News for May 10, 1997

Riis Interview from Denmark

10 trivia questions to Bjarne Riis in the local paper before this evening's race (Grand Prix Vejle - see below for results):

What do you prefer to do when you are not cycling:

Cycling takes a very large part of my life. When I finaly is of I want to be with my children. Maybe I will put on some music. I prefer soft music like Tony Braxton or Celine Dion.

Favorite movie:

I dont have a particular favorite movie. Maybe its because I dont get to see that many. But I was in the cinema a month ago to see the new one with Tom Cruise.

Last book:

Ups. My own. Nonsense. It is a good question. I dont read that much. I think the last one was Kurt Thyboes on sportsstar "Idols and heroes." It is interesting.

Biggest mistake:

Surely I have made many. Ho ho. But I cant remember any of them right now. I believe that like any other person I make mistakes every day.

Biggest success:

Without doubt my victory in Tour de France. It would be stupid to say anything but that.

Model:

I dont have a particular model. But there are some cyclists that I look up to like Eddy Merckx, Laurent Fignon and Miguel Indurain. Maybe Kennedy. Somehow he still tells me something. It is hard to explain. Even if he didnt get many years he succeded in getting a great nation with him.

How to spoil yourself:

Open a good bottle of wine. Maybe a Bordeaux or en old Pomerol from 1975. It could also be a Vega Sicilia which is the best spanish red wine. I am very interested in wine and have a good wine cellar. It is not big but interesting.

Change yourself:

I try every day to improve myself and my racing. In general I could dream that the time stood still for a period.

Special dish:

I used to say Meatballs in Curry or Roasted Pork with Parsley. But now I would prefer a good italian meal or a blody steak.

Doing in year 2000:

I dont know. Maybe I am still cycling and racing. I have not yet decided when my career is finished.

And now the Race Result - Grand Prix Vejle (Denmark), 81km:

 1. Bjarne Riis (Denmark)		     2.00.05
 2. Kurt Asle Arresem (Norway)			0.55
 3. Brian Holm (Denmark)			s.t.
 4. Lars Kristian Johnsen (Norway)		s.t.
 5. Bo Andre Namtvedt (Norway)			s.t.

The Danes love him

A victorious parade for the idol of the house, Bjarne Riis at the G.P. di Aarhus (Denmark). The Team Telekom leader, winner of the Tour '96 and the Amstel Gold Race '97, has turned the 50,000 person crowd delirious by winning the 190 kms. race with a time of 4.38'51" after a 30 kms. escape.

Abraham Olano Interview

He doesn't mind the snow. He doesn't know if it has been two or three times that he has climbed the Tourmalet. Olano trains for the Tour de France and he does it by beating the Pyrenees. The snow hits his face, his head is down. Some cars have realized that this is not just another cycle-tourist. It is a dog day in the Pyrenees. A car has stopped on the side of the road, close to the border between Andorra and France. The cyclist reaches the car and there is a loud encouraging voice saying: "Come on, Miguel, Let's go, Miguel!" The rider looks at the screaming couple strangely, they have made a mistake. He looks like him, climbs like the five time winner, strong legs, the Banesto jersey, but it is not Indurain. It's Abraham Olano.

In secret and with the biggest of will, the 1995 World Champion, has climbed last week, most of the Pyrenees roads, the mythical Tour names, have been beaten by his legs: the Tourmalet, Aspin, Luz Ardiden, Hautacam and the unforgettable Val Louron, where Indurain first wore the yellow jersey in 1991. Olano is living in a small apartment, on the foot of the Tourmalet, without telephone, without contact with the world, in the company of his wife, Karmele, his masseur, Moises Levoso and his two dogs, Lagun and Paipa, this last one named after the city where Olano stayed during the trip to Colombia when he became famous.

