News for January 7, 2001Cross World Cup Round 5 today72 riders are due to start today's fifth round of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, the GP de Hollande in Zeddam, Netherlands. After four rounds, the overall top five in the series is: 1 Richard Groenendaal (Ned) 205pts 2 Bart Wellens (Bel) 173 3 Erwin Vervecken (Bel) 150 4 Mario De Clercq (Bel) 148 5 Petr Dlask (Cze) 123Sven Nijs is seventh overall in the standings, but has been showing improving form in recent weeks and has to be counted among the favourites. The full start list for the men is below. No start list was available for the women's race. 1 Sven Nijs (Bel) 2 Tom Vannoppen (Bel) 3 Bjorn Rondelez (Bel) 4 Mario De Clercq (Bel) 5 Ben Berden (Bel) 6 Erwin Vervecken (Bel) 7 Bart Wellens (Bel) 8 Marc Janssens (Bel) 9 Peter Van Santvliet (Bel) 10 Richard Groenendaal (Ned) 11 Gerben De Knegt (Ned) 12 Wim De Vos (Ned) 13 Gretenius Gommers (Ned) 14 Maarten Nijland (Ned) 15 Kamil Ausbuher (Cze) 16 Vaclav Jezek (Cze) 17 Jiri Pospisil (Cze) 18 Petr Dlask (Cze) 19 Emil Mekele (Cze) 20 Thomas Frischknecht (Swi) 21 Alexandre Moos (Swi) 22 Jan Ramsauer (Swi) 23 David Rusch (Swi) 24 Aurélien Clerc (Swi) 25 Christian Heule (Swi) 26 Christian Kalberer (Swi) 27 Roland Schätti (Swi) 28 Beat Wabel (Swi) 29 Luca Bramati (Ita) 30 Daniele Pontoni (Ita) 31 Massimo Sargenti (Ita) 32 Igor Tavella (Ita) 33 Valeriano Vandelli (Ita) 34 Stefano Toffoletti (Ita) 35 Francesco Case (Ita) 36 Alessandro Iori (Ita) 37 Enrico Franzoi (Ita) 38 Dominique Arnould (Fra) 39 David Derepas (Fra) 40 John Gadret (Fra) 41 Julien Absalon (Fra) 42 Jérôme Chiotti (Fra) 43 Francis Mourey (Fra) 44 Guillaume Benoist (Fra) 45 Tadeusz Korzeniewski (Pol) 46 Pawel Cierpikowski (Pol) 47 Marek Cichosz (Pol) 48 Dariusz Gil (Pol) 49 Tomasz Kiendys (Pol) 50 Andrzej Kaiser (Pol) 51 Radoslaw Czapla (Pol) 52 Grzegorz Bodnar (Pol) 53 Roger Hammond (GBr) 54 Matthew Ellis (GBr) 55 Stuart Blunt (GBr) 56 David Collins (GBr) 57 Robert Glajza (Svk) 58 Pavel Medved (Svk) 59 Jan Spak (Svk) 60 Vaclav Metlicka (Svk) 61 Peter Medved (Svk) 62 Henrik Djernis (Den) 63 Tommy Nielsen (Den) 64 Peter Andersen (Den) 65 Shinya Ikemoto (Jpn) 66 Luke Stockwell (Aus) 67 Alex Candelario (USA) 68 Thomas Bonne (Den) 69 Wilant Van Gils (Ned) 70 Wilfried Veldkamp (Ned) 71 Jean-Pierre Leijten (Ned) 72 Camiel Van Den Bergh (Ned) IMBA campaign generates 12,000 responses to BLM planThe US Bureau of Land Management received more than 12,000 letters and emails commenting on its proposed Off-Highway Vehicle Strategy that was released December 4th. MTB access group IMBA says that according to BLM officials the bulk of these comments came from IMBA members and affiliated clubs, the bike industry, and other cycling groups. The BLM plan proposes to group mountain bikes with motorized vehicles, and if approved could lead to new restrictions on mountain bike access on BLM-managed land, which totals one-eighth of the United States. IMBA's Tim Blumenthal hand-delivered IMBA's formal comment letter on January 3 to senior BLM officials in Washington D.C. The BLM's OHV strategy team has gathered in Phoenix to review all comments and prepare the strategy's final version for a January 19th release. "Never before has the cycling community acted so quickly and with such impact on a mountain bike issue," said Blumenthal. "We're confident that the feedback of mountain bikers will have tremendous influence on the BLM's plan because the comments were heartfelt, articulate and right on the money." Austral indoorsThe 103rd running of the Austral Wheelrace will be conducted on an indoor velodrome for the first time, in the Vodafone Arena on February 10, 2001. Starting in 1887, it is the one of