Dear bill, How is it going? I just write you to let you know that Indurain is meeting today, Thursday in Spain, with ONCE to disscuss a contract for next year. It is just a meeting, but I believe something interesting would come out of that. Miguel is not very happy with Banesto right now. They made him do Tour of Spain against his wishes (I talked to him after the olympics and he didn't wanna do Vuelta, no way). Also, Banesto didn't resign Prudencio Indurain for next year after being his best season ever, and knowing miguel, that made him pretty mad, i bet. Also Miguel is continuing in cycling just to win the Tour. Obviously ONCE is the best team. Take care, (name not published here)
During three laps he was the rider who made the pace most of the time, especially on the hills of Comano and Crespera. In an admirable way he worked for his leader Gianetti. Most of the other riders were too passive, mainly for tactical reasons. No other nation than Switzerland had a favorite leader in this group. Johan Museeuw, who is a rider of a great class and who has an exceptional racing instinct, was not considered as a favorite.
Museeuw himself believed, that the race would be too hard for him.
The Italian newspaper "La Gazetta dello Sport" (Monday, Octobre 14th) shows what they call "Le Pagelle" some kind of schoolmarks. What I stated about Camenzind is also reflected in these marks.
The World's Report Card
10 of 10 : Museeuw
9.5: Gianetti
9 : Camenzind
8 : Fincato
7.5: Axel Merckx
7 : Bartoli, Rebellin, Tafi
6.5: Bugno, Chiappucci, Ferigato
6 : Casagrande, Elli, Pistore
5 : Guidi, Jalabert, Leblanc
4 : Riis
He had originally decided to call it a day in order to concentrate on developing his cycle equipment business.
But he declared it would be premature to quit and put back his retirement until after the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.
Obree has gradually been getting back to full fitness following his disappointing Olympics in Atlanta where he was far from his world record-breaking best due to a virus.
"It would be premature to retire and even though my business commitments may give me less time to train I could still compete effectively in track events on a scaled-down training schedule," he said.
Obree is still furious at the world governing body's decision to impose a second ban on him, this time because they find his straight-arm riding position unacceptable on "aesthetic grounds".