- Colombo to Ballan - Team Ballan, the new team from Flavio Miozzo, has defined their basic structure: with sprinter Endrio Leoni, Russian Alexandre Gontchenkov and Gabriele Colombo, winner of Milano-Sanremo 1996. Also 3 neo-pros: Filippo Baldo, second at the Baby Giro '96 & '97 and brothers Alberto & Rodolfo Ongarato.
- Massimo Strazzer to Cantina Tollo-Carrier - Massimo Strazzer, who this season rode for Roslotto-ZG Mobili, will wear the jersey of Cantina Tollo-Carrier for '98. For '97 the sprinter had four wins: stage at the Tour of the Mediterranean, the Clasica Almeria, a stage at la Vuelta a Murcia and one at the Three Days of La Panne.
- Dominguez leaves Kelme - It is official now: Juan Carlos Dominguez will leave Kelme for Vitalicio Seguros with Gonzales, Ferrigato & Rincon. The Spanish team plans to race the Giro in '98.
Museeuw is to decide on Tuesday whether he is fit for the 256.5 kms championship following a recurrence of kidney trouble which he suffered during the Tour de France in July.
The Belgian withdrew from the Paris-Tours race on Saturday, the eve of that final World Cup race, and returned home.
Local hero Abraham Olano was last week removed from the list of contenders because of the viral complaint that took him out of the Tour of Spain.
Two years ago the Basque gave his nation their first world title as road race champion and was also a silver medallist in the time trial.
His fourth place in the Tour de France strengthened his rating among the favourites for Thursday's elite class time trial championship.
That crown decided over 32.6 kms will be defended by Switzerland's Alex Zuelle. Last year his golden triumph followed 10 days after winning the Tour of Spain.
A repeat of his Tour victory a week ago in Madrid makes the Swiss a firm choice for another gold against a host of challengers.
His compatriot Tony Rominger and Britain's Chris Boardman, the bronze and silver winners last year in Lugano, Ukrainian Sergei Gontchar, German Uwe Peschel and Russian Yevgeny Berzin are the more notable threats.
Jeannie Longo seeks to add to the world road medals she has collected over the last 16 years.
The Olympic road race champion from France is listed to contest the elite time trial on Wednesday and Saturday's road race in pursuit of an eighth title.
Ten championships will be decided over six days starting on Tuesday as the junior road race and time trials for men and women have been added to the under-23 and elite championships.
It is 32 years since a world road championship was decided in the Basque region.
Then, Tommy Simpson gave Britain their first professional gold with the initial 40 kph ride in a world road race championship.
France last hosted the championships at Chambery in 1989.