News for August 8


More on Mapei

Further to my recent report on Mapei-GB, there is now confirmation that the "Spanish" section of the team is to break away, under the leadership of current Mapei-GB joint directeur sportif Juan Fernandez. Earlier rumours that Tony Rominger would go to the new team -- it was said that he wanted to stay with Abraham Olano -- are, however, apparently incorrect.

It is said that the Spanish team's sponsor will be a life assurance company and it will be led by world road champion Abraham Olano. Seven other Spanish members of the Mapei-GB team will accompany him -- Arsenio Gonzalez, Spanish champion Fernandes Gines, Jon Unzaga, Manuel Beltran, Federico Echave and Miguel Angel Pena. "I've still got time to look for the others," says Fernandez.

Mapei-GB, meanwhile will retain among others Tony Rominger, Johan Museeuw, Frank Vandenbroucke and Tom Steels and will be joined by Gianni Bugno, Stefano Zanini, Gianluca Pianegonda and Paolo Lanfranchi. My earlier report that Pavel Tonkov would also join Mapei-GB have not been confirmed by the latest news, but neither is there any statement that he will not join.

Armstrong's Festina Fax Brush-0ff

When Lance Armstrong returned home to Texas after abandoning the Tour de France he had a nasty shock in the form of a Dear John fax from Festina. "I was 99.9% in agreement with Festina to join them next season," he told L'Equipe during the Olympic Games, "when I learnt from a fax received at home that [Festina directeur sportif] Bruno Roussel was no longer interested in my coming! Not only is it difficult to understand, but it's frankly indecent to get this news by fax."

Armstrong says he is being considered by "several other teams and notably one French one." Tapping the side of his nose, as David Duffield might say, Roger Thomas reckons that might not be unadjacent to Cyrille Guimard's new Cofidis team, but don't quote me on that...

Course Francaise a l'Italienne

The important Category 1.1 Grand Prix "Ouest France" at Plouay in Morbihan, Brittany, on 1 September has attracted a strong complement of Italian teams. The race, on a long-circuit course, attracts thousands of spectators and last year the French federation requested, without success so far, that it be given alternate World Cup status. Italian teams taking part include Mapei-GB, Carrera, Gewiss-Playbus, MG-Technogym, Roslotto-ZG Mobili, Brescialat, Saeco, Team Polti and Aki-Gipiemme. Also present will be Telekom, Lotto, TVM, Collstrop and all the French teams with the possible exception of GAN. Video-maniacs should note that the race is being broadcast live on the France 3 TV channel.

Pantani's Progress

Marco Pantani returned to top-level competition in Sunday's (August 4) Trofeo Matteoti. He was unable to finish the 203km race but completed 115km. He still hopes to ride the Vuelta a Espana, which begins September 7.