News for March 25, 1997


Jalabert and Museeuw uninjured

Paris-Nice winner Laurent Jalabert of France and Belgium's world champion Johan Museeuw have escaped with no more than bruises and aches from their crash in the Milan-San Remo classic.

``I've got nothing broken but I've got aches like you'd expect after such a fall,'' Jalabert told Monday's L'Equipe after doing two hours' training on Sunday.

Museeuw, who bruised his shoulder, told the Belgian daily Het Nieuwsblad that he would probably be out of action for another two days but expected to take part in Wednesday's ``Through Belgium'' race.

Jalabert, victim of an horrendous crash in the 1994 Tour de France, appeared to ride into Museeuw, bringing down several riders including Briton Max Sciandri in the sprint finish to Saturday's race.

The Frenchman, who was not wearing a helmet, said he thought he was hit from behind.

Jalabert was lucky to get away with no more than a bruised temple. ``I went head first, I was afraid,'' he said.

The crash brought back memories of Jalabert's collision with a gendarme at Armentieres in the Tour de France three years ago, which put him out for the rest of the season.

Erik Zabel of Germany won the Paris-Nice race, the first of the season's World Cup series.

Jalabert was 16th, one behind Sciandri, by virtue of a rarely-used rule whereby rider and cycle must be in contact on crossing the line.

Jalabert and Sciandri were still in contact with their bikes despite the fall but Museeuw was not and he was placed 39th -- last in the group -- under the rules.

Stausee-Rundfahrt

  1. Niki Aebersold (Sch) Post Swiss 188,5 km in 4.14.03 (44,518 km/h)
  2. Jacques Jolidon (Sch) PSV Cologne
  3. Oskar Camenzind (Sch) Mapei                all s.t.