the oldest bicycle races still running, and it shows no signs of stopping. The race is being promoted for the 14th time by Cyclists International, a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting cycling. They were also behind Anna Wilson's successful Hour Record attempt last year that "opened" the Vodafone Arena. History In 1887, the Melbourne Bicycle Club, then the oldest cycling club in Australia, organised the first ever "Austral". The race was run over a distance of 3 miles (4800 metres) and was held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It had a first prize of a Grand Piano valued at Two Hundred Pounds (Sterling). Other Melbourne venues to host the "Austral" have been the Exhibition Track, the North Essendon Board Track, the Olympic Park Velodrome and the Brunswick, Coburg and Northcote Velodromes. The 1901 event gained notoriety when the American,"Plugger" Bill Martin won from scratch, amid cries from the Press of alleged race fixing involving the infamous Melbourne identity, John Wren. The massive amount of 1050 Sovereigns was the allocated prize money for the 1902 event. The low point,was in the late 1970's when only $1500 was on offer. There was a resurgence in 1982 when the prize money was lifted to $5000 plus Sponsors products. The present level of prize money has now exceeded $18000 at recent stagings of this prestigious wheelrace. Past winners Many famous names appear on the "Austral" honour roll. World Champions, Gordon Johnson (1973) and Steele Bishop (1982) ,both winning from scratch. Two of our past champions in Jack Fitzgerald (1922) from scratch and Tassie Johnson (1944) from 30 yards. The great Sid Patterson (1962 & 1964) and Laurie Venn (1979 & 1981) have both won the event twice from scratch. The perennial Tasmanian, Danny Clark has had three wins off the scratch mark, in 1977, 1986 and 1990 However, the record now belongs to the consistent Victorian all rounder, Stephen Pate with four victories, in 1988 from scratch, in 1991 from -10 metres, in 1993 from -20 metres and his most recent 1999 win, from scratch. Last year, Gary Neiwand one of Australia's greatest sprinters, was liberally handicapped on 70 metres for the Millennium edition of the event, and won comfortably. Winners list 1887 H. Lambton 210 (Yards) 1888 Dick Davis Scr. 1889 J. Mullins 140. 1890 Tom Busst Scr. 1891 Arthur Turner 240 1892 H. Lambton 200 1893 Gordon Woodward 270 1894 Alf Middleton 180 1895 A. Crisp 250 1896 Charles Kellow 15 1897 Jim Carpenter 85 1898 Tom Finnigan 220 1899 Frank Beauchamp 150 1900 Charles Forbes 30 1901 Bill Martin Scr 1902 Murray Auger 240 1903 Fred Scheps 160 1904 Jack Clarke 150 1905 J. Sandberg 170 1906 Harry Thomas 20 1907 A.C. Colvin 60 1908 M. McPherson 150 1909 A. H. Piano 40 1910 Frank Corry 140 1912 W. Priestly 60 1913 P.B. Henry 60 1920 Ern. Tamme 50 1921 Lou Clifford 120 1922 Jack Fitzgerald Scr 1923 Dick Ford 120 1923 Pidge Davis 200 1925 Frank Corry 140 1925 Eric Giboud 60 1927 Bowie Stevens 70 1927 Cecil Hannerman 160 1927 Cecil Manners 245 1929 H. "Fatty" Lamb 30 1936 Keith Thurgood 100 1936 Harry Webb 70 1937 Jack Gardiner 205 1938 Jack Middleton 120 1939 Clinton Beasley 90 1940 Norm Stevens 20 1941 Ken Stewart 60 1942 Mick Bradley 160 1944 Norm Munro 90 1944 Tas. Johnson 30 1945 Tom Shillito 160 1946 Pat Devine 120 1947 George Bull 130 1948 Bill Kirkham 120 1950 Byron Bonney 120 1951 Kevin Marion 105 1952 Doug Jennings 120 1953 Tom Fitzgerald 140 1954 Alan Geddes 130 1955 Ron Murray 100 1956 Don Meharg 130 1957 John Robertson 100 1958 Neil Geraghty 100 1959 Vin Beasley 100 1960 David Good 100 1961 Fred Roche 40 1962 Sid Patterson Scr. 1963 Fred Hellyer 110 1964 Sid Patterson Scr. 1965 Kenton Smith 135 