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José María Jiménez (iBanesto.com, 1st stage)
"I already have fulfilled my objectives and I am content with the three stages that I have won, although there is still the stage to Aitana, which is one that I like and I am going to try and win it."
"I am the one who has won the most mountain stages, therefore I am strongest in this terrain, but to say I am the best in the world is difficult, because cycling goes according to the wind: sometimes I can do well while at other times others dominate."
Angel Casero (Festina, 2nd GC)
"I rode very evenly throughout the whole stage. I am satisfied because we had set a limit of up to 20 seconds and this race was his [Sevilla's] territory."
"I think I can come out well from the Pyrenees. I am finding it very good, in terrain which I did not think I would do so well, the mountains. There are other mountain stages left and I think that I am going to lose a minimal amount of time. It will be necessary to fight until the end of the year."
Joseba Beloki (ONCE, 26th GC)
"These past two days have been a constant nightmare. Everything points to a virus. It is not normal that someone loses so much in just two days."
As far as retiring from the race, "Everything will depend on the results of the analyses that will take place tomorrow. I am convinced that yesterday I was bad for a little while, perhaps partly assisted by the excessive responsibility."
Vicente Belda (Kelme director)
"We came out of it well and 40 seconds are 40 seconds. But the battle is even and there is still a lot of the Vuelta left, it is necessary to hope for our possibilities."
"You always have your doubts and with Sevilla's youth in this type of time trial he could have cracked. But he held off the pressure and climbed very well."
"In the flat time trials Sevilla doesn't go too badly. There are still two mountain finishes left in Aitana and Abantos, and those could help him, but there are also dangerous stages with the wind."
Johan Bruyneel (USPS director)
"Roberto [Heras] tried to do what he could but he broke down with four kilometres to go. He had good split times, equal to Chechu (Rubiera), but on the easiest part of the climb, he lost time. The last four kilometres were not so steep but he lost some time there."
"He was disappointed after the race, obviously. He wanted to try and race a good time trial, but Jimenez is really strong right now. However, with Levi in fourth, Roberto in sixth and ninth for Chechu, we should be very pleased. In the coming mountain stages, we can try to attack and win a stage with one of those three guys, but it is not going to be easy. Still, there are 10 days to go, and we can expect anything."
"Chechu is getting better and better. If he wasn't sick for two days, he might otherwise also be in the top five. I think we have to be happy with three in the top 10 and with aspirations for a podium finish."
"Levi is staying steady and consistent. If he doesn't lose time in the two uphill finishes (stages 15 and 20), he has a big possibility to finish on the podium in Madrid, especially with the finishing time trial (on September 30)."
Stage 12
- Live Report
Stage 12 - Full
results & report
With his three mountain-top stage wins in this year's Vuelta, José-Maria Jimenez now has eight such victories (plus one flat stage). He as thus surpassed Toni Rominger's record of six wins, and may extend this before the Vuelta finishes.
The Relax Fuenlabrada team has faxed an apology to the ONCE team, after public declarations were made by Relax team manager Jose Maria Perez that appeared to cast doubt on Olano's 1995 World's victory. Perez said that it was "a shame that a rider won a World Championship with a 61 percent hematocrit level. Now he is only allowed 50 and Olano not only can't climb any more, he also can't do well against the clock."
Whether he meant them or not, Perez quickly regretted those comments, and his team asked ONCE to forgive them in a fairly detailed letter. They also expressed their "admiration for Abraham" according to ONCE manager Pablo Anton who also hopes that the Spanish Federation will start an investigation into the matter. "We have in the meantime studied our legal options," he added.
Anton also commented about Joseba Beloki's astonishing failure in stage 11, which he hasn't recovered from. Beloki will continue the race as "He is a born fighter, a gladiator who dies in the sand."
"He was not well yesterday almost from the start. He knew the route like the back of his hand and for that reason was nervous, and blocked. On the last climb, without pressure, he was better. There are neither natural nor medical explanations. We are not going to look for excuses, he knew these stages."
"He will recover bit by bit with the support we are giving him. We told him that he has given us a lot of happiness, but in this sport you go from glory to disaster at the speed of the light."
Italian doctor Michele Ferrari will appear in court in Bologna on Friday, to answer charges of sporting fraud. However, his defence lawyers have already requested that his hearing be suspended to a later date, and this is probable.
