|
|
|
Jacky "Dudu" Durand (Francaise des Jeux) goes into tomorrow's Paris-Tours classic as the only Frenchman to have won it since 1956. Durand pulled off the feat in 1998 when he attacked with Italian Mirko Gualdi with 30 kilometres to go, beating him in the sprint. It was a popular victory in France and one that he would like to repeat on Sunday.
He readily admits that there are only a few World Cup races that are actually suited to his abilities - Ronde van Vlaanderen (which he won in 1992), Paris-Roubaix, and Paris-Tours. He has not had great success in Paris-Roubaix, his best place being 20th in 1997, but the long, flat roads of Paris-Tours combined with a few hills in the last 60 kilometres and a good chance of a tailwind are perfect for him.
The trademark, but rarely successful Dudu style is to attack early in a race and hope he can keep his pistons turning fast enough and for long enough to win. It can work, as he first showed in the Ronde van Vlaanderen and on several occasions since, but his 1998 Paris-Tours win came from attacking at the end of the race.
"I will look at the weather, I will look at the strong riders present," he said in a pre-race interview. "There are many parameters that determine whether I will attack or not. If there is a headwind, I will not jump and I will wait for the final kilometres. One thing is clear, it is that I will not await the finishing straight of Grammont because the sprinters will be on their terrain."
Durand tips the riders that have good legs from the Vuelta España to win. "The big rouleurs or sprinters. Zabel will likely be surrounded by a large team that will only think of bringing back everyone on the last straight. A rider like Teutenberg (Festina) can also succeed because he climbs the small hills well and is fast. The number one favourite is Zabel!"
He has not yet signed a contract for next season with La Francaise des Jeux, although the team will continue. He says that there are some "differing points of view" between himself and the team management, thus the 34 year old gives himself only a couple of chances to stay in the peloton next season. "I am waiting for Paris-Tours, after that we will see," he concluded.
Paris-Tours will be covered live on Cyclingnews from 14:30 CEST/05:30 USA West Coast/08:30 USA East Coast/22:30 Australia East Coast.
Start List and History
Course Map and Profile
 |
Italian technical director Franco Ballerini is satisfied with the performance of his riders in the lead up to the World Championships next week. Despite only winning one stage of the Giro di Lucca, Italian national team members were prominent in many of the breakaways, showing that they had the correct form.
"I must say that I am very content," said Ballerini. "Because in this race I had asked neither victories or important placings: instead all that happened and more. The main reason I am happy is that gli azzurri were the protagonists in all the major escapes."
Ballerini is happy because the team seems to be happy to work for the common goal next Sunday. He has not even named his two reserves for the road race, preferring to keep everyone on edge so that they all focus on the race. "I think it is an important psychological key," he commented.
National selector Francisco Antequera has named his team for the World Championships, following the Subida Naranco today. It includes Oscar Freire, Oscar Sevilla, Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano, Joseba Beloki, Angel Casero and Jose Luis Rubiera and looks to be a very strong team on paper.
Time Trial
Santos Gonzalez (ONCE)
David Plaza (Festina)
Road Race
Oscar Sevilla (Kelme)
Angel Vicioso (Kelme)
Oscar Freire (Mapei)
Manuel Beltran (Mapei)
Angel Casero (Festina)
Inigo Cuesta (Cofidis)
José Luis Rubiera (US Postal)
Santiago Blanco (iBanesto.com)
Aitor Osa (iBanesto.com)
Rafael Diaz Justo (ONCE)
Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (ONCE)
Joseba Beloki (ONCE)
Time trial
Anna Millward (Saturn)
Sarah Carrigan
Road Race
Anna Millward (Saturn)
Sara Carrigan
Haley Rutherford
Kim Shirley
Kristy Scrymgeour (Saturn)
Margret Hemsley (Farm Frites-Hartol)
Katie Mactier
 |
Australian team captain Anna Millward suffered a setback in her preparation for the World Championships this week after her Team Saturn Lemond racing bike was stolen from the team hotel in Lisbon. Anna is obviously disappointed - She has her spare bike to race on in the road race (October 13) but the race bike was a little better.
If there are any avid racing fans in Lisbon that have spotted it, then please report it to the police who are aware of its disappearance.
