News for January 20, 2001Recent results and new features Luke Roberts interview: Home Sweet Home
By Jeff Jones & John Doggett-Williams 23 year old South Australian Luke Roberts achieved his goal in the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under yesterday by winning a stage. The 157 kilometre leg from Unley to Strathalbyn saw Roberts make the final move with less than 5 kilometres to go, and he used his track experience to good advantage in his joust with Marcel Gono for line honours. For Roberts and the University of South Australia sponsored team, it was a big victory, as they turned their aggression of previous stages into something more than a black jersey. The main climb of the day was Old Willinga Hill, and several cracks appeared in the peloton (again). Roberts struggled up the climb, as he related after the race: "A group of 20 to 30 got over in front of me but I was with a big group of guys. I knew if we began working together we'd get back in front," he said. Of course, being a home town lad helps a little, as the crowd was certainly out in force. "For sure. It's unreal having a race like this in your home town. It's one for the locals," he added, also shrugging off the riders' biggest worry: "The heat today was 39 degrees or something and it hasn't bothered me at all. I probably drunk a little bit more water than usual but that's nothing out of the ordinary." Of the team's sponsors, who have been thoroughly enjoying the race so far, Roberts said that it was "great to have a sponsor like the Uni of SA to support a team in this sort of race. We're really grateful." Roberts rated himself as a chance in the stage: "It was in the back of my mind that today could be the day...I came tenth yesterday so I was thinking 'I've got a bit of form there in the finishes'." There is always an element of luck in making the final break, but the team had been trying relentlessly. "All my teammates have been riding well as a team, sending one guy up the road. Russell (Van Hout) went about 15k out make a break of it, then unfortunately they got caught so I was virtually part of the next move, and I went straight over the top." "I remembered this finish from a couple of years ago. I knew it was a fair way from that corner and Marcel (Gono) and Trent (Wilson) hit out before the corner. I thought they were going a bit too early for the corner - Trent nearly lost it and I was on the edge of my tyres going through there as well. Marcel came out with a bit of a gap so I started running at him but I thought the CSC was going to hold me out against the barrier. But I had enough." Australians have figured prominently in the race so far, holding every jersey yesterday but the yellow. This is no great surprise as the Australians are in the middle of the summer season. However, the Europeans have not come here just to train, and we should see some spirited riding from CSC, Mapei, Saeco, and Credit Agricole today. Many are tipping Daniele Nardello (Mapei) to launch a powerful attack today over the two climbs of Menglers Hill, and perhaps secure the yellow jersey. However, there are realistically still 12 riders in contention for the overall and as usual, anything could happen. Today's stage from Gawler to Tanunda should be one of the most spectacular of the JCTDU. Tune in once again for our special live coverage. Cofidis to have "33 leaders"But Millar and Moncoutié will lead the leaders Cofidis presented its squad for 2001 on Friday. Cofidis president François Migraine described the new squad as a team that will rely more than ever "on the solidarity of the riders," adding that after the team's unfortunate spell with Frank Vandenbroucke as team leader in 2000, "there would be no single leader, but 33 leaders." That ought to make for some interesting arguments about who fetches the bidons then. A major aim for Cofidis, one of three French teams in the UCI first division, is to reach the UCI top 10 after its 14th position in 2000. The two Davids, Millar and Moncoutié, are expected to perform well in the Tour and with riders like Planckeart, Mattan and Gaumont on the squad, the classics will not be neglected. Cofidis has been rumoured to be talking to Richard Virenque, but Migraine was non-comittal: "The door is not closed, but there is nothing at the moment. He is currently suspended. It is too early." Here's the full Cofidis line-up for 2001: Road riders Daniel Atienza (Spa) Track riders Mickaël Bourgain (Fra) Management Directeur sportif: Bernard Quilfen Domo-Farm Frites 2001Lefevere's Belgian dream team With Johan Museeuw, Axel Merckx and world champion Romans Vainsteins in its ranks, Patrick Lefevere's Domo-farm Frite's squad is finally the major Belgian team he has always dreamed of, he said at the team's launch on Friday. "For several years I have had the ambition to build another Belgian division I team that could stand against Lotto. With the contribution of Domo and the involvement of farm Frites, we can introduce an ambitious team." Romans Vainsteins will be one of the major players. "Last season, he was too alone. In Domo, surrounded by experienced riders, he will cause damage. It would be wonderful if he could start the season by taking Milan-San Remo while wearing the rainbow jersey!" said Lefevere. Vainstains won't be the only Domo rider aiming for the Classics. Johan Museeuw, an almost-miraculous figure in the peloton after his recovery from last year's motor bike accident, is feeling good and looking to figure in the Spring races. "Johan made enormous scarifices to return to form, "said Lefevere. "He will be ready to go for victories in the spring, particularly the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix." Belgian champion Axel Merckx is also looking like a serious contender this year. "I know now that I am able to win the big races, but I am keeping my feet on the ground," said Merckx. "For each season you have to start from zero." Merckx wants to shine in the Ardennes classics before concentrating on the big objective: the Tour de France. Participation in the Tour is one of Lefevere's priorities. "Missing the Tour would be a catastrophe for a team of our calibre," he explained. "Even if we don't qualify, I think we will receive a wildcard invitation from the organisers."
