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French sprinters Arnaud Tournant (23) and Arnaud Dublé (21) have smashed two track speed records on the high altitude (3,417m) velodrome in La Paz, Bolivia. Tournant became the first rider ever to go under one minute for the standing start 1,000 metre time trial, clocking 58.875 seconds to break his own record of 1.00.148 set in Mexico last year. Tournant's average speed was 61.146 km/h.
Tournant was preceded by Arnaud Dublé, who broke Russian Alexandre Kiritchenko's long lasting record for the flying 500 metres, riding 25.850 seconds, nearly one second faster than the Russian's time of 26.649 seconds. Dublé averaged 69.63 km/h in his attempt.
However, Laurent Gané failed in his bid today to break Curtis Harnett's 200 metre time of 9.865 seconds.
More photos from this attempt
The time trial events so far at the World's have demonstrated how tough this course is. The average speeds have been approximately 3 km/h slower than last year in Plouay, due to the hilly, technical nature of the parcours. The strongest riders have of course prevailed, with Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli, Nicole Cooke, Danny Pate and Jurgen van den Broeck the gold medallists so far.
So who will win in tomorrow's men's TT? The smart money is on German powerhouse Jan Ullrich, who is in excellent condition at the moment. Knowing his luck, he'll be beaten into second place by any one of a number of favourites: Levi Leipheimer and Jonathan Vaughters (USA), David Plaza (Spain), Florent Brard (France), David Millar (GBr), Santiago Botero (Col) or defending champion Serguei Gontchar (Ukr). There have been a few surprises in these championships so far, and tomorrow could bring another one.
Ullrich commented on the TT parcours: "Quite tricky, many corners, a mini-mountain time trial. I did not train for it specifically. I feel stronger for the road race - which I am speculating on."
"I have brought several bikes. I will probably not use my special aerodynamic time-trial machine, but my Aluminium bike, which is 900 grams lighter."
"I already shocked the Italians a little with my victories in the preparation races for the World's. There I knew that I can race the here for the win."
One of Ullrich's rivals, Florent Brard (France), was circumspect about his chances of victory: "In terms of a place, I don't know how I will go. I would not put myself in contention to win but I would like to be in the top 10. In the top 5 would be a nice surprise."
"I have never ridden a time trial like this. The course is hard but it is not very long, and will be less than an hour."
Spanish favourite in the women's time trial, Joane Somarriba, crashed during her ride today and was taken to Lisbon hospital for X-rays. Somarriba fell on the first descent, but wasn't believed to be badly hurt.
Australia's hopes in Sunday's road race will now likely rest on Cadel Evans' shoulders, after Scott Sunderland announced his withdrawal today. Sunderland, who has been the most consistent Australian rider all season, became ill last week and has been unable to ride at all since Paris-Bourges. It is a bitter disappointment for him, as he was looking to improve on his seventh place from last year on a circuit favourable to his abilities.
According to Italian team, Cantina Tollo-Acqua & Sapone, Gilberto Simoni (Lampre) will not be riding for them next year. Although it's certain that Simoni will be leaving Lampre, the rumours in the Italian press that Acqua & Sapone would pick him up have turned out to be false. The main reason is the arrival of Mario Cipollini, who will be a key figure in the team and requires plenty of sprinting support.
According to Darren Tulett of Bloomberg News, team spokesman Massimo Giulietti said that "It would be difficult for us to split our energies between two champions like Cipollini and Simoni. That wouldn't be a good strategy."
Simoni will decide his future after the World Championships in Lisbon, where he is part of the Italian team in the road race.
Belgian team Lotto-Adecco will not hire any more new riders for next season, announcing that its roster is complete. The new riders are Peter Van Petegem, Christophe Detilloux (Collstrop), Tom Stremersch (Vlaanderen-T-Interim), Stefan Van Dijk (Bankgiroloterij), Aart Vierhouten (Rabobank), Frederic Amorison and Kevin Van Impe (neo-pro's). Danish rider Tayeb Braikia, who was injured shortly after Lotto hired him at the beginning of the season, will probably sign a contract within the next few days.
Mario Aerts, Serge Baguet, Christophe Brandt, Glenn d'Hollander, Hans de Clercq, Nico Eeckhout, Gorik Gardeyn, Thierry Marichal, Guennadi Mikhailov, Andrei Tchmil, Kurt Van De Wouwer, Fulco Van Gulik, Kurt Van Lancker, Wesley Van Speybroeck, Ief Verbrugghe, Rik Verbrugghe, and Steve Vermaut are staying.
Jeroen Blijlevens, Fabien De Waele, Roel Paulissen, Hendrik Van Dijck and Paul Van Hyfte are all leaving the team.
As reported earlier, the Lotto team will be riding Litespeed bikes next season.
