Cyclo Cross World Cup Race at Friuli:1. Richard GROENENDAAL (Neth) in 57.24 2. Van der Poel (Neth) 0.06 3. De Vos (Neth) 0.20 4. M. De Clercq (Bel) 0.22 5. Simunek (Czech Rep) 0.26 6. Janssens (Bel) 0.28 7. Arnould (Fra) 0.30 8. Chiotti (Fra) 0.32 9. Vervecken (Bel) 10. Van Santvliet (Bel) 0.36 .. 15. L. Bramati (Ita A) 1.23 .. 19. Pontoni (Ita A) 1.52 .. 22. Fontana (Ita A) 2.02 23. G.M. Bramati (Ita B) 2.14 Current World Cup Standings1. Richard GROENENDAAL 40 2. Van der Poel 30 3. Janssens 22 4. Simunek 21 5. M. De Clercq 20 .. 14. L. Bramati 8 Olano ReportAbraham Olano assured today in Aviles that he will resume training next month, focusing on next season, in which I will defend the Banesto colors and he assured that for now his main objective will be the Tour de France. About Miguel Indurain continuing on the team, Olano mentioned that he would like to ride next to the Five Time Tour Winner at Banesto, "but it is he, who has to decide if he will continue riding next season and with what team", he said. The 1995 Road World Champion was in Aviles today to participate in the first anniversary of his fan club, with whom he rode fifty kilometers this morning.Indurain Comments of Blood Tests for Dope ControlMiguel Indurain, said he was relaxed about the petition made by various sectors of Italian cycling in terms of starting the taking of blood samples to prevent new forms of dopage, he has said that he has no problems with them as long as they are for everybody."On my part for the blood controls, there is no problem, although it could be argued by people that might have religious problems or others. I wouldn't have a problem with going through them as long as they were for everyone and they were done right", said Indurain. The Navarran rider said that there is a lot of talk about the dopage matter for some substances which are not detectable unless a blood test is done, but he doesn't know if this is true or not. "If it was like that, the responsibility should land on everybody, since the athlete needs to be going strong, to be in good form, recuperate from one day to the next, the sponsor pressures, the system... There should be a rigid and serious control and a way of doing it", commented Indurain. The Italian Association of Professional Cyclists (ACCPI), in a meeting celebrated today in Milano, amongst other things has requested the introduction of the blood tests, to combat dopage. Italian rider Gianni Bugno, one of the heavy weights at the ACCPI, has been quoted as saying that: "the riders have already done what they had to do and now the organizations need to join in". Henri Verbruggen, president of the UCI, said about it: "we are happy of the rider's initiative and I believe that Cycling, from this moment should confront the problem". Motorola winds upAs the current season comes to a close and the Motorola Cycling Team winds up it's existence on Dec, 31st 1996 many of you have asked about the whereabouts of team members for 1997. I have included a list showing where all the riders in the team will be transfered next year. It is nice to note that every racing member of the Motorola Cycling Team was picked up by other teams, except for the two riders who had already planned on retirement.I hope you will follow with interest the progress of some of the younger members of the team who performed exceptionally well at the end of the season. I will continue to issue up dates on Lance Armstrong's condition in his fight against testicular cancer and like every one else hope to see him racing on the road's of Europe again next year. Rider Country Team for 1997 Andreu, Frankie USA Cofidis (France) Armstrong, Lance USA Cofidis (France) Fraser, Gord Canada Mutuelle S. et M. (Fra) Hincapie, George USA US Postal Service (USA) Julich, Bobby USA Cofidis (France) Livingston, Kevin USA Cofidis (France) Madouas, Laurent France Lotto (Belgium) Merckx, Axel Belgium Polti (Italy) Montoya, Jesus Spain Retiring Ozers, Kaspars Latvia New Italian Team Randolph, Greg USA GT Mountain Bike Team Peron, Andrea Italy Francaise des Jeux (Fra) Sciandri, Max G.B. Francaise des Jeux (Fra) Thibout, Bruno France Cofidis (France) Van Heeswijk, Max Holland RaboBank (Holland) Vanzella, Flavio Italy Francaise des Jeux (Fra) Yates, Sean G.B. Retiring Rider's Comments on 1997 Giro RouteMiguel Indurain (recorded comments): "Is a Giro for riders that know how to defend themselves in all terrains. A pure climber only has the three days previous to the final, but it is not so difficult. The start is complicated, sinuous, with a mountain time trial (3rd stage) and the finish at Terminillo (5th), tough for the first week. But one shouldn't start too strong or otherwise one will not reach the finish. In the middle part there is a rest day and a finish at Cervinia (14th), with a slope of 5%, not very tough.The final part has a ITT, with a climb to the finish, which is more difficult to the body. The 19th stage is important, with a lot of climbs and the Coppi mountain top. The twentieth stage finishes in a climb and on the next one at Mortirolo, which I know because I have suffered there. Marco Pantani could feature here. There is time for recuperation for the riders. A Giro for Indurain? The start is a little nervous for me, because if I have to face a Giro and a Tour I have to reach them right in form. There is now a 50% that I will ride next year and 50% that I will leave cycling". Claudio Chiappucci: "It is a passionate Giro, like in the last few years, because there is a little of everything, less time trials. There are tough stages. On paper a beautiful race, without as many mountains as in other occasions, but the ones in it are difficult, like the Mortirolo and three tough stages at the end". Gianni Bugno: "It is a tough route, although the last three days in the mountains are not as tough as the 1996 edition. The riders will have to reach the start of the Giro in good form because difficulties start from the beginning". Eugeni Berzin: "They decrease the time trial kilometers each year, while they increase the mountain. I'm favorable to a Prologue Time Trial like at the Tour. Sprinters have less space to show themselves at this Giro '97". Pavel Tonkov: "Is a beautiful Giro, with climbs already on the first stages. The route has big spaces for whomever wants to attack". |