News for July 18, 1997

Continued Tour News

Telekom: - Sport director for Telekom, Godefroot, said about Jan Ullrich that "it is difficult to say now if he will be like Merckx or Indurain. He has the style of a champion and is on the way to becoming a superchampion. But he's only at the beginning of his career. He still needs endurance and I think that he will have it when he's 25 to 27. He also has great problems with colds ate the start of the season. Until Saint Etienne, anyway there is nothing certain. It will be there were the classification will be made". About Riis he dais that "he's intelligent and can give of his experience to Ullrich". And classified Olano as a dangerous rival".

Festina: - "It is true that Ullrich is in front. On Tuesday he showed that he's another Indurain. But wea re here to win the Tour and up to know we have only ridden half of the race", said Roussel. "I'm very happy with the first half of the Tour that my team has ridden. I have never had a team like this one. So motivated, with so many dreams and with great performance. I think that Festina can give Telekom a hard time. I sincerely fell that they have two unquestionable figures, but collectively I think that we are stronger than the Germans. I completely trust my team".

The fight amongst the greats will continue tomorrow with the racinng of the time trial of Saint Etienne. "We know the route well, we have done it three times. We know what we have to do and will face it in excellent shape, but we can't forget Ullrich & Riis who are specialists. I think that are chances are not in Saint Etienne, even with the climb, but in the Alps stages". Roussel believes that his team can change the overall, although he admits that "at this time it is difficult to discover which one is Ullrich's weak point. He rides like nobody in the time trial. But maybe it will be his youth and the pressure of carrying the yellow jersey. Our place is to observe and take advantage of any opportunities". Roussel lamented the time that was lost by Olano in the Pyrennes. "It would be great for us if Olano & Riis would come back to the race. The Spaniard could be an excellent ally. In terms if Riis, if he could gain time and came into Ullrich's terrain, I think that it wouldn't be good for him". He finished by saying that "now we have three days to think about the situation. Our system is to attack. Ullrich hasn't won the Tour yet".

Olano: - Abraham Olano still doesm't know why he lacks strength, as he has shown in the two stages in the Pyrenees, terrain that he knows well and where he has trained for a long time. "Now what I'm worried about is about recuperating, bit it looks like it is going to be tough. The rest day may help me, but what I eagerly await is the Saint Etienne time trial. It will be sn important test for me, to see if I can ride better and to try to maintain my differences with Riis & Virenque", he said.

"Ullrich is the new 'Tous Boss' and victory is out of the question after seeing him. It is true that there is alot of Tour left and that Ullrich had a bad day in Switzerland and it could happen again in the Tour. But the truth is that I see him very strong".

Desbiens: - Desbiens was proclaimed the winner of the stage after Outschakov was disqualified. The Frenchman feels that the decision of the jury was 'fair'. "I was able to see the video and that reaffirmed my belief, because Outschakov actions are clear. Now I will continue to fight for a stage win, but this time like it is supposed to be: by being the first to cross the finish line".

Outschakov: - The Ukranian was explaining his win -"Polti has had such bad luck, that it is difficult to express how important this victory is for the team". When he was told of the disqualification, his face changed and explained that "Desbiens wanted to pass me onthe left and didn't see him. If I went left was to go for the protection of the barriers. I'm not in agreement of the decision of the jury. I was the fastest, period".

Ronde van Luik - Elites without Contract

Stage 1 Seraing - Herve:

 1. Van Aken (Bel) 162 km in 3.55.50
 2. In 't Ven (Bel) 0.05
 3. Van Steen (Ned) 0.10
 4. Boxus (Bel)
 5. Buurstede (Ned)
 6. Heylen (Bel) 0.20
 7. Pronk (Ned) 0.24
 8. Vuurens (Ned) 0.26

Nelissen out of Tour

Danny Nelissen (Rabo) will not start on Saturday in the Tour de France. He has an infection in his right knee and now in hospital in St Etienne for a intensive anti-biotic treatment.

Dutch MTB Team for the European Championshipa

The KNWU announced the selection for the European Championship Mountainbike in Denmark (July 25-27) today.

Men: Richard Groenendaal, Bas van Dooren, Marcel Gerritsen, Erwin Nijboer, Jan Weevers, Henk Dekker, Chris Mulders and Huib de Roo.

(Olympic champion Bart Brentjens prepares himself for the Tour de France and World Championship. He will not go to Denmark)

Women: Yvonne Brunen, Corine Dorland, Elsbeth Vink, Reza Ravenstein, Loes van Wersch, Sandra Coppoolse, Natasja Nachbar and Marielle Lenzen.