"If one wants something, it is going to cost him something", says the rider with a tired voice, because of the fatigue and the cold. The snow beat him, a little bit before Ordino, in Andorra, after almost eight hours of training and after climbing, on the same day, the Portet d'Aspet (where Casartelli died in 1995), the Col de Port and the very tough Envalira. Terrible, simply terrible. "He's convinced of himself. He's going to the Tour, knowing that he's capable of everything. His sacrifice is incredible", says his masseur Levoso, who follows him in the car over the Pyrenees' roads. Levoso miles when he remembers an anecdote: "He ate two plates of spagetti, a little bit of fruit and a glass of wine. He woke up the next morning... and the Tourmalet". He's almost hungry, follows a training method and diets meticulously stipulated by Dr. Michele Ferrari. Karmele has been his cook during the stay at the Pyrenees. "Everyday he has gone out a minimum of five hours in the morning, sometimes up to eight and although not always, in the afternoon he would get on the bike and followed his wife who would ride a motorcycle", adds the masseur. The regimen during a week of stay at the Pyrennes preparing for the Tour stages has been spartan. Little food, little meat, pasta and fruit, an hour and a half of massage, some walking of the dogs with his wife and again the bicycle.

Has climbed the Tourmalet from both sides. Olano doesn't remember clearly is it has been "two or three" the times that he has climbed that famous mountain. "It is not the toughest", he says. But it is the most famous. "We got a big scare the day we arrived. There was still a red sign, stating that the climb was closed because of snow. It was only a scare. He climbed the Tourmalet with the chronometer in hand. He rode the ninth stage of the next Tour, over the Soulor, the Tourmalet, the Aspin and Val Louron, at an average of 31 km/hr. "It is incredible and he's still two kilos over his ideal weight", adds his assistant. The Tour doesn't start until July, there is time. He will conclude his examination of the French climbs on the second week of June. Once the Dauphine Libere finishes, in what will be his last test for the Tour. Olano will go to the Alpe d'Huez, he wants to climb it a few times. "I don't know it, I've never been there", says the rider.

The cyclist rides the Pyrennes roads without getting up from the saddle, almost not moving. Some car drivers recognize him. Others see visions and it is because the similarities can scare you. "The other day -adds the masseur- I grabbed the motorcycle and he was riding behind me, with a helmet on. We were going fast and a car with Spanish tourist got close to me and asked me if it was Indurain, if he had come back and was getting ready for the Tour". This happened in Lourdes, where miracles occur.

"I'm not worried about anybody else's exhibitions" - Abraham Olano is very happy with his current form. He still rides hiding in the peloton. "I'm not worried about anybody else's exhibition. I'm very happy and anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Tour", says Olano, in reference to Bjarne Riis' performance at the Amstel Gold Race. "I'm planning my first test at la Bicicleta Vasca for the Tour and then I will fine tune myself at the Dauphine Libere, where some of the Alps classic climbs will be faced", adds Olano, who has determined that the two stages in the Pyrenees will be the key for the Tour. Next week he will attend la Vuelta a Asturias, where he will try out the new time trial bicycle that he will use at the Tour.

Derny Lekkerkerk professionals

 1. Van der Poel (Ned)
 2. Van der Steen (Ned)
 3. Pieters (Ned)

Belgian to Rabobank in 1998

Lotto-rider Marc Wauters (28) goes to Rabobank next year. He signed a contract with Jan Raas for three years. Wauters had an offer by Lotto and Mapei

Giro delle Province

A motorcyclist from the organization of the Giro di Provence, which is being conducted in Sicily, died today after he was run over by a car of the race for professionals. Thirty four year old Daniele Luppina, police inspector in Palermo, died during the transfer to the hospital due to craneal and brain trauma and the serious injuries suffered in the accident, which occured at 30 kms. from the Sicilian capital. Luppina, who was married and had a child, was helping as a volunteer the race organization in Sicily.

