News for December 4


World champion Abraham Olano has prolonged his contract with the Mapei team until the end of 1998, with an option for one more year. A mutual agreement has been made between Olano and Mapei and the contract will be signed in Milan, Italy, next week.

Olano will also meet his coach Michele Ferrari in Italy to start planning the 1996 season. There's a strong possibility that Olano will ride the Giro instead of the TdF and the Vuelta that will leave Rominger as uncontested team leader in the Tour.

Mapei will have about 30 riders next year (28 in 1995) which will make it easier for them to field a strong team in the three major tours.

Later this month, before travelling to South Africa, Olano will take part in a meeting with other pros in Madrid where a discussion on security; about wheels, spokes and the dangers some of the new-type wheels constitute for the riders in a crash.