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Juan Manuel Garate (Lampre-Daikin, stage winner)
"I'm very good in small bunch sprints, but iBanesto and Lampre having two riders each in the break made it much easier for us to go clear. I stayed on Dominguez' wheel in the final kilometre and let him lead out because I knew it was the only way I would win."
If things had gone according to the usual plan, yesterday's Spanish winner of the Tour of Spain would have been on a Spanish team. Juan Garate is an alumnus of the ONCE development team Iberdrola, and said after his win that he had been pained to leave that squad after five years.
"My victory does not mean the Spanish team was mistaken" he said. "What happened to me can happen to anyone who makes the jump. We emigrants are many; the important thing is to win. I am happy that Lampre has given me this opportunity."
Five-time Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain fancies current second place Angel Casero (Festina) for the overall victory in the Vuelta. Indurain said he believes today's mountainous stage will benefit the Spanish climber, and that he will show strongly in the final time trial. But Indurain, who never won his home tour despite dominating the Tour de France in the early 90s, warned that Casero had to remain focused because race leader Oscar Sevilla would be on the attack over the next several days to attempt to increase his lead before the time trial.
Speaking while visiting the ruins of the World Trade Centre reigning Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong said "I believe it will be Oscar Sevilla [who wins the Vuelta]. It's true that anything can happen but Sevilla is my favourite." However, Armstrong admitted that "with everything that has happened in the US at the twin Towers I have not paid much attention to the Vuelta."
Armstrong said that nevertheless "Oscar Sevilla is going very well [though] Casero is close and has a chance of winning the final time trial."
Armstrong was visiting the site of the World Trade Center to view the devastation for himself and to attempt to give heart to the workers who are still sifting through the huge pile of rubble that is all that remains of the buildings.
Calling the attack a "horrible crime" Armstrong said "In my life, this has been the most devastating attack against my country, our compatriots and our freedom. At the same time, you see people working together here and in the rest of the country. Nothing in my life has made me feel so American."
Oscar Friere told reporters that despite finishing yesterday's stage 14 he will almost certainly not start today's stage because of pain from the back problem that has plagued him for the last two seasons.
Mapei director Jesús Suárez Cuevas later confirmed the decision, telling the Europa Press agency that this was a joint decision between Friere, the team doctor and himself, and that the imminent world championships was also a factor. "It is better that he does not continue because tomorrow is the longest stage and we do not want him to get worse before the worlds. Oscar will now rest and soon return to hard training, but without forcing himself."
Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano is another victim of the virus that took former race leader and ONCE team-mate Joseba Beloki out of the Vuelta yesterday. Beloki told Spanish radio "I can almost definitely confirm he has the same illness as me."
After he was unable to topple Lance Armstronmg from his Tour de France perch in July, Jan Ullrich has set his sights on the world championships, he told a press conference at the Rheinland-Pfalz Rundfahrt. "The world championship is the crowning discipline in bike racing. I want this title because it is the only one missing from my collection," Ullrich told journalists.
Ullrich will be assisted by team-mate Erik Zabel who will be a surprise starter in Lisbon. The Telekom sprinter had originally planned to end his season with the Paris-Tours classic, and the hilly Lisbon world's course does not suit Zabel, in theory at least. But Telekom team boss Rudy Pevenage commented, "Nothing surprises me with Erik any more. He's mad about bike racing, he lives to ride."
Christophe Moreau (Festina) has announced that yesterday's GP de Nations will be his last race of the season as he needs an operation in early October to remove screws placed in his collarbone after a crash. He will therefore miss the world championships.
"Every year I ride to the end of the season," said Moreau,"but with this, I do not have any chance of being competitive for the world championships. It's better to take a break and plan for next year."
By Tommy Campbell, Irish Independent/Evening Herald/Sunday Independent
A couple of months ago, Limerick Cycling Club held an open day at St. Mary's Park Running Track. Over 100 people turned up to take part or spectate. The aim of the event was to introduce young people to cycling and especially to the thrills of cycle racing. Mr Paddy Doran, Irish Cycling Federation Coaching Committee and Mr Michael O’Reilly from St. Finbar's Cycling Club, Cork prepared a six-week training programme.
Over the six-week period cycling skills and techniques were demonstrated. Elaine O'Donoghue from the National Coaching and Training Centre, University of Limerick, informed the budding cyclists on the nutritional needs for athletes and the importance of stretching properly before and after exercise.
Mid week training sessions demonstrated the correct cycling posture and pedalling style on bicycles set up on rollers in the King's Island Community Centre. Training also took place at 8.00am Thursday mornings at St. Mary's Park Running Track. Skills and technique sessions topped up with short sprinting sessions toned up the young cyclist's for racing.
John O'Donoghue, Gavin Kenrick and Jonathan Ryan represented St. Mary's Park / Limerick Cycling Club in the under twelve event. This race was over six miles into a head wind and driving rain. John O'Donoghue was first home from the Limerick lads finishing strongly in the second bunch of riders exhibiting a natural talent for the sport. Gavin and Jonathan both finished the race, a great achievement for their first race against well-seasoned cyclists from Cork, Kerry, Belfast and Dublin.
In the under fourteen category Clement Higgins and Robert Hogan representing St. Mary's Park / Limerick Cycling Club competed over sixteen miles of undulating roads. Robert finished the race in spite of incessant rain and strong winds. Both Clement and Robert can be very proud of their achievements after only six weeks training.
St. Mary's Cycling Club is truly witnessing future cycling talent and names you should keep an eye out for in the future.
The long-term aim of Limerick Cycling Club is to set up similar clubs in other Communities in the greater Limerick area and introduce young people to a sport where success is sometimes achieved by just finishing the race. Not everyone can be a winner but to do your best and compete in a tough sport where finishing can be a personal victory. With the increase in traffic around our towns and cities, traffic-free areas are needed to introduce cycling in a safe environment. At present the Club are actively lobbing for a 250 metre cycling track, with changing facilities, so that a cycling skills programme can be developed for young people in a safe environment. Discussions have already started with the Irish Cycling Federation and the National Coaching and Training Centre in the University of Limerick.
Were enthusiasm similar to Limerick's to be enacted in cities, towns and villages around Ireland, cycling could be on a winner and share some of the limelight that other sports are receiving at the moment. Of course we need people with the drive that Hugh Kelly and his associates have shown what be achieved in Limerick. Hugh would probably have to give up the day job if this scheme gets into gear.
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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Diary - Tour du Faso - Part II - Nathan Dahlberg's report (December 3)
Tech
maintenance - Wheels - how to keep them true and tight
Tech letters
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Tech news - Navigators
power-tap, Headsets, Carbon cages (December 7)
Tech- Recycling
- How to protect your chainstay for free
Tech Reviews:
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Tool belt; Shimano shoes;
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