News for September 11

Team Movements

Contrary to earlier reports that Laurent Madouas would be joining Motorola team-mate Lance Armstrong at Cofidis, Dutch teletext reports today that Madouas has signed a two-year contract with Lotto. Other riders to join Lotto are said to include Belgian Jo Plankaert (from Refin) and Frenchman Benoit Salmon (from Collstrop).

Swiss rider MAURO GIANETTI (Team Polti), the winner of Liege-Bastogne-Liege and the Amstel Gold Race in 1995, is to join Marc Madiot's Francaise des Jeux team, where he will join, among others, Max Sciandri and Andrea Peron. Another Swiss rider, PMU Romand's ARMIN MEIER, who figured strongly in the early stages of this year's Tour of Switzerland is to join Gewiss Playbus next season.

Lars Michaelsen has signed a contract for one year with TVM with an option for a second year. He is the the third Dane in Cees Priem's team after Jesper Skibby and Bo Hamburger. Michaelson (aged 27) previously rode for Festina. He was sought by Priem for the spring classics and also to help Jeroen Blijlevens in the lead up to the sprints.

Too Much Speed Behnid the Dernys

Dutch rider Michel Cornelisse (TVM) who tested positive for amphetamines after the motorbike-paced Criterium Teleport Derny last May has just been given a six-month suspension by the Dutch federation.