News for September 12, 1997

Scott Sunderland Update - September 11

This is the first of a regular although not necessarily frequent update from Scott Sunderland. I hope you enjoy it. I just have to get him and Sabine (his wife) to get email!

Dear Bill

How are you? How was your trip home? We are starting to count the days here too, almost October, can't wait to get on that plane to Australia.

As you probably know already, Scott did not go to the Vuelta. His form was just not good enough the week before. [Bill notes: Scotty had had a viral infection and when I saw him in Belgium a few weeks ago he had just pulled out at the 180 kms mark in the Championship of Zurich on advice from Gan's team doctor] He has progressed well last week, feeling better on the bike since weeks. He rode the 52nd Tour Mandel-Lee-Schelde here in Belgium (Cat 1.3) on Saturday and finished 13th. Not bad at all. This week he will be preparing for GP Fourmies (Cat 1.1) which is on this weekend. The weekend after that there is Isbergues (Cat 1.1) to be ridden.

During the week Scott does some kermis races, to break the routine of dull long training riudes. He is looking forward to the last classics and to the World's. He has also nominated for the Australian Nationals [Bill notes: November] which is he pretty happy about. Not much news otherwise.

I'll let you know if anything happens or changes.

Sabine

The end for Jeannie Longo

Jeannie Longo announced that she will retire from cycling after the World Championships in San Sebastian. The Olympic champion said that she is now starting to feel the 'wear and tear' and that it's time to stop. The 38-year old Francaise is still one hour record holder (with 48,159 km) and had 11 world titles and 29 French titles on her personal list.

Belgian Team for MTB Worlds

The Belgian selection for the World Championship Cross Country and Downhill in Chateau d'Oex, France on September 11-21):

Male Elite: Filip Meirhaeghe, Peter Van den Abeele, Benny Heylen, Rudy De Bie

Male Espoirs: Roel Paulissen, David Hankart, Jurgen Van den Driessche.

Male Juniors: Patrick Trevisan, Davy Coenen

Women Elite: Lory Laroy

Women Juniors: Melanie Servais

Downhill: Pascal Closset, Werner Salien and Serge van Vuchelen.

Wingene Kermesse, Belgium, Elites 160 km (73 riders)

 1. J. Verstrepen (Bel)
 2. M. Van der Wolf (Ned)	0.03
 3. B. Heirewegh (Bel)
 4. P. De Wael (Bel)
 5. A. Korff (Ger)

Quote frome Jay Sweet :

"Well I've done what I've always hoped and planned to do ever since I started this sport and that was to sign a professional contract with a European team. Today I offically signed with the French team BIG MAT! It's a 2 year contract and I'll be living in Tolouse with Henk and Stewy or close by them."

Great News!