The investigation into Dr Ferrari was started in 1998 by judge Massimo Poppi, after a preliminary survey was carried out by the Italian anti-narcotics brigade (NAS) and prosecutor Giovanni Spinosa. Dr Ferrari is suspected of having administered doping substances (DHEA, IGF-1, androstene, growth hormones and corticosteroids) to approximately 20 top level cyclists during the 1990's, including Abraham Olano, Mario Cipollini, Paolo Savoldelli, Pavel Tonkov, Tony Rominger, Axel Merckx, Gianni Bugno and Claudio Chiappucci.
He has also had dealings with triple Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, who has repeatedly said that "In my eyes, he's an innocent man. Until the end of the trial, I will not change my views. I will not condemn a man before he has been judged."
If Dr Ferrari is found guilty under the Italian anti-doping law, he faces between three months and three years in prison.
The Scott Sunderland versus Cees Priem case was heard in the Correctional Court in Tongeren at 11:00 am on Thursday morning. In April 2001, Priem was found guilty of "unintentionally injuring" Scott during the 1998 Amstel Gold Race. Priem was fined, was ordered to pay a provisional amount of BEF750,000 ($US17,000) to AXA/Royale Belge, the insurance company of Palmans-Ideal which has paid the major medical costs, and BEF750,000 to Scott. However, Priem appealed part of the decision and the case was heard again today.
Three judges watched video footage of the crash several times, and again asked Priem to explain what happened. "Sunderland was not following the group and swung across to the right", he said. "It was impossible for me to avoid him, because I might have run down a spectator beside the road".
He said he did see "a rider" fall but that he didn't see who it was, even though Scott had been sitting in front of his rider Van Petegem for a long time. Priem also said that he hadn't noticed that Scott fell because he touched his bumper, thus he didn't feel he had to stop. He admitted he had tried to keep his rider out of the wind as long as possible and drove closely by his side while bringing him back to the lead group.
The Crown Prosecutor believed the footage proved the opposite of what Mr Priem was claiming and considered it to be a definite case of hit and run. She asked the judge to find Cees Priem guilty of dangerous driving, involuntary injuring and hit and run. She also asked to revoke Cees Priem's right to drive a vehicle.
Cees Priem's solicitor made a long plea in which she said that the race director was wrong in fining Priem for his dangerous driving after repeatedly warning him during the race. She claimed that Sunderland had been imprudent and he should have known there was a car coming up behind him.
The judges closed the hearing at 12:30, and the ruling is expected in mid-October.
Peter Van Petegem will ride next year for Lotto-Addecco. He signed a contract on Thursday evening for one year. Van Petegem will ride out the rest of the season with Collstrop-Palmans, after leaving Mercury last week.
Manager Christophe Sercu told Gazet van Antwerpen that "With the arrival of Peter van Petegem we have got a 'big bird'. I can say that the team as well the rider will bring each other more value. With Van Petegem we always have someone who will be strong in the classics. He is the 23rd rider that we have signed for next season. We will be strong next year."
It has been confirmed that Gilberto Simoni will ride with Cantina Tollo-Acqua e Sapone next season, after he was not announced in Lampre's 2002 line up yesterday. The Giro 2001 winner will join super sprinter Mario Cipollini in the team, according to team spokesman Massimo Giulietti.
According to Bloomberg News' Darren Tulett, Manager Vincenzo Santoni is negotiating the final details with the 30-year-old Simoni. There should be an official announcement by the end of next week, Giulietti said.
The arrival of Cipollini and Simoni, who is ranked 5th in the world, will enable the Acqua e Sapone team to ensure its place in the first division (30 teams), with the possibility of reaching the top 10. Members of this so-called 'top club' of teams will gain automatic starts in all the major races (Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, Vuelta España, World Cups).
French cyclist Cédric Vasseur, who did not have his contract renewed with US Postal, has signed with Cofidis for two years. The 31 year old yellow jersey wearer in the 1997 Tour de France was not selected in US Postal's team for this year's Tour, and publicly expressed his annoyance.
Cofidis manager Alain Bondue commented that "After two years of riding for one leader, he can ride for himself. In our team, everyone can be a leader, there are more chances because we ride for whoever is in form." More transfers
Carlos Sastre (ONCE) who placed second in today's stage 12 of the Vuelta, will join CSC-Tiscali next year. David Plaza (Festina) will sign for Team Coast, after turning down an offer from Telekom.
By Tim Maloney, cyclingnews.com correspondent
News from the Milan trade show is that it's almost certain that Marco Pantani and his bike sponsor Bianchi will divorce next season, and Pantani will go back to Wilier Triestina. The price for bike sponsorship of top teams now is a minimum of US$500,000. Where will Bianchi go? Some sources say Lotto-Adecco, which is losing GT after the company went bankrupt. However, US company Litespeed may pick up where GT left off.
