News for March 2, 2001Recent results and new features Heras: "Armstrong is the undisputed leader"US Postal's Roberto Heras has allayed even the merest hint of suspicion that he might want to challenge Lance Armstrong in the Tour de France, stating that: "In the Tour, Armstrong is the unquestioned leader. I will try to help him in every way to gain the third victory." However, Heras hopes to be at "one hundred percent fitness" in time for the Vuelta a Espaņa, where he will attempt to repeat his 2000 triumph. He, like Armstrong, has yet to commence racing this year, although he will do so in this Sunday's Classica Almeria. This will give him a day's racing before the Tour of Murcia that starts in the middle of next week. He commented that he was adapting quite well to the American team, and is very happy with his "new companions." In addition, he holds no resentment to his former team Kelme, despite the contractual wrangles that delayed his licence. Heras also took part in the protest in Madrid last weekend with some 10,000 other cyclists who were demonstrating for safer roads in Spain after the tragic accident involving the Ochoa brothers Ricardo and Javier. "I think this time that they are going to listen to us and that we are going to get the results that we want," said Heras about the safety problem.
More Italian Olympic team files seizedIt's not just Pantani - two other members of the Italian Olympic road squad have had their medical dossiers seized by the NAS in Florence. Prosecutor Pierguido Soprani ordered the seizure of the files of Paolo Bettini and Francesco Casagrande from CONI's Institute of Sports Science. Soprani is investigating the hematocrit values of all the cyclists at the time of the Olympics in September last year. According to reports, the investigations were actually opened by Soprani before he read the letter from Professor Mario Cazzola, a hematologist at the University of Padua, who believed that Pantani had abnormal blood values just prior to the Olympics and should not have raced. Cazzola stated that Pantani had his hematocrit and haemoglobin elevated by 10 percent, with a corresponding "decrease in erythropoetic activity". However, Casagrande and Bettini's values were also reportedly "slightly abnormal", prompting the seizure of the files. On the other hand, Danilo Di Luca and Michele Bartoli's health surveys did not exhibit any abnormalities, and they will not be investigated. Meanwhile Pantani (despite not actually signing on before stage 3) is "calm and tranquil" whilst racing in Valencia, according to manager Manuela Ronchi. Although his legs feel good, he is still suffering from a slight respiratory problem, and there was never any intention of finishing the race.
Verbruggen considers suing VoetUCI president Hein Verbruggen is considering suing Willy Voet over comments he has made in a Dutch VARA TV program. In it, Voet accuses the UCI of "hushing up doping use", but Verbruggen refuses to accept this. "I told the judge in Lille in November under oath what really happened," said the UCI president. "There was no admission by the UCI of a post-dated medical test for Laurent Brochard in 1997, after he should have tested positive. If Mr Voet keeps saying the UCI is doing these sorts of things, he says I commit perjury. If he repeats this statement I think we have the duty to sue him." The program, "Het Zwarte Schaap" (The Black Sheep) will be screened on Nederland 3 on Friday, March 2.
Hein's grand planIn between overseeing bids for the 2008 Olympics and contemplating lawsuits against Willy Voet, IOC member and UCI president Hein Verbruggen has also outlined his plans for the future of cycling. Over the next four years, he wishes to do more than just modify the calendar and trade team structure, as the following list shows.
Sourkov expelled from ValenciaLa Pecol's Youri Sourkov has been thrown out of the Vuelta Valenciana for "unsportsmanlike behaviour" as well as copping a fine of 20,000 pesetas ($US110). Sourkov attacked (not in the cycling sense...) another cyclist after 93 kilometres at the beginning of the Puerto de Confrides climb. Two other cyclists were also fined today: Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) and Jose Luis Rubiera (US Postal) for not signing on. They have to pay the UCI 10,000 pesetas ($US55).
