Second Edition News for August 8, 1997

Tour de France MTB

Stage 7 Beaune-Saugues:

 1. Martinez (Fra)   70 km in 2.35.44
 2. Dupouey (Fra) 		 4.54
 3. Kristensen (Den) 		 5.25
 4. Orcel (Fra) 		 5.29
 5. Manin (Fra)
...
13. Nijboer (Ned)		 9.06
21. De Knegt (Ned)		11.03
23. Brentjens (Ned)
44. Gerritsen (Ned)		19.44

GC after Stage 5:

 1. Kristensen               12.58.51
 2. Savignoni (Fra) 		 4.47
 3. Cadel Evans (Australia) 	 7.05
 4. Dupouey 			15.45
 5. Martinez 			21.45
...
 7. Brentjes 			26.45
...
30. Gerritsen 		      1.07.49
32. Nijboer 		      1.11.19
41. De Knegt 		      1.32.02

Eurode Omloop open for Professionals

For the sixth Eurode Omloop in Limburg on Sunday August 17 professionals will be allowed to start. [Bill notes: Since unification of ams and profs, the number of amateur classics open to the professionals has increased markedly whereas the same cannot be said about the races reserved for elites with contracts. Its a disgrace!].

The UCI gave this classic a category 1.5 standing.

The course over Dutch and German territory (between Kerkrade/Limburg and Herzogenrath) comprises 13 rounds of nearly 14 kilometers (180 km). The Dutch professionals from the local team Foreldorado/Golff will start. Rest of the riders: all top-amateur teams, four local Limburg club teams and some German riders.

The Eurode Omloop was won twice by a rider of Limburg: Pascal Appeldoorn (1994) and Danny Nelissen (1995).

Danny Nelissen: hard work

Rabobank-manager Jan Raas: "Danny Nelissen has to demonstrate in the next two months that he can do some hard work. When he keeps riding as now, there is a chance for a new offer.

Nelissen was injured for 5 out of the 7 months so far this season. Just before the Tour de France he came back; but soon he fell sick again. However, he has to show himself in the little tours and one-day-courses. When he's well, he can probably race the Vuelta. We will talk with him the end of September."

After his fall in the Tour de France Danny Nelissen has ridden in two races. Dilsen and the Ridderronde/Maastricht with a second place. On Friday he starts in Maarheeze.

San Sebastian Neglected

The World Cup event tomorrow is being neglected by the major television stations.

It's only on pay-tv live: TS1 and Canel +2 (both live at 15:45) and in France (?) on Stade 2 in a sportmagazine at 19:25. Otherwise, we have to put up with World Championship Athletics on most of the major senders. Even Belgian Two is neglecting it.

Lucky I am out racing tomorrow afternoon!