News for August 6

Mapei newcomers

Gianni Bugno, who had envisaged retiring from racing at the end of this season, is in fact to leave MG-Technogym and join Mapei-GB. With Ceramica Panaria-Vinavil not planning to sponsor a team in 1997, Mapei-GB has also made the substantial signing of 1996 Giro d'Italia winner Pavel Tonkov. Other riders to to join Mapei-GB include1996 Amstel Gold winner Stefano Zanini, from Gewiss and Spring Classics high-placer Gianluca Pianegonda (ex-Team Polti).

These signings follow earlier news that Gianluca Bortolami is to leave Mapei-GB for Festina, and that the "Spanish" section of Mapei-GB, including Abraham Olano and Tony Rominger is to become a new Spanish-based team.