News for December 24, 1996

Important Cycling Dates for 1997

January 

12	Zeddam: Dutch Cyclo Cross Championship

February 

1-2	Munich: World Cyclo Cross Championship

March 

22	Italy: Milan-San Remo (World Cup #1)

April 

 6	Belgium: Tour of Flanders (World Cup #2)
13	France: Paris-Roubaix (World Cup #3)
20      Belgium: Luik-Bastenaken-Luik (World Cup #4)
26      Netherlands: Amstel Gold Race (World Cup #5)

May

16-25	Olympia's Tour, Netherlands
17-8 J 	Tour of Italy
24-25	Gulpen: Dutch National Championship MTB

June

28-29	Meerssen: Dutch National Championship - Road

July

5-27    Tour of France
22-24   Alkmaar: Dutch National Championship - Track
25-27	Denmark: European MTB Championships

August

6-28    Tour of Spain
9       Spain: San Sebastian Classic (World Cup #6)
12-21 	France: World MTB Championships, Cross Country and Downhill
17      Leeds: International Classic (World Cup #7)
24      GP Switserland (World Cup #8)
26-30   Tour of Netherlands
27-31   Perth: Track Worlds

October

5     	France: Parijs - Tours (World Cup #9)
9       San Sebastian: World ITT Championships
12      San Sebastian: World Road Championships
18      Italy: Tour of Lombardy (World Cup #10)

Koksijde, Belgium, World Cup Cyclo Cross, Round 5

 1. Van der Poel (Ned) 	     1.02.10
 2. Vervecken (Bel) 		0.06
 3. Groenendaal (Ned) 		0.08
 4. Frischknecht (Swi) 		0.18
 5. De Vos (Ned) 		0.28
 6. Bramati (Ita) 		0.35
 7. Van Santvliet (Bel) 	0.49
 8. Wabel (Swi) 		1.02
 9. Ghiotti (Ita) 		1.03
10. Nijs (Bel) 			1.08
11. De Clercq (Bel) 		1.18
12. Simunek (Tsj) 		1.40
13. Willemsens (Bel) 		1.42
14. Janssens (Bel) 		2.05
15. Boezewinkel (Ned) 		2.10
..
23. Gommers 			3.42

Current World Cup Standings

 1. Groenendaal 		82 points
 2. Van der Poel 		81
 3. De Clercq 			50
 4. Janssens 			44
 5. Van Santvliet 		38
 6. Vervecken 			37
..
12. De Vos 			30
..
18. Boezewinkel 		 8

National Standings at Koksijde:

 1. Netherlands 		12 points 
 2. Belgium 			 9
 3. France 			 8

Overall National Standings after 5 rounds

 1. Netherlands 		53
 2. Belgium			48
 3. Switserland 		38

Cyclo Cross from Essen (Bel):

 1. Van der Poel (Ned) 	     1.02.00
 2. Herijgers (Bel) 		0.19
 3. Moonen (Bel) 		0.23
 4. Willemsens (Bel) 		0.41
 5. De Bie (Bel) 		1.13
 6. Vervecken (Bel) 		1.45
 7. Bollen (Bel)
 8. Wouters (Bel)
 9. Wuyts (Bel)			1.55
10. Van Doninck (Bel)
..
17. Boezewinkel 		3.41

Amsterdam, Elites without Contracts

 1. Scheffer (Velswijk)      1.01.04
 2. Nijland (Hengelo)
 3. Gerritsen (Hoevelaken) 	0.20
 4. Vrogten (Zelhem) 		0.29
 5. De Knegt (Tilburg) 		0.55

Honselersdijk, Elites with and without Contracts

 1. Talen (Kalmthout) 	     1.01.12
 2. Bunnik (Bleiswijk) 		0.55
 3. Maas (Dordrecht) 		1.01
 4. Voshol (Rotterdam) 		1.03
 5. De Wit (Delft) 		1.25

Manchester, International Madison:

 1. Pieters/Slippens (Ned)

Armstrong believes he can comeback

Professional cyclist Lance Armstrong is convinced that his battle against cancer has been won and that he will can make a return to the peloton in 1997. The doctors that are handling the 25 year-old Texan for the last two months confirmed the success of the chemotherapy that he has had after an operation. The doctors have cut two tumour from Armstrong's head.

The 1993 World Champion finished the Olympic Games road race at Atlanta in 12th place. After a medical examination he was found to have cancer. Armstrong said "I will not be too hasty, but I think I will be competing next summer. Naturally, not in the Tour de France."

Herman Snoeyink (Under 23 Coach) signs for two years for KNWU

Herman Snoeyink has signed a contract with the Koninklijke Nederlandse Wielrenunie (KNWU) (the Dutch ruling body in cycling). The under 23 coach has taken a two year contract with an option for another two seasons.