News for October 28


STOP PRESS

Race leader Stephen Swart (Motorola) has withdrawn from the Classic
after crashing. His teammate Max Van Heeswijk, who took over the
outright lead during today's 12th stage, also crashed and is doubtful
for the final two stages. Ralf Grabsch (Germany, Bosch) won the stage
with Pasi Hokkanen (Sweden-Sportscover) and Van Heeswijk second and
third, respectively. It appears almost certain Heeswijk will not start
the next stage, handing general classification leadership to Chris
Lillywhite.


Subject: Open des Nations - day 3 - FINAL

* POINTS RACE - 40 rounds, 4 sprints, 3 riders per country

Shortly after the one neutralized round there's an australian with a
defect. He has 3 rounds to get it fixed.

A france-espoirs rider attackes, but aus and ita counter. Fults (ger)
attacks.

The aus with defect is back now, Fulst doesn't make it to the 1st
sprint.
1. Hartwell wins it,
2. Bartko (ger)
3. Martinello

A french attack, Monin. Patuelli joins him but doesn't want to
continue. Usa counter.

Then McGee, brings up the pace with O Grady in his wheel.

1. O Grady
2. Martinello
3. Da Cruz (fra)

Moreau (fra) escapes directly following that sprint. Takes almost half
a round, is in triathlon position on a normal steer. Spa + Ita work in
the group and get him back just before the sprint. Llaneras wants to
get away but can't help that

1. Magnin wins this sprint
2. Llaneras
3. Patuelli who is countering for Martinello

Magnin and Llaneras team up for a couple of rounds. Copeland and
Frierick chase. Fulst escapes to get to Magnin/Llaneras but a
frenchman counters him. Still the two guys don't make it and 2 danish
plus an aus seem to get this last sprint but

1. Monin outsmarts them on the outside
2. Piil
3. Galvez

There is nobody with more than 4 pts which makes Monin a winnner
because he got the last sprint.

* OLYMPIC SPRINT  - 3/4 place
(this is the one with 3 riders, 3 rounds, 1 rider to finish)

France-Espoirs vs France
  That start is delayed due to a defect on Rousseau's rear wheel. The
  mechanic takes an awfull long time replacing the wheel but he's
  under pressure because Bercy, Eurosport and r.b.r. are watching him
  on his fingers.

  The french A-team wins in 46.477

* OLYMPIC SPRINT - final

Italy vs Australia

  Kelly does the last round for aus and clocks 46.123, Capitano in the
  last round for ita finished close in +0.040.

* INDIVIDUAL PURSUIT

This must be a final. It's Collinelli, the vice WC who beats
Emmenault. (3.19.882 + 3.777).

In the overall the italians have passed usa now for 4th place.

* SPRINT - 5/8 place

They finish in starting order: Clay, Nielsen, Chiappa, Morelon.

* SPRINT - 3/4 place

Fiedler again from front starts a long sprint, Rousseau comes half way
his front wheel but not further.

* SPRINT - final

Moreno draws front. He makes speed immediately, goes up, down, up
again, slow curve now, they come down, Hill suddenly moves into the
little space on the left inner side (Moreno is above the red line so
it's ok), surprises Moreno for just enough to take a decisive lead.

* ELIMINATION - every 2 rds last rider goes out, 2 riders/ctry on
track.

The french again lose both riders first again, like yesterday.
Then go out:
Dandanell (den)
Da Cruz (fra-e are out)
Alzamora (esp out)
Lehmann
Van Eijden (ger out)
Copeland
Martinello (it was either him or Paris)
Hartwell (usa out)
  3 riders left, they slow down
  Paris (ita) leads
McGee is out (aus out)

  I don't know who the danish rider was but he tries to outsprint
  Paris without success. Italy win before Denmark.

Martinello had lead the group for a large part of the race, with Paris
comfortably in his wheel. Until they happened to be at the rear of the
little group that was left and Martinello decided to let go.

* TEAM CHASE - final

The french take a quick lead, but their first km time isn't all that
good. Later the usa lose 2 men, and they need at least 3 to finish.
Shortly after that the french overtake them, game over.


* ONE ROUND TT - flying start

Italy are now 'Puntgleich', level, with the germans. Only the one
round TT with flying start left to race.

  Lequellec, fra-e   13.762
  Nielsen, den       13.646
  Fiedler, ger       13.068 (better than Huebner yesterday I believe)
  Neiwand, aus       13.285
  Capitano, ita      13.315 (germany beat italy)
  Moreno, espanya    13.003 good guy
  Northstein, usa    13.061 and what about that.
  Rousseau, fra      13.072


FINAL OVERALL
-------------
France         159 pts
Australia      149
Germany        128
Italy          125
USA            122
Espanya        103
Denmark         87
France Espoirs  63


Where are Holland and Belgium?? What do you mean these are cycling
countries, they can't even get a track team together. It's a pity.
Around 20 000 spectators in Paris over 3 days...

Radboud.

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GOSSIP
======

Johan Museeuw, 1995 World Cup winner, has prolonged his contract with
the Italian team Mapei for four more years.