1966 Bill Dove 150 1967 Vic Browne 65 1968 Merv. Andrea 230 1969 Charlie Walsh 50 1970 Bill Stevens 35 1971 Frank Daly 135 1972 Geoff Edmonds 20 1973 Gordon Johnson Scr. 1974 Ivan Collings 90 1975 Craig Price 130 1976 David Allan 70 1977 Danny Clark Scr. 1978 David Sanders 50 (Metres) 1979 Laurie Venn Scr. 1980 Daryl Benson 90 1981 Laurie Venn Scr. 1982 Steele Bishop Scr. 1983 Phil. Sawyer Scr. 1984 Terry Schintler 80 1985 Allan Rackstraw 80 1986 Danny Clark Scr. 1987 Simon King 110 1988 Stephen Pate Scr. 1989 Grant Reynolds 150 1990 Danny Clark Scr. 1991 Stephen Pate Minus 10 1992 Bert Glennon 120 1993 Stephen Pate Minus 20 1994 Ashley Harding 140 1995 Tony Hughes 80 1996 Troy Clarke 45 1997 Matthew Atkins 100 1998 Shane Hodskiss 75 1999 Stephen Pate Scr. 2000 Gary Neiwand 70 Information courtesy of Cyclists International
Tasmanian track carnivalsWhile some folks were busy with Christmas festivities between Boxing Day (December 26) last year, and the new year, others were busy trying their luck and legs in the Tasmanian Christmas Carnival Series in Australia. The Tassie carnivals feature some of the world's oldest running track races, although the Victorians would probably argue with that (see above). For example, the Latrobe Wheelrace is over a hundred years old, and is one of the most prestigious and richest races on the calendar ($AU 12,000). Several high profile cyclists raced the series this year, including Scott McGrory, Brett Aitken, Jame Carney, Matthew Gilmore, Shane Kelly and Danny Clark. Some of them were looking to maintain form between the European Six Day racing Christmas break, while others were lured by the money on offer and the chance to race in summer in December. Tasmanian freelance journalist, Rod Morris has been covering the carnivals over the summer and he was able to supply cyclingnews.com with the complete results of all the races held so far (there are still three carnivals to come). He also wrote the following item which is a review of the series thus far. American ace heralds Tassie New Year By Rod Morris American Olympian Jame Carney celebrated his "apprenticeship" with victory in the time-honoured $7000 Burnie Wheelrace on January 1. Carney, one of America's most decorated track riders, produced a barnstorming finish to pinch the 3000 m handicap title of former winner Robert Wilson (90 m) and ex-Launceston rider Nathan Hodskiss (240 m). Carney has been competing at the Tasmanian Carnivals for three successive seasons but victory in the major wheels had eluded him, although he had played a large hand in other results over the past 36 months. His only other win in Tasmania was the 2000 Hobart Wheel on the small New Town track. The American was one of five scratchmen to qualify for the Burnie Wheel final, but his task was made much easier with the blistering turn of pace provided by former World champion Shane Kelly over the first 1000 m. Kelly's ride was one of the best ever seen at Burnie and Carney's ultimate victory was in no small way, due to Kelly. Earlier in the Carnival series, former Devonport Wheel winner Grant Young became the oldest ever winner of the $12,000 Latrobe Wheel. Young (36) has only recently returned to track racing from a five year layoff, due to injury, lack of interest and a change in employment. But that didn't stop him and his well drilled co-middle markers holding off seven scratchmen in the 3000 m final on December 27. Young had a luxury mark of 210 m and although "touched about" by the handicapper post-race - he didn't care. "It doesn't matter what I ride off now, I've won what I wanted to," Young said. Young comes from a famous cycling family, with his late father Viv, his uncle Darrell and first