Rolf Järmann's Diary UpdateZihlschlacht, 11 April 97Finally I've halfway recovered from the Tour of Flanders. I've seldom been so completely knackered after a race. But this gives me at the very least the certainty that I have everything needed for a success. Unfortunately I didn't exactly catch a good day. But I'm hopeful of course about the next race. MTB World Cup Preview from NZA couple of weeks ago, a leading New Zealand mountain biker decided to ride over the course for this weekend's World Cup races on Mount Victoria in Wellington, New Zealand's hilliest city.Though not a contender in the event, he was curious to see what sort of circuit the world's leading riders would have to contend with. Halfway round, the panting rider gasped: "This is a typical bloody Kennett course. I'm glad I'm not doing the actual race." Simon Kennett, who is jointly organising the World Cup event with sports promoter Arthur Klap, would probably take that as a compliment. The Mount Victoria course is punishing. The laps are just 8 kilometres (5 miles) long, but they pack a lot in -- short, lung-searing climbs, winding, badly-cambered single-bike tracks, and steep descents over deep ruts and gnarly tree roots. Parts of it are hard to walk, let alone ride. Riders in the World Cup men's race on Sunday are expected to complete six laps, weather permitting, in the 2 hours 30 minutes allowed for the event. Competitors in the women's race, which is on Saturday afternoon, will ride for two hours. The principal feature of the World Cup course is that riders get little chance to settle into a rhythm thanks to the stop-start nature of the course which demands frequent changes in pace and technique. Mount Victoria was chosen partly because of its proximity to the city, its scenic values and the ease of access for spectators. RebellinBad fall by Davide Rebellin on the descent of the Alto del Campillo, at 30 kms. from the finish: in a curve the bike got caught and the Francaise des Jeux rider flew hitting himself hard on the elbow. Rebellin was taken to a hospital in Bilbao and the x- rays have excluded a fracture. He will not raced until Sunday at the G.P. Primavera.Ramon Gonzalez ArrietaThe cyclist from Bilbao, Ramon Gonzalez Arrieta from Banesto, has left today the Navarra University Clinic, after an operation for a broken clavicle which he suffered last Monday on the first stage of la Vuelta al Pais Vasco. Sources from the clinic explained 29 year old Gonzalez Arrieta's progress, who yesterday started to exercise at the clinic on a stationary bike and could start trainingt on the road next week. The rider, who's on his eight season as a pro and his fourth with Banesto is planning to participate in a month at la Vuelta a La Rioja and still plans to participate at the Tour de France, said himself. |