News for January 9, 2001UCI Cyclocross rankingsThe latest cyclocross rankings have been released by the UCI after Sunday's World Cup race in Zeddam, the Netherlands. Leading the way still is Richard Groenendaal, who has had a slight dent put in his score by the rising Sven Nijs, who is now clearly in second place. Third is the other "Super Mario" of the 'cross scene, Mario de Clercq, while Bart Wellens and Erwin Vervecken follow. Rankings as of January 7, 2001 1 Richard Groenendaal (Ned) 2238 2 Sven Nijs (Bel) 1486 3 Mario De Clercq (Bel) 1413 4 Bart Wellens (Bel) 1348 5 Erwin Vervecken (Bel) 1221 6 Daniele Pontoni (Ita) 885 7 Peter Van Santvliet (Bel) 769 8 Tom Vannoppen (Bel) 708 9 Petr Dlask (Cze) 671 10 Gerben De Knegt (Ned) 527 Nations 1 Belgium 6,237.00 2 Netherlands 3,787.00 3 Czech Republic 1,832.00 4 Italy 1,720.00 5 Switzerland 1,355.00 Wüst trainingThe good news for injured sprinter Marcel Wüst is that he is training again with his Festina team in Mallorca. However, the bad news is that he rates the chance of continuing his career at only 10-20 percent, as he still cannot see out of his right eye. However, he can lift his eyelid a little, which is a slight improvement. He will transfer to a Festina team training camp on the Spanish mainland on January 9, where he will discuss his options for the future, including working with Festina team management. He also said that he has had offers from other cycling teams for various roles. In February he will undergo another medical examination at the University of Cologne Hospital, where he was operated on several times after his accident last August.
Piet de Bruijne reflectsPiet de Bruijne was the director of Farm Frites last year and he didn't have a fantastic season as principal sponsor (3.4 million Euro). De Bruijne gave his thoughts on last season in an interview with De Telegraaf. "I'm glad that the name of Farm Frites is on the Domo jersey this coming season. Last year I was scared to read newspapers or watch the news on TV," he said. "Even on my wedding anniversary I was confronted with bad news. Scandal after scandal, and it didn't stop." "On the day after the finish of the Tour Tour de France 2000, I drove my car to Amstelveen, the home town of Peter Post, our advisor. Thankfully he was at home. 'You have to help me', I said." "I'm glad he said yes, otherwise I would have stopped as sponsor! We didn't know about the plans of Patrick Lefevere, but you can believe that we are glad six Dutch riders will now start in the new Domo/Farm Frites team," said De Bruijn.
US Cyclocross World's teamThe eight riders to represent the USA at the World's have been revealed, although an official announcement is yet to be made by USA cycling. The Team Elite Men Dale Knapp (Kona/VoiceStream) Elite Women Ann Grande (Kona/VoiceStream) U-23 (Espoirs) Alan Obye (Team Grimace) Juniors Jeremy Powers (Team Devo) Wiggins awardedTwenty year old Bradley Wiggins, who became Britain's youngest Olympic medal at the last Olympics, has been voted 'Best of British' by Britain's biggest cycling magazine, Cycling Weekly. He won the poll by a huge margin, but was surprised by his "What a way to start the year with my first professional team (Linda McCartney-Jacob's Creek). I will do my very best to live up to the belief the readers and supporters have in me," said Wiggins who has just joined his new team in France where he will be based His management companies, Sport & Publicity and Athletes 1 were similarly impressed, "To win the poll was a remarkable achievement. Brad hasn't always got credit he deserves, especially considering his age. So this is the icing on the cake, and what a way to start the New Year," said Richard Allchin and Mike Townley. Olympic Gold Medal winner Jason Queally and Tour de France stage one winner and Yellow jersey holder, David Millar received the other major male awards as expected, but the reader's choice went to Wiggins, showing that he is a rider with a future. Bradley's main aims for the coming seasons include winning a Gold Medal in the team pursuit at the World's this year and making a big impression in road racing on the European continent. The individual pursuit in Athens in 2004 and the Commonwealth Games in 2002 are titles he is also determined to win, and from there perhaps a Yellow jersey or a stage win in the Tour de France as well as being a Classics contender. Big plans for a 20 year old, but the 1998 Junior World Pursuit champion has the talent and determination to succeed at the very highest level.
Hervé to ride French championshipsThis coming weekend will see many European nations hold their national cyclocross championships, and these will be important selection races for the upcoming World Championships in Tabor, Czech Republic next month. Frenchman Pascal Hervé, who is currently in limbo awaiting a decision on a doping suspension by the FFC, will ride the championships in the colours of AC Chatellerault. Kappes may complainGerman professional, Andreas Kappes was acquitted of doping last December of doping when it was found that a supplement that he was taking contained traces of Nandrolone. He is now considering lodging a complaint against the manufacturer of the food supplement, although it may not go to court. Telekom's Rolf Aldag said that "Andreas became a victim. In his place I would have sued." Both riders will race in the upcoming Six Days of Bremen (January 11-16), with Kappes partnering Andreas Beikirch and Aldag to ride with Silvio Martinello.
New German division III teamThere will be a new German third division team this season, Team Athleticum Principia, which is moving up from the amateur to the professional ranks. Although the differences between good amateur teams and third division pro teams are usually minimal, the new status will allow them to race in events such as the Niedersachsen Rundfahrt and the Sachsen tour. The team will be only one of two German third division teams in the peloton, together with DHfK Leipzig. Team roster Markus Ganser |