According to the first information, the accident could be due to slippery asphalt, because of the rain that had fallen a few minutes before the passing of the race. The car, also from the race organization, came out of the road, in its attempt to evade hitting the motrocyclist, without consequences for the driver. Today's stage was suspended first and the annuled by the organizer, Gino Vadala, with the consent of the riders and teams.

The Stage was cancelled.

Chiappucci

The Commision of Security and Behavior of the UCI, showed up yesterday morning at around 8 AM at Novotel di Thielle, where some of the team participating at the Tour of Romandie were staying. A UCI inspector, a doctor and a nurse ran the preventive blood tests on 21 riders: the 8 from Saeco (Cipollini, Buschor, Donati, Fagnini, Gotti, Moos, Petito and Scirea), the 8 from Asics (Chiappucci, Baronti, Bonetti, Molinari, Noe, Shefer, Simeoni and Zaina) and 5 from La Francais des Jeux (Jan, Peron, Davide and Simone Rebellin and Sciandri). The hematocrit level was fount to be over 50 for Chiappucci, 50.8 to be exact. I an official comunique, Patrice Roy, president of the judges at the Tour of Romandie notified: "After a preventive medical examination, rider number 9, Claudio Chiappucci from Team Asics, has been declared not suited for competition by a special commision".

Claudio Chiappucci was born on February 29, 1963. He has been a professional since 1985. Had always worn the colors of Team Carrera, until this year when a part of the team became part of team Asics of Franco Arese. Chiappucci has 57 wins in 13 seasons. His first victory was at Placci in 89. The most impressive are Milano-Sanremo in 1991 after a long escape from the Turchino to the finish and the Sestriere stage at the Tour de France '92 when Miguel Indurain's kingdom was getting started.

The suspension of Italian cyclist Claudio Chiappucci for two weeks here on Thursday after blood tests revealed unusually high haemoglobin levels overshadowed the battle for the Tour of Romandy.

Chiappucci, twice a runner-up in both the Tour of Italy and the Tour de France, returned a 51 percent level of red blood cell levels in excess of the 50 percent limit set by the International Cycling Union (UCI), cycling's ruling body -- the suspension rules him out of the Tour of Italy which starts in nine days.

The 34-year-old Italian, nicknamed the 'Devil', was suspended immediately forcing his retirement from the remainder of the Tour of Romandy -- the second stage was won by his compatriot Mario Cipollini in a sprint finish while British cyclist Chris Boardman, who finished 22nd in the stage, retained the overall lead two seconds ahead of Dutchman Eric Breukink.

He will have to undergo another test after his 14 day suspension in Lausanne before he can return to the circuit.

Sandro Quintarelli, Chiappucci's team manager, said that the cyclist had only returned a level of 48 percent when he was tested by the team doctor on Wednesday night.

The UCI have taken action against cyclists who test over the legal limit because high red blood cell levels, which thicken the blood, can induce heart attacks.

Three cyclists and their teams were the first to suffer from the new regulations during March's Paris-Nice race -- the cyclists were fined 1,000 Swiss francs (480 dollars) while the teams were fined 40,000 Swiss francs.

Festina's team for GIRO

Gianluca BORTOLAMI
Valerio TEBALDI 
Bruno BOSCARDIN
Patrice HALGAND
Felix GARCIA CASAS
Lylian LEBRETON
Jaime HERNANDEZ
Thierry LAURENT
Fabian JEKER

Shane Kelly Injured

SBS TV in Australia reported on Wednesday, May 7th, that Shane Kelly has suffered an injury which will set back his progress towards defending his Kilometre Time Trial World Championship. Kelly fell while contesting a keirin on a wet track in Japan. He dislocated his shoulder and in the process fractured the end of a bone. He will be unable to ride properly for about six weeks. He is working in the gym to try to retain his strength and is hopeful that he will have enough time to get back into top shape for the Perth World Titles in August.

