News for October 4, 1997

Contracts and Transfers

Ipso, a small Belgian team which mainly contests the National Events in Belgium (kermesse races) have announced their 1998 team will have 14 riders with Robbie Van Daele (good for 6 wins this season) as leader ('kopman')

Riders remaining with the Team (so far): Robbie Van Daele (Bel), Andy De Smet (Bel), Jan Poppe (Bel), Koen Beeckman (Bel), Michel Van Haecke (Bel), Franky Vanhaesebroucke (Bel).

New signings so far: John Talen (Ned) formerly with Foreldorado-Golff, Scott Guyton (NZ) - Stagiair Ipso 1997.

- Johan Bruyneel (Rabobank) has signed with ONCE for next season. The Belgian rider has returned to the Spanish team where he rode from 1992-1995. He will ride under the team leader Manolo Saiz and work for top rider Alex Zülle. Rabobank had pressured him to ride when he was injured.

- GAN have signed Frenchman Eddy Seigneur (from Francaise des Jeux) and the Swede Magnus Backstedt (from Palmans). Seigneur will be riding for France in the ITT World Championship in San Sebastian.

- Russian Alexandre Gontchenkov, recent winner at the Giro dell'Emilia, has reached an agreement with Team Ballan, the new team organized by Flavio Miozzo.

- Maurizio Fondriest will meet tomorrow with Cofidis management: to renew his contract for one more season with the French team.

- Spaniard Juan Carlos Dominguez, dominator in the Spring at the Vueltas of Valencia, Murcia & Cataluña, will move in 1998 to Team Vitalicio Seguros, the new Spanish team, which has also grabbed Andrea Ferrigato.

- Davide Rebellin has decided. He will ride for Team Polti for the next two years, the team that launched him into popularity last year at the Giro d'Italia (when he spent 9 days in the Pink Jersey). Industrialist Franco Polti, has meanwhile confirmed his commitment for an additional two years with Gianluigi Stanga's team. Team Polti has secured for next year: Fabrizio & Leonardo Guidi and Olympian Silvio Martinello. Rebellin is supposed to come with his brother Simone, but Stanga hasn't not confirmed that. Giosuè Zenoni will continue to train Rebellin.

Bruyneel injured during GP Puglia

On Thursday, during the GP Puglia, Johan Bruyneel fell and fractured hi pelvis. The Belgian was taken to the Tircase hospital in southern Italy. Earlier in the day, it had been announced that the Belgian rider has signed to ride with ONCE next year. He rode this year with Rabobank but never met their expectations. He was carrying injuries and did not get a Tour start this year. He was to be the first selection for the Belgian World's Team for the Road Race on October 12. He is the second Rabobank rider who has withdrawn from the GP Puglia with injury. On Tuesday, Erik Dekker broke his hand. That cost him a start in Paris-Tours, and in the World's Road and ITT races.

Danish team for the Worlds news

The Danish team will not just be without Rolf Sorensen, but also without the two veterans Brian Holm and Jesper Skibby, Holm is sick and Skibby is out of shape. Claus M. Moller who did very well in the Vuelta, until he broke his collarbone will participate but his form is unknown.

Michael Steen Nielsen (Under 23 - ITT and road race) who is the best Danish chance for taking a medal in the Worlds crashed into a car recently during a training session behind a pace car. It is still to early to say if it will give him any problems.

Van der Poel third in Cyclo Cross in Berlin

On Friday, Adri van der Poel took third place in an international Cyclo Cross event in Berlin. The race over 20.8 kms which took nearly an hour was held in Viktoria Park and won by Beat Wabel. The Swiss rider beat the Belgian Mario De Clerq and the Dutchman in the sprint. Van der Poel was leading four laps from the end. Declercq and Wabel came back to him and with the last lap, Van der Poel fell. 

 1. Wabel (Swi) 		20.8 km in 58.54
 2. Mario Declercq (Bel)
 3. Van der Poel (Ned)
 4. Wim De Vos (Ned)
 5. Peter Vervecken (Bel)	
 6. Simunek (Tsj)

Subida al Naranco, Spain, National Event, 175 kms:

  1. Roberto Heras (Spa) Kelme		  4.19.22
  2. José María Jiménez (Spa) Banesto        0.02
  3. Daniel Clavero (Spa) Estepona           0.07
  4. Félix García Casas (Spa) Lotus          0.07
  5. Toni Rominger (Sch) Cofidis             0.10
  6. Aitor Osa (Spa) Banesto                 0.15
  7. Roberto Laiseca (Spa) Euskadi           0.28
  8. Díaz Zabala (Spa) Once                  0.34
  9. Angel Edo (Spa) Kelme                   0.48
 10. Igor G. de Galdeano (Spa) Euskadi       1.53