Second Edition News for September 17

Obree still ailing

Britain's Graeme Obree on Monday pulled out of a world championship event for the second time in four weeks.

The Scot recently withdrew from the defence of his world 4,000 metres title in Manchester after a disappointing performance in the Olympic 4,000 metres pursuit because of a viral infection,

His manager, Frank Quinn, said on Monday Obree would also not take part in the world time trial championship at Lugano on October 10 because of lack of form.

``His condition is not good enough for a high-level event. He has not trained 100 per cent for some four weeks because the infection has weakened him,'' Quinn said.

More on Riis and Telekom:

Bjarne Riis, his Danish manager and Telekom director Walter Godefroot will meet in Luxemburg on Friday to discuss the last open questions about a new contract for the 32-year-old Dane. Godefroot has offered a two-year contract, Riis wants to sign for three years. Both sides agreed about all financial questions some time ago. It seems as if only the length of the contract is a point of discussion. Last saturday, Riis stated he would like to stay with Telekom, although he has some other offers.

After signing Georg Totschnig, Giovanni Lombardi and Frank Corvers, it seems also to be clear who has to go at the Telekom team. Olaf Ludwig resigns, and it is said that Michael Andersson, Gerd Audehm and Jurgen Werner won't get a new contract for 1997. A final talk will be made with Kai Hundertmarck.

Women Individual Time Trial championship, Germany, 30 km:

 1. Hanka Kupfernagel (Berlin)      	 38.52
 2. Judith Arndt (Frankfurt/Oder)   	+ 0.53
 3. Vera Hohlfeld (Erfurt)              + 2.04