Professional Cycling Tour looks solid for 2001By Tim Maloney, cyclingnews.com correspondent Threshold Sports announced the 2001 Professional Cycling Tour today in a news conference in Philadelphia, PA. The PCT is a 14 event national cycling series that begins in March at the Sea Otter Classic in California and finishes in October in Coconut Grove, Florida. Considered the premier cycling event in the US, the PCT also includes the world renowned flagship event of the PCT, the First Union Series from 5-10 June and the BMC Software Grand Prix. Threshold managing partner Dave Chauner told the assembled media that "we have linked together the top events that define cycling in America... like the PGA in golf and ATP in tennis, we have brought together these high profile events in the PCT that provide definition to world class cycling in America." When Chauner was asked if Lance Armstrong would participate in the PCT, he replied that "Lance will ride the Ride For The Roses Criterium in April, which is part of the BMC Software Grand Prix, and possibly a few other PCT events." Although not yet confirmed, Lance may choose high-profile events such as the New York City championships on August 2 and San Francisco Grand Prix on September 9. With an overall prize list of over $600,000 for the PCT, top US teams like USPS, defending champ Gord Fraser and his Mercury-Viatel squad, Saturn, Navigators and other domestic teams will face off against top teams like Mapei-Quick Step, Domo-Farm Frites, Festina, CSC-World On Line and others to provide world class competition. With a wide variety of courses over the 14 race series, the 2001 Professional Cycling Tour doesn't really favor one type of rider in particular, according to event director Robin Morton. Last year's runner-up in the Women's USPRO Cycling Tour, Tina Mayolo of Autotrader.com is looking to this years Women's PCT. "I'm really excited," Mayolo said." It sounds like a really fun season this year." Scott Moninger, fresh from the Tour Of Langkawi told the assembled media that "it's great that Mercury is involved (as official automobile sponsor of the 2001 PCT) and with defending champ Gord Fraser and Henk Vogels, along with guys like Baden Cooke and Jamie Drew, we will be competitive again this year." You can follow the 2001 Professional Cycling Tour on their website: www.usprocyclingtour.com and get full details on all the events that "define cycling in America."
Fassa Bortolo forge relationship with Selle ItaliaA new agreement has been signed between the Fassa Bortolo and Selle Italia-Pacific teams, in order to give Fassa Bortolo options to sign the best riders from South America from Selle Italia. Selle Italia is managed by Gianni Savio, responsible for the "discoveries" of Andrea Tafi, Venezuelan Leonardo Sierra, Colombian Cacaito Rodriguez and Latvian World Champion Romans Vainsteins. "We want to keep our eye on the South American countries as well," said Team Manager Giancarlo Ferretti, whose team also contains many Eastern European riders. "I have never had riders from these parts but I think it's interesting to have a link with this part of the world". This agreement is designed to enhance the existing relationships between Fassa Bortolo and smaller teams with developing riders, such as Zalf Fior and De Nardi
Foot and Mouth problems in UKThe following statements have been issued by the BCF in relation to the outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in the UK. The British Cycling Federation (BCF) has been advised by MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) to ask all cyclists to avoid trips to the countryside in any form (on foot, on bike or by car) wherever possible, even if the intended journey is restricted to roads. MAFF have pointed out that this is a request and that they cannot currently enforce it in any way. However, in view of the seriousness of the situation, the British Cycling Federation urges all cyclists to follow MAFF's advice. The implications of the current Foot and Mouth outbreak are clearly serious for cycling in virtually every form and for cycle sport in particular. With the Road and Mountain bike seasons getting underway, we are monitoring the situation very carefully and will be in regular touch with MAFF. In the meantime, if you need urgent advice from MAFF they can be contacted on a special Foot and Mouth helpline, 0845 050 4141. Foot and Mouth Cancellations: Abergavenny off too! The CC Abergavenny Handicap Series Event 1 on Saturday 17 March has joined the list of events cancelled due to the Foot and Mouth outbreak. Events 2 and 3, on 24th and 31st March respectively are obviously under threat and Mark Adams of the WCU suggests anyone who has entered these events or intends travelling to spectate gets in touch with the race organiser, Bill Owen on 01873 840530. Other events off so far are the Bristol Road Club Severn Bridge Road Race scheduled for Sunday 4th March and Mid Devon CC's Springtime Pursuit Race on the same day. Our advice to all riders is to contact race organisers before travelling to any races in the near future.
