News for May 20, 1997

Rolf's Diary Update

Zihlschlacht, 15 May 97

I'm content. The day before yesterday 210km, yesterday 150, today 165. Only, this kilo is still not gone (better would be two!). But next week our team has a training camp in Chambery, in the French Alps, where we'll certainly be dieting. And then I'll finally see the Olympic champion and friend Pascal Richard again.

Zihlschlacht, 16 May 97

For 210 km I was cursing quite a lot. I was almost run over three times and every tenth car honked so agressively that it seemed to us that they blasted from right behind our rear wheel, and only because Alex Zuelle and I rode next to each other on an open road. The drivers who just have to go so quickly should opt for the "Autobahn"! Of course, today was Friday, and Fridays are always so.

Translated by David Wear

Criterium Amiens, France, May 14 1997

  1. Philippe Gaumont (Fra) Cofidis            100 km
  2. Frederic Moncassin (Fra) Gan              + 0.20
  3. Andrei Tchmile (Ukr) Lotto

Criterium Aubervilliers, France, May 14 1997

  1. Gilles Talmant (Fra) Big Mat              100 km
  2. Pascal Chanteur (Fra) Casino
  3. Cyril Saugrain (Fra) Cofidis
  4. Laurent Genty (Fra) Big Mat

Criterium Calais, France, May 14 1997

  1. Frederic Moncassin (Fra) Gan              100 km
  2. Frederic Guesdon (Fra) Francaise
  3. Marc Bouillon (Bel) Cedico
  4. Philippe Gaumont (Fra) Cofidis

ONCE

Jose Maria Arroyo, president of the Spanish National Organization of the Blind (ONCE), affirmed today that in 1999 they would decide if they would continue in cycling. "We were accused of having a team with too many foreign riders, so lately we have incorporated young riders with a future", commented the president. He also said that , even though the organization is going through a budget recession for the period of 1997 to 2000, the cycling team won't be affected. Arroyo recognized the importance that the team has had to represent ONCE outside Spain. In terms of what Saiz (ONCE's sport director) has said about being the dumbest off all, because he's the one that makes the least amount of money, Arroyo commented that neither the team director or Pablo Anton, the manager has never talked about money when they signed their contracts.

Racing in Finland

61st Hyrylan ajo, Helsinki, 17 May 1997

Men 100 km:

 1. Mikko Elo		TuUL		2.14.41 (44.549 km/h)
 2. Margus Joksi	TuUL
 3. Toni Korin		BorgaAk
 4. Esko Salminen	RuY		all s.t.
 5. Andrus Aug		TuUL		2.15.01
 6. Ville Keskimaki	TuUL		2.15.22
 7. Kristoffer Aberg	Akilles		s.t.
 8. Sixten Wackstrom	Akilles		2.15.36
 9. Esa Skytta		TuUL
10. Toni Lehtimaki	P-P		all s.t.
11. Markus Karvonen	TuUL		2.15.54
12. Bjorn Stenwall	TuUL
13. Patrik Hanninen	TuUL		all s.t.

Tuusulajarven ajot, Tuusula, 18 May 1997

Men 140 km:

 1. Andrus Aug		TuUL		3.20.55 (41.808 km/h)
 2. Andres Lauk		TuUL
 3. Sixten Wackstrom	Akilles
 4. Esa Skytta		TuUL
 5. Janne Maki		LaihLu
 6. Sami Hiltunen	LaKa		all s.t.
 7. Petri Tynkkynen	LaKa		   0.33
 8. Mika Hanninen	HelsPV
 9. Kristoffer Aberg	Akilles             s.t.
10. Esko Salminen	RuY		   1.40