia (Friuli), Germany, Ireland and Spain for the honours. At today's candidacy launch, it was announced that Luca di Montezemolo and Luciano Pavarotti will both be on the honorary committee, prompting head organiser Vittorio Adorni to joke "Pavarotti is only there on condition that he takes a turn with me on the tandem." The decision as to which city will host the 2004 World's will be made in October by the UCI in Lisbon, Portugal.
New venue for Dutch championshipsThe Dutch road championships will be held in Nijmegen for the next two years. This year the women and espoirs will race on June 30 and the pro men on July 1. For the past 11 years, the championships have been held in the South of Limburg. Henk Vos Memorial changes dateThe Henk Vos Memorial (UCI 1.4), a professional race in Groningen (Ned), has been scheduled for earlier in the year: July 20. The organiser wasn't able to arrange a strong field on September 6 and asked the UCI's permission to change the date. Now the race is planned during the Tour de France, but because there aren't many one day races at that time, it isn't a big problem to get a strong field.
Russian Division I team?Former Russian pro, Alexander Goesjatnikov (multiple winner of the Peace Race) and now chairman of the Russian Cycling Federation, wants a Russian Division I team in next season. Goesjatnikov wants to ask the Russian riders in foreign teams to come back to their home country, such as Dimitri Konyshev, Sergei Ivanov (both Fassa Bortolo) and Pavel Tonkov (Mercury Viatel). The head sponsor would be the oil company, Gasprom. Zaxby's 2001The Zaxby's Cycling Team has officially announced that it will return to racing as a UCI division III team for the 2001 season. Based out of Athens, GA, the team made its debut in 2000, concentrating mainly on racing in the southeast. However, with an expanded roster and sponsorship for the Zaxby's restaurant chain, the team will now compete on a broader national level. With 28 national events targetted, the Zaxby's team will be competing in the Sequoia, Redlands, and Sea Otter Classics in California, Lance Armstrong Criterium, Twilight weekend, Tour de 'Toona, and Philadelphia Championship week. This season's new races include: Tour of Gila, Hotter Than Hell Hundred, San Francisco Grand Prix, US Open Cycling Championships, and Cyclefest 2001. Zaxby's has also added a new espoir team of four young, promising riders with a goal of doing the team justice throughout the season and at the espoir nationals. In addition to the team's ambitious road calendar, Zaxby's Cycling has implemented a schedule of school visits and helmet giveaways around the southeast. The team started this program last year, and is expanding it for this season by planning to visit over 30 grade schools and give out over 1000 kids helmets. On these visits, Zaxby's pro cyclists will talk to children about the importance of helmet and wheel safety. Team Roster Manager: Nicholas Jabro Pro Road Team Dirk Friel Max Finkbeiner John Phillips Sponsors Title Sponsor: Zaxby's Lombardi Sports/Ofoto.com elite teamThe Lombardi Sports/Ofoto.com is an elite category 1 U.S. road team based in San Francisco, CA. The team plans on participating in every major US Pro/Am event in 2001, and just returned from a strong showing at the Tour of Venezuela. The team is built around former National Champion and Team Captain, John Durso. Team Roster Riders John Durso, 33 Sponsors Lombardi Sports Inc. Recent results and new features on cyclingnews |