First Philippine team invited to Tour of Ireland

Following strong showings by Philippine riders against international teams in the Marlboro Tour 1997, a five-man squad has been invited to compete in the prestigious Tour of Ireland from May 17-25.

The team will comprise of:

Renato F. Dolosa - (Born May 8, 1966 in Gubat, Sorsogon). Philippine team captain. All round performer combining both strong mountain climbing andsprinting abilities. Electronics and communications graduate , 5' 5" tall, 120 lbs, married with two children. Impressive Marlboro Tour Rookie of the Year in 1989, winner of Marlboro Tour 1992 and 1995, and 7th place in the Marlboro Tour '97.

Crestito A. Guieb - (Born March 29, 1967 in Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya). Captain of the winning Philippine regional Northern Luzon team in the Marlboro Tour '97. A farmer by profession, 5'5" tall, 120 lbs. A 10-year Marlboro Tour veteran with back to back wins in 1993 and 1994 as well as placing 4th in the Marlboro Tour '97. Considered as one of the Philippine's best mountain climbers.

Placido L. Valdez - (Born March 2, 1968 in Cabanatuan City). A strong sprinter and one of the country's most aggressive riders, finished 3rd in Marlboro Tour '97, 5'5", 115 lbs. Third place in the Marlboro Tour '92, '93, second place in '94 and '95 and first place in SEA games in Thailand in 1995.

Felix N. Celeste, Jr. (Born July 23, 1970 in Anda, Pangasinan). 5'7" tall, 120 lbs. Strong and consistent finisher in the Marlboro Tour of the Philippines over last 6 years (Top 6 places). Proven mountain climber with 3rd place in the Marlboro Tour '97 Mountains Classification and 10th place in the General Classification.

Bernard R. Luzon - (Born Nov. 9, 1975 in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija). The youngest member of the team who is showing great potential following 10th place in Marlboro Tour '96 and 7th place in Marlboro Tour '97 as Best Young Rider. 5'6" tall, 120 lbs.

The Philippine Team Manager is Arthur A. Cayabyab, a director of the Marlboro Tour of the Philippines' organizing body, the Professional Cycling Association of the Philippines.

"We see exposure in Europe's top cycling events as the next step in developing local riders who are the force that has driven the Marlboro Tour, Asia's toughest and longest multi-stage race. They have gained valuable experience here in Asia and the time is right for them to now test themselves against European riders," said Paddy Padilla, organizer of the Marlboro Tour.

This year the grueling 1,200-km Tour of Ireland has a total of 140 riders including national teams from Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, Belgium, France, South Africa and Germany, as well as top local teams from Ireland and the UK. This is the first year th0.the Philippines will be represented.

Pat McQuaid, president of the Federation of Irish Cyclists and a member of the cycling world-wide governing body, UCI, explained: "We have been keeping a close eye on the development of cycling in the Philippines and wanted to balance this year's Tour of Ireland field with a top team from the Far East."

Speaking at the conclusion of the Marlboro Tour 1997, where he was race director, he added: "at the current stage of Philippine cycling, the Tour of Ireland will be an ideal race to provide international exposure and much needed experience for the Philippine cyclists who are an emerging force in Asia."

This year's Tour of Ireland will cover a route of varied terrain from Dublin to Roscommon, Clifden, Lisdoonwarna, Tralee, Killorglin, Bandon, Tramore and Carlow, finishing in Swords.

Race organizer Dermot Digman said: "We in Ireland look forward very much to extending "Cead Mile Failte" (a hundred thousand welcomes) to the first-ever team from the Philippines to take plart in the Tour of Ireland. I am sure the riders will find our race tough, competitive but also sporting."

Adidas have confirmed their sponsorship of the team's clothing and will provide special apparel for Ireland's clool climate. "Following the support we gave the Marlboro Tour in 1997, we see this opportunity as further commitment to help develop our local cyclists so they are better equipped to compete at the international level" said Philip Go, managing director-Adidas Philippines.