News for April 9, 1997

Two Italians at Flanders

Franco Ballerini is anger, he said about the race: "When I have attacked, after the one kilometer mark, Moncassin caught up to me in a flash. Then Sorensen took off and he stayed there like a beautiful statuette. He was fastest, he should have closed, but he saw that second place was enough for him. It is stupid to throw away a race like Flanders in this way". Like at Sanremo, when he was left with Stephane Huelot at 300 meters, Ballerini found a French at his. "It must be the new fashion: to forget the possibility of a success and to race the last meters of a big classic in order to get the worst of positionings".

The Tuscan from Mapei-GB is upset with the result, but behind the anger of the moment, the satisfaction of the excellent competition emerges. "I moved early because I could not leave too much distance from riders like Jalabert and Sorensen. I have reached them with ease from behind and I was feeling good for all the rest of the race. On the Grammont I have also tried to attack. As team we were penalized by the fall of Museeuw. With Johan the race would have changed sides".

Ballerini has done big things on the pave (he did very much at this Tour of Flanders). Could this be considered like test since Roubaix is in sight? "I have raced at Flanders to win, because I felt well. My condition is on the rise and I'm convinced that Sunday on the pave, that race which tears my heart, I will do something beautiful".

Michelino Bartoli is as disappointed that he didn't succeed: "I was a strange race -he says-. Tough like I wanted, but uncontrollable. It seems paradoxical, but the fall of Museeuw has complicated my race also. He would have taken responsibility for the race. With him, I could have gone up the wall of Grammont and gone up to the finish". Bartoli showed flashes of class, but he has not seemed as strong as last year. "On the Grammont, I took off well and felt strong -he says-. The problem was Sorensen, Ballerini, Casarotto and Van Petegem were in front. I have crossed the gap alone and was made to ride in front, I could not do the job for all of them. Then there was no agreement amongst us and by the time Chiappucci and the others joined us from behind, I realized the mess we were in. Attack again? I gave it all. It was a crazy race in the last kilometers, everybody going off and no logic".

Sorensen however was able to attack again and won. "Rolf took off strongly, but he won because he was the most cunning and he picked the correct moment -comments Bartoli-. I however have no regrets. If I could change anything of my race, I would change only one thing: the result".

Italo-Swiss Bruno Boscardin was sad that he provoked the fall of Johan Museeuw: "I turned around to ask the Gan car what they were doing -he says-. There had three riders in the gruppetto and nobody was pulling. I got distracted and touched the back wheel of Museeuw. I have also ruined my race. After the finish I went to apologize. I hope that he understands how sorry I am"

Michele Bartoli has returned home yesterday. The Tuscan has changed his program: He will not race at Ghent-Wevelgem tomorrow and will concentrate on Fleche Wallone (April 16) and Liege-Bastogne-Liege (April 20). Ghent-Wevelgem, the classic is more geared toward sprinters, and will be raced tomorrow with Steels, Zabel, Blijlevens, Abdujaparov and our Cipollini, Minali, Lombardi, Conte and Guidi as favorites.

Maine Cycing Classic Details

May 4, 1997, Portland, Maine

COURSE: A very smooth and fast 1.5 mile circuit located in downtown Portland, Maine, the course is closed to traffic and is at least 2 lanes and mostly 4 lanes wide all the way around (including 4 lanes wide for 400 yards to and through start/prime line).

RACES: 

8:00 start    $25 fee     20 miles        100 limit  4/5

1st-$45      6th-$20
2d-$40      7th-$15
3d-$35      8th-$10
4th-$30     9th-$9
5th-$25     10th-$8
Plus primes

9:00 start    $25 fee     24 miles	150  limit 35+(1//2/3/4
only)

1st-$120     6th-$70
2d-$110      7th-$65
3d-$100      8th-$60
4th-$90       9th-$55
5th-$80      10th-$50
Plus primes

10:00 start   $25 fee   40 miles 150 limit Pro/1/2/3

1st-$200     11th-$70
2d-$135      12th-$65
3d-$125      13th-$60
4th-$110     14th-$55
5th-$100     15th-$50
6th-$95       16th-$45
7th-$90       17th-$40
8th-$85       18th-$35
9th-$80       19th-$30
10th-$75      20th-$25
Plus primes

REGISTRATION: Pre-registration is encouraged (fields filled last time). Entries postmarked after 4/24/97 subject to $5 late fee. Entry fee includes USCF insurance surcharge. Fee for two races $40, separate entry form for each race required. Send standard release and check payable to Maine Cycling Classic, P.O. Box 7002, Portland, Maine 04112 (no unattached rider fee).

UPGRADES: All races meet USCF distance for upgrades, including 2 to 1.

Held Under USCF Permit #1997-918, one day licenses available.

INFORMATION: Bill Black, P.O. Box 7002 Portland, Maine 04112, tel. and fax 207-781-5739, e-mail WRBCYCLE@aol.com.

DIRECTIONS: North on 95, get off exit 6a go thru toll booth onto 295 into Portland and take exit 7 off on Franklin, turn right at bottom of ramp and immediately right again at first light (Marginal Way, only about 30yds. from end of ramp) then immediately right again (about 100 yds.) into parking lot for parking/sign-in.