Estonian Andrus Aug (Amore & Vita) who has had eight wins in this year, signed a one year contract with Italian team De Nardi-Pasta Montegrappa.
Courtesy of Jaan Martinson, SL Ohtuleht
Former French champion Charly Mottet announced today that he would resign from the Société du Tour de France, in which he formed part of the race direction. Mottet cited family reasons and other work pressures (Dauphiné Libére, UCI) as the reason for his departure from the position that he held since 1995. He will be succeeded by Daniel Baal, who was hired by the organisation earlier this year.
The race leader of the Vuelta España will wear a white jersey in 2002, according to the organisers. The reason is to celebrate 100 years of the Real Madrid club, which has white as its main colour. There will be a stage that finishes in front of the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid next year.
After seven years with the Volvo/Cannondale Mountain Bike Racing Team, Charlie Livermore has resigned his position as Team Manager. Livermore will leave Team Sports, Inc., the management company of the team, effective October 31, 2001 to pursue new opportunities.
"After seven wonderful years with the Volvo/Cannondale Team, I have decided that it's time to move on to new ventures," said Livermore in a statement. "These past seven years have given me so much: a lifetime of stories and unforgettable experiences, the highest high's, a global perspective of life, a boat load of victories and most importantly, a handful of people I now consider family."
After one year as Team soigneur and six as Team Manager, Livermore led the Volvo/Cannondale team to more World Cup victories than any other team in mountain bike history. Highlights of his tenure also include the 1999 season when the Volvo/Cannondale team reached the #1 status in the downhill, dual, and cross country disciplines. The team was also the World's top cross country team for three consecutive years, 1998-2000.
Under Livermore's guidance the Volvo/Cannondale team won an incredible 72 World Cup events, 15 World Cup titles, 7 World Championships, and 2 Olympic medals
"Charlie has done incredible things for the Volvo/Cannondale program," said Tom Schuler, General Manager of the Volvo/Cannondale Team. "He was a true leader for the team and staff and dedicated himself to their success. I know he will surely succeed in his next opportunity. But he will be sorely missed by the staff and athletes, and all of us at Team Sports."
The Volvo/Cannondale Team will continue to focus its efforts on World Cup competition next year, while broadening its efforts at the grassroots level. The roster will remain largely intact in 2002 with descenders Cedric Gracia and Anne-Caroline Chausson, cross country riders Cadel Evans, Kashi Leuchs, Christoph Sauser and Tinker Juarez and trials riders Martyn Ashton and Lance Trappe.
The Mid-Atlantic Cyclocross Championship Series (MAC) makes a stop in Granogue, Delaware on October 14. The Granogue race is the second race of the series and is expected to draw the top riders from the Mid-Atlantic area.
167 riders showed up to race last week in Round 1 of the series. Ryan DeWald (Beans Reinhardt) captured the win in the Elite Men's race with Kris Auer (LSV/Trek/VW) finishing strong in second place. Mike Yozell (Guys Bicycles) finished third.
In the Elite Women's race, Jennifer Dial (Independent Fabrications) established an early lead that continued to grow throughout the length of the race. Josie Shew (First State Velo) rode a tough race to finish second. Jennifer Leonard (Evolution Racing) finished third.
With Jennifer Dial's recent relocation to the Mid-Atlantic area, she is expected to be one of the top contenders for the Elite Women's title. Missing from Round 1 but expected to defend her 2000 MAC title is Katie Compton. Katie is also the 2000 Espoir National Champion
Racing starts at The Granogue Challenge at 9am with the Elite Women's race starting at 12pm. The Elite Men get under way at 1pm. The series returns to the Delaware area on October 21st with Subaru Cyclo-Cross at Monkey Hill, a race that always draws the top national riders as well as international competition.
The MAC series is the region's most prestigious cyclocross series and includes events in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Virginia.
Sunday, Oct. 7, 2001: Hickory Run Cross Newtown, PA
Sunday, Oct. 14, 2001: Granogue Challenge Granogue,DE
Saturday, Oct. 20, 2001: Beacon Cross Bridgeton, NJ
Sunday, Oct. 22, 2001: Subaru Cyclo-Cross at Monkey Hill (UCI) Wilmington,DE
Sunday, Oct. 28, 2001: All Hallows Cross Reston, VA
Sunday, Nov. 4, 2001: Highland Park Highland Park, NJ
Saturday, Nov. 10, 2001: Chameleon Cross (UCI) Landisville, PA
Sunday, Nov. 11, 2001: Marysville Cross Marysville, PA
Saturday, Nov. 24, 2001: Regional Cup Hamilton, NJ
Sunday, Dec. 2, 2001: Phelps School Cross Malvern, PA
Sunday, Dec. 9, 2001: First State Velo Fair Hill, MD
Sunday, Dec. 30, 2001: Cocoa Cross Hershey, PA
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
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