News for February 7

Sean Yates and the new iTeamNova.com

By Steve Thomas in Melaka

Cyclingnews catches up with iTeamNova.com manager and former Tour de France yellow jersey wearer Sean Yates to chat about the new team, and their progress in the Tour de Langkawi.

CN: After last year's Linda McCartney fiasco, we all thought that you were lost to cycling, but now you're back in the driving seat of the new iTeamNova squad. What happened?

SY: Well, the McCartney situation was not very pleasant. After that I went back to working as a builder's labourer in the UK, which I don't mind - as one thing I do know how to do is work hard. But, the other thing I know about is cycling, it's been my whole life - I have no other qualifications, and I love being involved with the sport.

I really couldn't carry on with the building through the winter. So when this offer came along I was there. I was not desperate to get involved again at any cost. But working with a smaller scale English speaking team really appealed, and that was it.

CN: So how have things gone so far, and how is Langkawi going for the team?

SY: So far so good. The riders are all motivated, the atmosphere is good, and the early season has gone very well for us. Here we have tough opposition, but the riders are better prepared than most, and we're up there and racing constantly.

This is a race in which we always did well with the old McCartney team, we always put on a race - and don't just come a long for the ride and go home after a few days, like some other teams can do. I think we'll be unlikely to get a stage win, but if we can keep it together over the next few days we have a couple of good climbers, and should do well at Genting, and get a couple of good overall placings.

CN: What do you make the race so far, particularly the Mapei dominance? Any predictions?

SY: I think Mapei are in a really bad position for the overall. Hunter, you never know - but I think it unlikely that he'll hold a lead after Genting. Tafi, he seems to think he can win - but I really don't think he has a chance, and that will not lead to a healthy situation. Vanderaerden is tough cookie, and he will not appreciate Tafi's attitude.

The Columbians are really strong, Muņoz was climbing like nothing else yesterday, and I think they will be the main danger. Mapei will not be able to match them. I don't even think that they have anyone to out climb Alan Iacuone.

Alexia also seemed to lose the plot some time yesterday, and appeared to decide that this was training from now on.

CN: The iTeamNova concept is interesting, how is it going, and what does the future hold for the team?

SY: Sure it's a great idea, but I'm not really looking too far ahead. At the moment I'm concentrating on the next few months. The riders are all well motivated, and know they need to perform well early season. We are still hoping to attract outside sponsors, this will ease things on the subscribers.

At the end of stage 6 of the Tour de Langkawi iTeamNova.com were lying 6th overall. Best placed rider overall is Australian Allan Iacuone who is lying 6th overall at 2 minutes 58 seconds.