News for November 10
Banesto Signs Hunt
English sprinter Jeremy Hunt, who has been riding with the French amateur VC St
Quentin squad this season, has signed for 1996 with Banesto. "We have followed
him all season," said Banesto official Francis Lafargue, "and signed him because
he is a very fast finisher. We won't expect too much of him this coming year,
but in two or three years I think he can improve." Banesto have signed only two
new riders this year -- Hunt, and another sprinter, Frenchman Damien Nazon, who
rode as a stagiare with the now-defunct Castorama for the end-of season races.
Ekimov's Lucrative Vacation
Don't expect a comment from me about a race in a horrendous dictatorship
sponsored by a cigarette manufacturer (end of editorial -- RT). But Viatcheslav
Ekimov did remark after taking the 250,000 French (US$50,000 ) franc prize that
it was "like being on a vacation except for the last two days".
Pantani's Progress
After initial worries that Marco Pantani's leg injuries might put him out of
action for ever as a pro cyclist, the latest reports suggest that he should be
on his feet within four months and able to ride again in six to eight.
MONACO SIX-DAY - final (11/7)
1. Zabel (Ger) - De Wilde (Bel) 315 pts;
2. Baffi - Lombardi (Ita) 294 pts;
3. Madsen - Veggerby (Den) at 1 lap, 305 pts;
4. Martinello - Villa (Ita) at 1 lap, 279 pts
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TAX-SHY IN MONACO - World champion Abraham Olano is to move from his native
Basque Country and take up residence in Monte Carlo, Monaco. There he'll be
joining some of the worlds best Formula One drivers, tennis players, alpine
skiers, multi-millionaires =8A and his team-mate Tony Rominger. Income-tax in
the Principality of Monaco is 0 % by the way.