Luca Bramati was unable to win the poker game today in Prague and thereby enter the history books as the first man to win four consecutive World Cup races; he did however put three more points into his arch rival, Dutchman Groenendaal.
In the fourth leg of the World Cup, run off today in Prague, Luca Bramati lost his chance to take all the marbles, when, suffering badly from a bronchial infection, he finished fourth to Dieter Runkel. A win today would have given Bramati a virtually unassailable lead.
In second place was Pontoni, who has so far had a disappointing season, but who now seems to be improving steadily.
The race started well for the Italians, Pontoni and Bramati, assisted by Wabel and Runkel after a rolling start. Profiting from the absence of Groenendaal in the lead group, Pontoni and Bramati put the pressure on and at one stage the two "Squadra Azzurri" riders were alone in the lead.
Pontoni made a sudden surge, but the Swiss caught him with four laps to go.
Bramati, suffering badly, was unable to retain contact with the leaders, hampered no doubt by his bronchial problems, and crossed the line 42 seconds behind Runkel.
Pontoni was second at 11 seconds and Pospisil third at 21 seconds.
Leading going into the final night, Italian masters of "l'Americaine" (Madison Racing), Martinello-Villa took the win by a mere seven points from the Swiss duo of Risi e Betschart, the only other team to finish in the same lap.
One lap down were: De Wilde-Kappes, Baffi-Bincoletto and Veggerby-Madsen.
GLACIAL-SELLE ITALIA COLPRENSA (IT) Glacial-Selle Italia, just finished their first get-together. Led by Colombian Cacaito Rodriguez, they will open their 1996 season with the Colombian Colprensa, on January 12. First European outing will be on February 18 in the Trophy Laigueglia.
Riis, living in Luxembourg, wanted as a additional domestique Indurain's worthwhile helper Gerard Rue (France), but the dealed failed because of money. Rue changed from Banesto to the french team "GAN". Riis: "Rue was too expensive for Telekom!"
The Danish rider, who speculates on a double start at Atlanta (street race and individual time trial), begins his preparation for next season during December's first weeks on the Carribean island, Gaudeloupe.
With the profile of the 1996, Tour Riis is trying to be a better climber. "I know that Indurain has limits. If he is knocked out it will be at a mountain." In preparation for next season highlight Riis has a victory in the Tour de Suisse in his mind.
The Telekom team resigned for the Giro d'Italia next year. Other big goals for next season are the spring classics in Europe, the Tour de France, Atlanta, Vuelta d'Espagna and the world championchips in Switzerland.
Coppi 1919-1939: THE EARLY YEARS Fausto Coppi was born 15 September, 1919 in Castellania, a small village between Tortona and Novi in the Appenines on the Ligure-Piemonte provincial border. His mother, Angiolina amd his father, Domenico had a daughter Maria, and four sons; Livio, Dina, Fausto and four years later Serse, who looked remarkably like Fausto. Whilst Fausto was growing up, the family acquired its first bike, probably around 1927, and around that time Fausto got his first job as helper in a delicatessen in Novi Ligure. It is probably at that time, riding every day on the bike to Novi and back to Castellania, that the foundation was laid for the great cyclist that he was to become. Coppi got to know Biagio Cavanna, a masseur and ex boxer, a man renowned for his skills, and who had a great reputation as a trainer. Coppi was noticed by Cavanna who first became his trainer, then his friend and he stayed with Coppi throughout his whole career. Through numerous amateur races, Coppi persevered, until finally, in 1939, came his first major race, the Giro del Piemonte (Tour of Piedmont), and this was where Fausto had his first encounter with his perennial rival, Gino Bartali.
Elite Summer Series at St Ives: Criterium: B Litchfield (BICI) 1, L
Vignes (NS) 2, I Garrity (Man) 3, E Salas (Pen) 4, J Rodriguez (Rand) 5, P
Clarke (Pen) 6. At Warriewood: Christmas Series Stage I: I Garrity 1, P
Clayton (Caro) 2, B Hickson (NS) 3, D Simon (Man) 4, P Chapman (NS) 5, E
Salas 6. Series leader: E Salas. Jnr: R Kidnie (Man) T Jackson (Banks) eq.
Vet: E Salas.
Manly Warringah at Warriewood: Elite 60km: I Garrity P Clayton B
Hickson. B 32km: B Drew B Cooper C Tu. C 32km: S Jun S Cornish C Turner. D
32km: K Sirgenson M Boeter D Stay.
Parramatta at Eastern Creek: A 35km: A Payne 51m32s D Blackman P Clark.
B 30km: S Trueba 47m45s D Blaxall D Rivett. C 25km: S Grimshaw 36m21s L
Trueba C Leckie. D 20km: C Berkeley 23m21s K Bates S Lee. Jnr 12km: B Pont
23m13s A Johnstone B Roots.
Waratah Veterans at Homebush: A 63km: A Driver 1h36m13s J Beatty W
Hill. B 57km: S Lojewski 1h28m8s M Walters G Keating. C 44km: A Lazich
1h10m29s A Rodriguez W Goss. D: J King and D Kerr dh1 1h12m30s W Scott. E:
I Reid 1h15m20s J Lysaght W Marsden. F: J Atkins 1h19m11s S Elliott P
Tunnicliff.