Zanini Double-Contract Problem ResolvedStefano Zanini, the 1996 Amstel Gold winner, has been denied a racing licence so far this year because he signed contracts with both his former employers, Batik-Del Monte (Gewiss Playbus in 1996), and Mapei-GB. Now an agreement has been reached between Mapei and Batik and Zanini will be licensed to ride for his new team. He expects to begin his season in the Trofeo Luis Puig in Spain on Sunday (February 23).Italian Races CancelledThe "Giro di Calabria" and "Giro della Provincia di Reggio Calabria" will not take place because the Organization Committees cannot raise enough money to stage the races.Roslotto in Financial DifficultiesRussian-registered Italian-based pro squad Roslotto-ZG is in financial difficulties because the principal sponsor, Russia's state-owned national lottery, has failed to make payments to the team.Team manager Moreno Argentin told L'Equipe: "The season has just begun and we've only been able to pay 20% of last year's debts." Argentin this week met Roslotto officials in Moscow and received some assurances on payments. "They guaranteed that the money would be released at the beginning of March," Argentin said, "but I fear for the worst ...we may have to shut up the shop. That's paradoxical, since on the sporting front the team is going very well." Both Strazzer and Gontchenkov won stages in the Tour Mediterraneen. The strength of the Russian component of the team may mean that it is not allowed to collapse. "Almost all the Russian national team rides in our colours," said Argentin, "and so the Russian national sports committee couldn't abandon us." Lloret de Mar, Internationale Challenge4th stage: 1. De Buyst (Bel) 131 km in 3.16.50 2. Dierickx (Bel) 3. Petersen (Den) 0.34 4. Dierickxsen (Bel) 8. Theus (Ned) 4.02 Overall standings: 1. Dierickxsen 106 points 2. Martin (Fra) 101 =3. Phil (Den) =3. Dierickx 95 6. De Haan (Ned) 93 7. Theus 87 |