News for March 23, 2001Recent results and new features Foot and mouth: cancellations spread to NetherlandsEurope's foot and mouth outbreak has spread to the Netherlands causing Dutch governing body KNWU to cancel three races this weekend. The cancelled events are: Börkeromloop: start and finish in Westerbork These three races cover more ground than others over the weekend — races with shorter courses have not been cancelled. The KNWU has said it will monitor the foot and mouth situation on a day-to-day basis. 2002 cyclo-cross World CupThe UCI has announced details of next season's cyclo-cross World Cup series, after a two day meeting of the organisation's cyclo-cross committee in Lausanne, Switzerland. There will be a World Cup series for women for the first time, including rounds in Wortegem-Petegem. Belgium; Nommay, France; Wetzikon, Switzerland and Heerlen, Netherlands. The men's world cup schedule is: 17 November: Monopoli, Italy One major rule change has been announced: in the men's races, two pit areas per race will be allowed. Wild card for Bankgiroloterij - BatavusDutch division II squad Bankgiroloterij - Batavus has been granted a wildcard start in the Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour des Flandres/Tour of Flanders). A pleased team manager Arend Scheppink put it down to the team's good results so far this season: "First we did it well in the Omloop Het Volk with Pieter de Vries, than Martin van Steen won the Omloop van het Waasland and on Wednesday Bart Voskamp came second in Nokere. These results had an effect on the organizers of the Ronde van Vlaanderen." Bankgiroloterij Batavus already has a start permit for the Amstel Gold race, so the team's program of Spring Classics is looking pretty hjealthy. The next target, according to Scheppink: "Paris-Roubaix." Milan-San Remo changesThe Cofidis team for Milan San Remo will include Chris Peers or Jo Planckaert but not ArnaudTrentin. Philippe Gaumont and Massimiliano Lelli will also be included. Credit Agricole will only field six riders instead of the permitted eight because of illness. Festina's presence will include André Korff, either David Plaza Romero or José Luis Rebollo Aguado, but not Ivan Sastre Estevez. New Zealand MTBers petition for changeNew Zealand opposition MP Dr Nick Smith has organised a petition to be submitted to the House of Representatives, that puts forward the motion "That Parliament remove the total prohibition of mountain bikes in National Parks by reviewing the outdated definition of vehicle that classifies bikes with trucks, cars and buses and instead includes mountain bikers with skiers, shooters, helicopters and fishers as a discretionary activity and allowed in Parks where the ecological impact and effect on other recreationalists is small." Although this will target a general law change, it is hoped that the initial changes will occur in the Kahurangi National Park where access to the Heaphy track is an issue. The petition and motion is intended to put pressure on the New Zealand Conservation Authority, which sets the rules for national parks. According to a report in New Zealand newspaper The Nelson Times, Dr Smith, a mountain bike enthusiast, has been campaigning for a purpose-built mountain bike track to be developed in Kahurangi National Park since late last year. He has partial support from rival MPs Damien O'Connor (Labour) and Rod Donald who have agreed that the issue of mountain bikes in national parks should be discussed. Dr Smith said it was hoped that the petition would add momentum to the request. He said it seemed ridiculous that landing a helicopter, skiing, shooting and fishing were all discretionary activities in national parks but mountain biking was banned. If you are interested in getting copies of the petition to sign please contact Dr Smith's office: Hon. Dr. Nick Smith UK foot and mouth situation improving slowlyThere's light at the end of the tunnel for UK riders rendered inactive by the foot and mouth disease restrictions. The Forestry Commission, which controls a significant number of mountain bike racing venues, has published a list of forests that have been reopened, and the UK government, possibly realising it has scared everyone into staying in the cities, has launched a campaign to restore tourist activity to the countryside. The Forestry Commission says it is reopening forests "where it is safe to do so". Most of the reopened forests are in Scotland, but the list includes Kesteven Forest in Lincolnshire, and some Welsh forests are expected to be opened in the next few days. Meanwhile, the UK government said, "The outbreak of foot-and-mouth is a critical problem for farming and rural communities. Halting it is a top government priority. But visits to the countryside are not banned. Hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, pubs shops and other businesses are suffering badly because people are staying away. They need your custom." "Many attractions, including stately homes and museums, are open. Many sporting and other events can take place as normal. "You can freely drive, cycle and walk along tarmac roads and visit country towns, villages and seaside resorts. "Most footpaths are currently closed, but some may open soon. Where sites are open, you can also stay in tents or caravans, or go sailing, rowing or canoeing." UK details According to Chris Landon of the WCU the restrictions situation in Wales is easing considerably. He confirms that the Bynea (April 1) and Denbigh (April 22) road races look like they are to go ahead. The BCF advises riders looking to ride these or any other road races in Wales to contact the event organisers for the latest situation. The BCF also suggests for all Lake District events riders should check with organisers one month before each race. MTB NPS XC # 2 postponed However, many events remain cancelled, and mountain bike races in particular are badly affected. Mountain bike National Points Series Cross-Country round 2 has been postponed until further notice. The Margam Park venue will remain closed past the event's scheduled dates of April 14/15. Anyone who has already entered will be informed in writing and will have the option of having their cheque returned. A decision on the Pateley Bridge round will be taken April 16. The BCF's full list of cancellations, announced yesterday is:
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