Riders Dave Bruylandts (Bel) Management General manager: Patrick Lefevere Fassa Bortolo gear up
The Italian Fassa Bortolo team has finished its first training camp for 2001 in Tuscany, training three to five hours per day in poor weather. The team travelled to Spresiano (near Treviso, in Veneto) for its official team presentation tomorrow (Saturday, January 20) at 11 am in the Management offices of Fassa Bortolo Group. Watch this space for a special cyclingnews.com report on the event. "We did a lot of good work in spite of the bad weather," said satisfied team manager, Giancarlo Ferretti at the finish of the 10 day camp. "The cyclists ride between three and five hours every day. The weather was not so good: wind, showers and chilly temperatures... not ideal conditions for training sessions!" Rider groups were separated, depending on their programs for the coming season. Some of them, like Baldato, Ivanov, Konychev, Petacchi and Tosatto, are working hard to be competitive in the first races. Others, like Casagrande and Belli, are doing easier training sessions because they have to be in form later on in the season. New Fassa Bortolo rider, Ivan Basso is one of the best prepared: "I feel very good, I'm confident with my new Team," he said "and I think I will be competitive from the very beginning of the season". His first race is Donoratico on the 4th of February. Then he will ride the Tour Méditerrannéen and the Trofeo Laigueglia. The team will hold another training camp from February 3 - 11, still in Tuscany, at Marina di Bibbona. Gone in sixty secondsTournant wants sub-minute kilo World sprint champion Arnaud Tournant has announced his intention to go after a new kilometer record. Tournant currently holds the world record at 1 minute 0.148 second. "148 thousandths of a second too much" he quipped at the Cofidis team launch Friday. Tournant's intention is to crack the one minute barrier and he intends to head for one of the high-altitude tracks, either Mexico City or Bogota, in May or June to take a crack at the record. Tournant's team-mate Laurent Gané will probably go for the 200m record at the same time. Museeuw on the recovery roadThe team comes first, says The Man In an interview with AFP, Johan Museeuw says he's feeling good, but still has a long way to go before he truly returns to the top level. After breaking his collarbone, fibula and ribs and suffering a brain haemorrhage in a motorbike crash last year, he's lucky to be alive, so a return to the pro peloton is little short of miraculous. Museeuw went through two months of tough rehabilitation before he was able to riude again, and the first few riders were hard. "I suffered, but my body responded well," he said. A turning point was Domo's training camp in Majorca, the first time Museeuw was able to ride with others. "That went well but I am realistic: there is a still a lot of work to before I return to the top level." Museeuw found motivation in the desire to help Patrick Lefevere with his dream of a great Belgian team, and also wanted to prove that even at 35 he is still capable of great things on a bike. The goal of returning to racing was also a great boost, mentally and physically, in the recovery process. But his ambitions for the coming season are not over-reaching. "I'm not going to say today that I will win the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. I'll know in the first races in Spain what I am capable of. But this season, the team is more important than Johan Museeuw. Of course I will play my personal card according to the races, but I will also be an advisor for the young riders and a team-member for the other leaders when circumstances demand it." ONCE gets a new doctorTop Spanish team ONCE has signed a new doctor, to reinforce the existing team of Nicolas Terrados and Kepa Zelaia. 37 year old Alberto Garai will participate in the team's annual training camp that starts next week, in preparation for the first race of the year in Mallorca (February 4). The sports medicine specialist with 13 years of professional experience will work with the team throughout the 2001 season.