Successful French trackies, Arnaud Tournant, Laurent Gané and Arnaud Dublé (Cofidis) will attempt to break the world records in the flying 200 metre and standing 1,000 metre time trials in Bolivia next week. The trio will ride on the Alto Irpavi velodrome, located in a suburb of La Paz, at an altitude of 3,477 metres. The 333 metre track is 24 years old, being constructed in 1977.
In its history, eight world records have been set on the track, including four by Colombian professional D. Rueda Efrain. He rode 1.05.100 for the 1,000 metre time trial in 1986, at which time he also broke the flying 200 metre (10.567), 500 metre (27.432) and 1,000 metre (58.269) records, although the latter is no longer recognised. Note that the amateur records at this time, some of which were set on this track, were slightly faster.
It's possible that Tournant will become the first cyclist to break 1 minute for the standing start 1,000 metre time trial - he has already ridden a time of 1.00.148 in Mexico in June 2000. He is in good form after picking up three World Championships in Antwerp recently and together with his companions hopes to lower some of the speed records by mid-next week.
Johan Capiot is ready to leave the Dutch Bankgiroloterij Team if the team doesn't attract more riders for next year. The uncertainly about Bankgiroloterij's status next year, and the recent remarks made by Capiot have annoyed the team management.
While manager Arend Scheppink announced several weeks ago that he wants to continue working with only 12 riders, Team director Johan Capiot says it is necessary to have 16 riders for the next season. According to Capiot it would be a serious step back if Scheppink remains stubborn.
Scheppink is filled with indignation from Capiot's words. "Those are not my words. At the moment it is just not realistic to talk about 16 riders. I have a contract with 10 riders now and can offer two more guys a spot. Capiot might have different ideas; but I'm the one responsible in the end. I know what is realistic."
It looks like Capiot wants to give his team manager a wake-up call and he wants to stress the fact that it is vital to the team to get into first category.
"Look, as team director I'm responsible for what the team does. We have showed that we could handle the first division. It's up to Arend Scheppink to find us more money so we can get there."
Arend Scheppink is careful in his predictions. On the October 21 he'll know whether Bankgiroloterij wants to increase their financial input in the team. "Of course that is very late," said Scheppink. "But I could also say I'm stopping with the team; now that wouldn't serve Dutch cycling at all."
Capiot has made it clear that he is ready to leave BankGiroloterij in case another first category team wants to have him on board.
Richard Virenque has enjoyed a solid comeback to racing in the latter half of the season with the Domo-Farm Frites team, although he has not yet signed a contract for next year. However in a pre-Paris-Tours statement, Virenque indicated that things at Domo were good and he may sign for them before the week is out.
"My stay with Domo has been positive," he said. "I fit in well in this team, the leaders are content with me. But I have to examine all the proposals."
U.S. Postal Service star George Hincapie will be just one of the many top riders in attendance at the upcoming Michelin Cycling Classic, October 13-14 in Greenville, SC.
Hincapie, a Greenville area resident who finished second in the event last year, will be joined by U.S. Postal Service teammate Christian Van de Velde, as well as by some of North America's elite. Defending Michelin Cycling Classic champion Todd Littlehales (Navigators), 2000 Olympic gold medalist Marty Nothstein, reigning USCF Elite National Criterium Champion Benjamin Sharpe (Gomart), '96 Tour DuPont stage winner Chris Horner (Prime Alliance), and Italian pro Roberto DiGiovani will be among those looking to keep Hincapie, the recent winner of the San Francisco Grand Prix, from stepping onto the top of the podium in his hometown.
But the pros may get a surprise of their own, as Greenville's own Team Fairway, which includes 2001 National Time Trial Champion Pat McCallion, is primed to pull off the upset and ride away with the victory in one of the Southeast's biggest events.
The women's field also looks to be highly competitive. 2000 winners Tina Mayolo (AutoTrader.com) and Shannon Hutchison (Litespeed) will be returning after successful seasons to date - Mayolo won the Manhattan Beach Grand Prix, while Hutchison took bronze at August's Criterium Nationals. However, they'll be hard-pressed by the likes of Masters World Road Champion Christina Underwood (Fuji) and the Gatorade/Olbas team, which will include 2000 Junior Worlds silver medalist Ashley Kimmet.
Now in its 17th year, the Michelin Cycling Classic events will take place on a one kilometre course in beautiful downtown Greenville. Over 650 riders from 26 states and six nations will be competing in the weekend's events, which will include all categories, as well as children's races. There is also Bicycle Safety World, a program presented by the Greenville Hospital System that encourages children and their parents to wear helmets when cycling. Over 100 helmets will be given away as part of the children's events.