Former Festina sponsor Specialized is rumoured to have signed a mega-deal with Acqua e Sapone, the team of Gilberto Simoni and Mario Cipollini in 2002.
Michelin has gotten very aggressive with their tyre program and have managed to get Mapei away from Vittoria for a lot of money and unlimited tires.
Michele Bartoli has definitely signed a 'letter of intent' for Fassa Bortolo, but will not make the official announcement until after the World Championships in Lisbon.
Italian rider Dario Frigo, fired by Fassa Bortolo in June after he admitted having (but not taking) prohibited substances during the Giro d'Italia San Remo N.A.S. raid announced in a press conference yesterday at the Milano EICMA bike show that he would be back in the saddle again next season with Tacconi Sport-Vini Caldirola.
"I am very happy to have reached an accord with Tacconi Sport-Vini Caldirola for 2002...when I was out of the sport, it was my love of cycling that kept me going; I had so many supportive telephone calls that I could keep my enthusiasm. Anyone can make a mistake like I did and I won't do it again."
As in 2001, Frigo will concentrate on the Giro d'Italia.
(Thanks also to Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Pier Bergonzi)
A meeting took place today between Team Manager Alvaro Crespi and the President of Belgian flooring company Quick Step, Frans De Cock, in which a new contract for the 2002 season was signed.
Mr Giorgio Squinzi, president of the Mapei Group, is very happy with the continuing support from Quick Step. "Quick Step has been co-sponsoring for the last three years and it is nice to have such an excellent rapport with a prestigious international company that is a laminate sector leader."
The opening race of the Belgian season, Omloop Het Volk, will for the next three years finish in Lokeren (near Gent). Lokeren mayor Filip Anthuenis said that "There is the possibility that we will finalise a contract for six years. We have a verbal agreement with the organisers of the race for the next three years, but we have not yet signed a contract. I must first get the approval of the council, but I think that there will be no objections."
Prime Alliance has stepped up funding for the 2002 season enabling Paceline Team Sports to recruit a number of high profile riders to strengthen the team. Added to the team for next year will be Chris Horner (ex-Mercury), John Peters (ex-Mercury), Matt Decanio (ex-Saturn), David McCook (ex-7-Up/Colorado Cyclist), and Alex Candelario (ex-THF Reality).
The backbone of the 2001 squad, comprised of Danny Pate, Michael Creed, Jonas Carney, Jame Carney, Ryan Miller and John Walrod, will be returning to the team. A twelfth rider is also to be added to the roster some time next month. The organization is also exploring the possibility of supporting a junior team comprised of riders from the Northwest and Colorado.
The team will continue to focus on the domestic UCI and National Racing Calendar competitions and attend even more events on the 2002 calendar. The world-class track efforts of 2000 Olympian and 2001 World Cup overall points race champion Jame Carney will also have continued support.
The team's competition goals for 2002 reflect the new depth of talent on the roster and include the expectations of producing wins at most major US events, criterium or stage race, and leading the NRC rankings by year's end.
Prime Alliance will remain the title sponsor with Bayer, Dow, DSM and other plastics and performance material companies involved. Cycling industry sponsors and suppliers for 2002 season are still to be finalized.
Riders
Chris Horner (USA)
Danny Pate (USA)
Matt Decanio (USA)
Michael Creed (USA)
Jonas Carney (USA)
Jame Carney (USA)
John Peters (USA)
David McCook (USA)
Alex Candelario (USA)
Ryan Miller (USA)
John Walrod (USA)
#12 TBD
Team Personnel
General Manager: Roy Knickman
Director Sportif/Road Manager: Kirk Willett
Mechanics: TBD
Therapists: TBD
PR Personnel: TBD
For the first time since 1995, the membership of British Cycling has passed 15,000. At the end of August, there were 15,304 members, a significant increase on the 2000 end of year total of 14,396. Almost 4,000 members are new to the organisation in 2001, underlining the high turn-over of members experienced by sports governing bodies. Of these new members, 700 took out membership but not a licence, indicating the growing popularity of the British Cycling membership package to non-racing cyclists.
Although in early 2001 this new US team turned out to be another to add to the "never got off the ground" list, the tale of how it evaporated into broken promises is an interesting one, and hopefully one worth learning from. Cycling journalist John Foster has done some very in-depth research, and the article he wrote on the Noble House saga has now been published on Cyclingnews.
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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Tales from the Peloton
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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;
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the Chain - Dope planning and testing - From Willy Voet's book
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