Vuelta a MallorcaThe Vuelta a Mallorca is a series of five separate races, taking place from February 5-8 on the Spanish island. It starts with a traditional 80 kilometre circuit race in Palma's Paseo Marítimo, just enough to usher the riders in to the 2001 season. On Monday, February 5, there will be a 180 kilometre race from Manacor to Can Picafort, the longest day of the whole tour. The Coll d'Honor (km 81.5) and Coll de Sa Batalla (km 126) climbs are the main obstacles to overcome. The third race will start in Cala Bona on February 6, taking the riders 163 kilometres to the finish in Cala Rajada. There are only two 4th category mountains to overcome, at Son Tovell (km 17) and Son Morell (km 141). However, the penultimate race will be harder, starting in Alcudia and taking in the first category climb of Puig Major as well as Valldemossa (km 50) and the Coll de Sóller (km 90), before finishing in Port d'Alcudia after 172 km. The finale on February 8 will start and finish in Palmanova, a 153 kilometre stage with three second category climbs: Coll de Galilea (km.16), Coll de Sa Gramola (km 58), Coll de sa Creu (km 109) and the third category Coll de sa Bastida.
Vuelta a AndalucíaAlso known as the "Ruta Ciclista Del Sol", the 47th edition of the Vuelta a Andalucía will take place between February 18-22 on the Spanish calendar. Several big names are scheduled to ride this prestigious event, including Vuelta Espana winner, Roberto Heras (US Postal), former world champion Oscar Freire (Mapei), Erik Zabel (Telekom), and Russians Pavel Tonkov (Mercury) and Vjatcheslav Ekimov (US Postal). The five day race is 851 kilometres, beginning on February 18 with a stage from Cordoba-Cordoba, followed by stages from Sevilla- N.S. Araceli (Lucena), Luque-Jaen, Cabra-Benalmadena, and Humilladero-Granada.
Procter & Gamble upgrade
The other new rider in the team is British Columbia's Stacey Spencer, who has won two Canadian National Criterium titles and a ride in Le Grande Boucle. The remainder of the five woman roster is Cheryl Binney, Kori Kelly, and Mina Pizzini, who are aiming to build on the team's 2000 results. "I believe that the experience we gained together last year will carry over and only help us for this year," said team captain Kelly. "The team's strengths will be single-day events; we hope to be a force in criteriums and road races." The Procter & Gamble/Women's Health Cycling Team has also added both a manager (Podium Sports Management) and a team director (Al Boucher) for the 2001 season. Boucher's work begins on March 10 at the Sequoia Classic, as the Procter & Gamble/Women's Health Cycling Team makes its 2001 national debut. The team will also compete in the Redlands Classic (March 13-18), Another Dam Race (March 23-25), and the Solano Cycling Classic (March 29-April 1). Sponsors Procter & Gamble (women's health products) Trek supports grass-rootsAiming to build on its success in sponsoring Lance Armstrong's US Postal squad, Trek has created the Trek Volkswagen Regional Road Program, an initiative that will assist twelve regional road teams affiliated with Trek dealers. Trek will coordinate the teams' needs through their managers and act as a liaison between the teams and sponsors. In addition, Trek will provide each team with Trek 5200 US Postal Edition OCLV road bikes, Nike technical clothing and footwear, helmets, casual clothing and a team tent. Volkswagen will provide financial support and ten custom painted and decaled Passat Wagons. Nike and PowerBar will also join as program sponsors. The Northeast division of the program will be managed by the Galaxy Sports Marketing Semi Pro Cycling Team. Galaxy was recently joined by Anton Villatoro, a former Armstrong team-mate. Recent results and new features on cyclingnews |
