News for January 8, 200121st Tour of MurciaIt is possible that this year's edition of the Tour of Murcia in Spain could see a rare "clash of the giants". Held between March 7-11, the tour has Jan Ullrich, Lance Armstrong and Marco Pantani as probable starters - every Tour de France winner since 1997. However, the tour is still two months away and that opposing magnetism that seems to govern such riders may yet exert its force. It will be Ullrich's first race of the season, and he has just commenced phase two of his preparation in Majorca. He and 15 other members of Team Telekom arrived there on the weekend for a two week training camp. Ullrich intends on building on his training kilometres after spending three weeks in South Africa, where he will return at the beginning of February. The stages Stage 1 - March 7: Murcia - Aguilas, 146.9 km No Tchmil in TDUAndrei Tchmil will not be joining his Lotto team in the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under that starts in just over a week's time. The Belgian has been experiencing knee pain during training, and decided not to make the trip. He must rest for at least a week in order not to aggravate the injury. His replacement in the Lotto squad will be Glenn d'Hollander.
Merckx at RTTC
Eddy Merckx was the guest of Honour at the Road Time Trials Council (National Governing body for Cycling Time Trials in England and Wales) "Champions Night" held in the Assembly Rooms, Derby, England. Former International Phil Griffiths and Commonwealth Games medalist was instrumental in getting Merckx to attend the function that saw 500+ including Chris Boardman and Yvonne McGregor sitting down for dinner. Merckx presented prizes to numerous prizewinners including Boardman himself who won the innaugral RTTC Circuit Championship last September. An impressive photographic display was matched only by a display of bikes that included both Merckx's and Boradman's hour record machines. U.S. World's 'cross team needs supportWith the World Cyclocross championships in Tabor (Cze) scheduled in under a month's time, there are strong rumours that only five of the eligible eight members of the U.S. Cyclocross team will be funded for their travel by USA Cycling. Therefore, the American Cyclocross Foundation has decided to try and raise some extra funding to ensure a full and paid participation for the eight riders, who are yet to be named. The American Cyclo-cross Foundation is a private group set up to funnel donations from cyclocross fans to World's bound racers. It has $2745 in its coffers at the moment, and needs a further $1755 to ensure that the remaining three World's riders receive $1500 each to cover their expenses. Previous grant recipients have included Johnny Sundt, Jed Sheckler, Jen Dial, Alan Obye, Carmen Richardson, Alex Candelario, Emily Thorne, Justin Thompson and Tim Johnson. Spokesman Patrick O'Grady (Mad Dog Media) affirmed that "every penny raised goes to the riders. The ACF board of directors takes no administrative expenses from donations; indeed, several of us are donors like everyone else." For more about the ACF and its mission, e-mail O'Grady at ogrady@maddogmedia.com, or visit the foundation's website. Funds to support world's-bound racers may be sent in care of the American Cyclo-cross Foundation, account number 103-555-5, Colorado Mountain Bank, 1000 Main Street, Westcliffe, CO 81252. Be sure to include the ACF's account number on your checks. The ACF also accepts donations through PayPal. Click through to PayPal, click on "Send Money," and follow the instructions. You'll need the ACF's e-mail address (velodog@ris.net) Van Kessel to juniors?The KNWU (Dutch Cycling Federation) have asked Egon van Kessel to become their national junior coach. The former directeur sportif of Farm Frites has to think about it, because he has another offer from the Tegeltoko team.
Van den Brand signs and winsDaphny van den Brand won her first race as a Farm Frites-Hartol rider, the World Cup cyclocross race in Zeddam, Netherlands today. She officially signed a one year contract for the team on Saturday, the day before the World Cup. 22 year old Van den Brand is the current Dutch champion, and is an off-road specialist. She is aiming to repeat her National Championship win, and hopefully carry that through to the World Championships in Tabor next month.
St Quentin-Oktos finalisesFrench division II team, St Quentin-Oktos has named its 2001 roster, with just three riders remaining from last year: Oleg Kozlitine (Kaz), Vincent Templier (Fra), and Jérôme Désjardins (Fra). Jean Michel Thilloy will probably retire, while Cédric Célarier is going back to the elite 2 ranks. Their first training camp will be held in Alés in the south of France, from January 28 to February 4. The team's racing program will be mainly based in France and Belgium with participation in Paris Roubaix and Paris Tours. Team roster
Oleg Kozlitine (Kaz) Nettisport almost completeThe new Portuguese team, União Ciclista Ibérica-Nettisport has now signed 11 riders to its roster. Along with Joaquim Gomes, Joaquim Andrade and Quintino Rodrigues, the team has contracted Alberto Amaral and Daniel Bayes Prat (Benfica), Alvaro Forner (Kelme), Massimo Sorice (MAT/Ceresit CCC), Hélder Miranda, Stefano Venturni and Fernando Mota dos Santos (LA Pecol), and Gines Salmeron Martinez (Jazztel). In addition, former Benfica riders Giuseppe Di Fresco and José Antonio Garrido Lima will both likely sign for Nettisport. The team will likely start in division II this season.
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