Major Races and Events
September 7-29, 2002: Vuelta
a España (GT) - Preview, stage list
May 11-June 2, 2002: Giro
d'Italia (GT) - Preview, stage list, photos
July 6-28, 2002: Tour
de France (GT) - Full preview & official route details
December 8: Superprestige
Rd 5 (Cat. 1) - Erwin Vervecken
November 29-December 4: Six
Days of Noumea (6D) - Sassone/Neuville victorious
November 26-December 1: Six
Days of Zurich (6D) - Day
6 - McGrory/Gilmore/Schnider win
December 1: Melbourne
Cup on Wheels (IM) - Scott Moller, Keirin,
Sprint, Support
races
December 2: Cyclo-cross
World Cup #2 (CDM) - Sven Nijs again
November 24-December 3: Juegos
Deportivos Centroamericanos (JR) - Final results
December 8-9: Frankfurter
Rad-Cross (Cat. 2) - Alex Mudroch, UK
National Trophy Series #4 (Cat. 3) - Roger Hammond, Grote
Prijs Industrie Bosduin - Kalmthout (Cat. 1) - Bart Wellens, Int.
Radquer Obergösgen (Cat. 2) - Björn Rondelez, Trofeo
Mamma e Papa Guerciotti (Cat. 3) - Enrico Franzoi, Premio
Egondo (Cat 3) - David Seco, Irish
cyclo-cross championships - Robin Seymour
Results: local racing
Australia - CycleWest
Promotions Omnium Series #2, Eastern
Suburbs Summer Criterium Series, Carnegie
Caulfield Tuesday criterium, Southern
Cross Junior Track Open & Madison Cup, Manly
Warringah CC, George
Town Track Carnival, Carnegie
Caulfield CC, Randwick
Botany CC, Gold
Coast CATS CC, Caesar's
Illawarra CC, Caesar's
Illawarra (track)
Denmark - Danish
cyclo-cross Post Cup #3
Italy - Gran
Premio Città di Bassano
Luxembourg - GP
De Kopstal
New Zealand - Cyco
Criterium series
Spain - Elorrio
cyclo-cross
USA - Georgia
Cross Series Championship, Chimborazo
Grand Prix cyclo-cross, Boulder
Cross Rd 6, New
Mexico State Cyclo-x Champs, Sorrento
Cyclo-x & California State Champ's, Boulder
Cross Rd 5, Verge
New England series, Northampton
CC Cyclo-cross Championships, Chris
Cross International CycloCross
Recently on Cyclingnews
Latest Photos - Olympic
Armstrong, Boulder & California 'cross, More Pan-Am, Canberra, Boston & REI
'cross (December 13)
Cyclingnews survey -
Reader Poll 2001 - Vote for your favourite riders
Letters
- VDB, Lance, Boring Tour, Coastal Post, Respect (December 13)
Cyclingnews Interview
- Ryan Bayley - the KFC-fuelled world champ (December 13)
Cyclingnews Interview
- David McKenzie - Macca's back (December 12)
Cyclingnews Interview
- Laurent Jalabert - Jalabert looks ahead (December 11)
Cyclingnews Interview
- Charly Wegelius - A coffee stop with Charly (December 8)
Cyclingnews
Interview - Sven Montgomery - Moving up in the world (December 6)
Cyclingnews Interview
- Rochelle Gilmore - Road scholar (December 6)
Tales from the Peloton
- 12 Hours of Oleta - MTB endurance race in Miami (December 6)
Tales from the Peloton
- Tony Cruz - back to his roots (December 7)
Marco Polo
Diary - Tour du Faso - Part II - Nathan Dahlberg's report (December 3)
Tech
maintenance - Wheels - how to keep them true and tight
Tech letters
- Headsets, Pegoretti, Carbon cage, gloves & tubes (December 10)
Tech news - Navigators
power-tap, Headsets, Carbon cages (December 7)
Tech- Recycling
- How to protect your chainstay for free
Tech Reviews:
Egg Beater pedals; Park
Tool belt; Shimano shoes;
Speedplay
Breaking
the Chain - Dope planning and testing - From Willy Voet's book
| Home Search Survey Contact us |