News for August 27

Armstrong news from Dave Forrest

Stephen Farrand, writing in the Bicycling Magazine Online section of America Online reported today that Lance Armstrong has agreed in principle [i.e., he hasn't yet signed a formal contract] to join Cyrille Guimard's new French team, Cofidis, next seaon. Bicycling reports that Armstrong will probably sign a contract next week after his agent works out the details. The deal will probably be for two years.

Bicycling also reports that Armstrong almost signed with Festina a few weeks ago, but that deal fell through and that he was also talking with the Saeco team. Bicycling says that Saeco will use Cannondale bikes next season and that Cannondale was going to help pay his salary.

Bicycling says that Armstrong is attracted by the chance to work with Guimard who was Lemond's first pro coach [I also think Guimard's experience working with a hotshot American rider such as Lemond will be very useful in dealing with Armstrong].

Bicyling quotes Armstrong on Guimard: "'He's a great tactician." [Well, weBicyling quotes Armstrong on Guimard: "'He's a great tactician." [Well, we all know Lance could use a little help in that area.]

[Bill notes: I have never seen a more stupid rider than Lance Armstrong. In last Sunday's GP Suisse, he rode a tactically ridiculous race - some one said - like a headstrong amateur!]

Armstrong said Kevin Livingston, currently of Motorola, will also join Cofidis but he didn't know about other American Motorola riders.

As far as a contract for the current Motorola team, Bicycling quotes Paul Sherwen as saying that all the possibilities they had fell through but they are hoping for a last minute deal.

News from Switzerland

At the World Championships in Lugano in October, the Swiss cyling professionals will be coached by Wolfram Lindner instead of Auguste Girard. At a meeting after the GP Suisse, 15 riders - including Tony Rominger and Pascal Richard - voted for Lindner. Girard, who had been the original coach for Lugano, renounced himself afterwards. The born East German Wolfram Lindner, whose contract as national coach runs out, had also been the coach of the Swiss professionals in Atlanta and got a lot of praise afterwards.

Rolf Jaermann will also leave MG-Technogym, following his mate Pascal Richard to a Francaise des Jeux.