Second Edition News for May 6, 1997

Aussies on road to Tour de france

For the first time an Australian professional road cycling team will contest one of the biggest lead-up events to the Tour de France.

Australia's only professional trade team, ZVVZ-Giant, has been invited to contest the Grand Prix du Midi Libre in France from May 27 to June 1.

One of the top stage races in the world, the event will see many of the teams and riders expected to shine in July's tour unveiling their full strength for the first time this year.

The Midi Libre will be the toughest stage race yet faced by the ZVVZ-Giant team that hopes to one day qualify for the Tour de France.

"It'll be a really tough race and there will be a lot of pressure on the other teams who are vying for a place in this year's tour to race well," ZVVZ-Giant manager Heiko Salzwedel said. "The big-name riders who are in the tour will also be looking for results at the Midi Libre to confirm form for their own peace of mind, or even to start waging the psychological battle against their rivals.

"Still, it will be a great learning experience for us. From time to time we have to go in races like this if we are to get a true measure of where we stand in our plans to one year contest the tour."

From the 14-strong ZVVZ-Giant squad, only eight riders are allowed to contest the Midi Libre.

German recruit Jens Voigt, who won the Commonwealth Bank Classic in Australia three years ago, is likely to lead the team.

However, from the four Australians likely to be selected, ACT's Peter Rogers could surprise the experts.

In the 206km Henninger Turm one-day classic in Germany on May 1, Rogers was in the 11-man breakaway group which stayed away for 150km before being caught.

The likely Midi Libre team:

Peter Rogers (ACT), Matt White (WA), Brett Dennis (Queensland), Damian McDonald (Victoria), Jens Voigt (Germany), Slavomir Heger, Tomas Konecny, Tomas Seldacek (all Czech Republic).