jane train in rainBy John Alsedek, cyclingnews.com correspondent
Team Jane Cosmetics completed its first training camp for 2001 in San Diego last weekend amidst rain and unseasonably cool temperatures. However, it was the first chance that the entire squad had to ride together and was considered a success by all. "I was just amazed at the way the girls just clicked immediately!" said team manager Karen Menge, obviously happy with the "chemistry" of the team. Several of the new members knew each other from previous teams, such as Julie Hanson and Sue Palmer-Komar who were former teammates with Saturn, while Odessa Gunn and Erin Mirabella both rode for Timex last year.
Besides the requisite training rides and meetings, the Jane Cosmetics camp also hosted a reception on Saturday afternoon that was attended by most of the team's sponsors, including Jane Cosmetics President & CEO Howard Katkov, an avid cyclist himself who has been backing the team and its parent organization, Swami's Cycling Club, since 1996. However, perhaps the high point of the camp was a team dinner at the fabulous Encinitas hillside home of Swami's board member Henry Chang that gave the riders their first chance to hone their teamwork skills - though in the kitchen instead of on the road. "We didn't burn the place down, so I guess that means we passed", joked Caren Spore afterwards. As they ate and chatted, team members were treated to piano selections ranging from Chopin to Gershwin, courtesy of Chang. The Jane Cosmetics Cycling Team officially kicks off the 2001 season with the McLane Pacific Classic in Merced, CA this coming weekend, followed by the Sequoia Cycling Classic (March 10-11), the Redlands Classic (March 13-18), the Sea Otter Classic (March 22-24), and the Solano Cycling Classic (March 29-April 1).
McLane Pacific Cycling ClassicWhile part of the Mercury-Viatel team will be laying it out under threatening weather on the cobbles of Het Volk this weekend, the other part will be enjoying sunny skies at the 2001 McLane Pacific in Merced, California. Sunny doesn't mean easy, as Mercury-Viatel will be facing a full field of 150 of the USA's best cycling teams including Saturn, Navigators, 7-UP/Colorado Cyclist, Prime Alliance, and Lombardi Sports. Navigators is sending defending McLane Pacific GP Champion Todd Littlehales, but the going for Navigators may not be as easy as 2000, as Mercury-Viatel is sending two-time McLane Pacific GP Champion John Peters, sprinting superstar Gord Fraser, and Giro d'Italia and Tour veteran Chann McRae. For the following week after the McLane weekend, prior to the Sequoia Classic in Visalia (just 1.5 hrs south of Merced), the Navigators will be staying in Merced for a small training camp. The Navigators will be enjoying the rolling foothills of the Sierra Nevadas that lie just to the east of Merced. Last year the race was greeted with sunny skies, but winds up to 25 pm/h in the road race, shredding the 120 man field down to just 20 finishers. This year looks to be similar, as the small hosting town of Merced has been having very stormy weather lately with high winds. The forecast for this weekend looks to be clear for the Downtown GP on Saturday and a light system of winds moving in on Sunday for the road race. In central California this time of year - that means real winds, that will more than likely send the racers into gutters and echelons. Well maybe Omloop Het Volk and McLane Pacific aren't that far apart after all...
GAP/Strictly Bicycles TeamThe GAP/Strictly Bicycles is a new squad for the 2001/2002 season. Comprised of a Cat. 1/2 and a 3/4 team, this group of riders competes out of the NYC and New Jersey area. They are primarily aiming for the North-East calendar as well as the National and International level. The team is primarily supported by international clothing label GAP, as well as Strictly Bicycles and Marin. Team Roster Cat 1/2 Pedro Arias Cat 3/4 Nathan Brauer Sponsors GAP clothing Contact: Chadwick S. Davis
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