cousins Jason and Darren all former winners of major Tasmanian handicap wheelraces. Scott McGrory and Daniel Cutting filled the minor placings behind Young. The Carnival actually started at Latrobe on Boxing Day with Sydney Olympic Gold Medallist Brett Aitken winning the 2000 m A.J. Clarke & Sons Handicap before rain shortened the programme. Day one of the carnival was marred by a nasty fall in the last heat of the Latrobe Wheel. Three riders came down with veteran world star Danny Clark the worst casualty with a broken collarbone and ribs. His absence from competing at the remainder of the carnivals robbed organisers of potentially 10,000 spectators. The Launceston Carnival was not hindered by the climate and 17-year-old West Tamar rider Abram Manion blitzed a star studded field to win the $3000 Launceston Wheelrace over 2000 m. Aitken's fellow gold medallist from Sydney, Scott McGrory repeated his second placing behind Grant Young when he couldn't catch Manion on the line. The travelling carnival sideshow moved to Devonport on Tasmania's North-West Coast on December 29-30 for two nights of superb action. With running also on the programme, the Devonport Athletic Club attracted 11 Sydney Olympians to Tasmania. The main wheelrace on night one was the Kym Smoker Memorial Mersey Wheel over 2000 m and carrying $3000 prizemoney. Brett Aitken, who never seems to be out of form, won narrowly from Jame Carney, while local Tasmanian riders Stephen Pearce and Dwayne Crawford dead-heated for third. With $5000 up for grabs, the Devonport Wheelrace (3000 m) was always going to be a hard fought affair. Seven scratchmen again qualified for the final, but it wasn't till the last 10 m of the race that Matthew Gilmore edged past Stephen Pearce (180 m) to snatch victory. Aitken's form continued to grab third. Gilmore, born in Belgium but raised in Launceston is torn between two countries and actually has dual citizenship. In Sydney last September, Gilmore rode for Belgium and won a Silver Medal in the Madison. His victory in the Devonport Wheel capped off earlier wins in the Latrobe, Launceston and Burnie wheels and he is one of only four riders to have won "Tasmania's Grand Slam." Summary More than 25,000 attended the Tasmanian Christmas Series, which was hailed as one of the best on record. In the scratch races, New South Wales' rider Jeff Hopkins was the most consistent with two wins and a third from six races, although Jame Carney had one win and three seconds and Brett Aitken, one win and three thirds. Some new stars emerged as well as old faces winning major titles. One of the freshest new faces was that of young Victorian Mark French, who won no less than six races in six days and scored two other minor placings. Jonathon Clarke - son of former Australian scratchmen Hilton Clarke - showed he will also be a star of the future, while Daniel Newnham (Qld) and Tasmanians John Kingston, Adrian Morrisby, Ron Crawford, Andrew Loft and Mark Jamieson all produced some exciting rides throughout the series. In the all-girl's racing, there was none more consistent that Rochelle Gilmore, who won five races. Winnings The unofficial prizemoney "Top 10" included the following riders - $8100 - Grant Young (Tasmania) Tasmanian calendar 2000/2001 December 2 - Devonport
Carnival These races are also listed on the cyclingnews track calendar Wojciechowski suspendedPolish rider Dariusz Wojciechowski who rode for Mroz last year has been suspended for 7 months by the Polish Cycling Federation for doping. The winner of the 2000 Commonwealth Bank Cycle Classic tested positive to stanozol in the Karkonosze Tour in Poland in July last year. He will be out of competition until July 31, 2001. |