Rolf's Diary UpdateZihlschlacht, 26 May 97After I messed around with my bike for almost the whole morning, I finally brought it to the mechanic. I wanted him to set up my Mtb cow horns on my handlebars. And now it's perfect, the racing position is almost like my time trial bike! Since I've never been a big fan of these cow horns for ordinary racing bikes, I've never actually installed one. Then I was admiring the set up of a Scott manager's regular racing bike with Mtb horns, short discreet, and light. And they sent me a package promptly to my house. By the way, the ITM handlebar set up is very good, looks nice, and is very light. Chambery, 23 May 97 I'm quite content, I don't have to ride in the Midi Libere next week. It comes too soon for my present form. I can again train two weeks at home in peace and quiet. Afterwards, I'll start at the Tour of Luxembourg in order to find my racing rhythm and then I'll be armed for the Tour de Suisse and the Tour de France. An ideal programme. Today we rode, by the way, 160km with 5 mountains. On top of the third we measured our lactate level, my lactate was 7,2 over the threshold, but I could feel that without having to measure it! Chambery, 22 May 97 Rest day, 125km, good legs. We received a new fridge for our team bus. Many home makers would be very jealous of such a thing. Our Masseuses keep our food for the feed zones in it, and it'll hold some ice cream as well. Across the way stands the washing machine and the dryer for the daily wash. Next to that are many shelves for clothing, Muesli boxes, bottles of syrup, water and cola, hundreds of water bottles, etc. In the rear area the mechanics work, with the work bench and the replacement parts. 29 bikes and 136 wheels also find room in there. In case any of the readers are in the area, use the opportunity and stop by! Chambery, 21 May 97 I just came from my massage. Actually I'm not a great fan of it, but when one is so blown, simply lying there, thinking of nothing and only recovering is good. Unfortunately, the muscles hurt during the massage too, and not just a little. But they can do so today, 200km with eight mountains, and not even a little slow. At least I could already leave four riders behind... If this continues I'll be in form by the end of training camp! Translated by David Wear Transfer Rumour Mill Cranks UpIn the hothouse atmosphere of the Giro d'Italia (with 30 degree temperatures these last few days that's literal as well as metaphorical) initiatives are already being taken on team changes for next season. Saeco, for one, the team of Mario Cipollini, Ivan Gotti and Francesco Casagrande, has made no bones about its wish for changes next year, not least because there are disputes in the team, notably between the sprinters Cipollini and Silvio Martinello. Martinello, who refused to ride the Giro because it would have meant working with Cipollini is now rumoured to be negotiating with Mapei for 1998. Saeco is said to be seeking 1996 Ronde van Vlaanderen and 1997 Liege-Bastogne-Liege winner Michele Bartoli for 1998. It could, however, lose Roberto Petito, currently fourth in the Giro, who is said to be being sought by both Batik and a new Spanish team, Seguros Vitalicio, to be directed by Javier Minguez.And what of Super-Mario, the Lion King, Mario Cipollini himself? Banesto is not riding the Giro, so what was its directeur sportif Jose Miguel Echavarri doing there? Looking for riders, it's said. Last Thursday's stage winner at Lanciano, Brescialat's Roberto Sgambelluri, admits to having been approached by Echavarri and it is said that Cipollini also received a concrete offer from Banesto. Rincon Retirement RescindedColombian climber Oliveiro Rincon who retired from racing at the end of 1996 after a disappointing spell with ONCE has signed a two-year contract (taking him to the end of 1999) with the new Spanish team Seguros Vitalicio. |