News for September 17, 1997

Australia's First Pro Team folds

Australia's Institute of Sport Road Team has been suspended due to a large budget blowout and problems with sponsors. So the ZVVZ Giant AIS team is gone.

The 6 remaining riders have been told to seek contracts elsewhere. The coach, former East German, Heiko Saldzwedel was warned about the budgets last year, according to the Director Geoff Strang and he is getting blamed for the current problems. The Director has said that in additin there were some external influences beyond Heiko's control.

Non public news also suggests that one rider was sent back from Germany early after a drinking bout and a crashed team car. Please don't email me about this as I am not saying who until it becomes public.

Here is the Sydney Morning Herald's story this morning. It was written by JACQUELIN MAGNAY

Crisis meetings between coaches and sports administrators last week failed to rescue the Australian men's road cycling program, which will largely cease at the end of next month.

The director of sport at the Australian Institute of Sport, Geoff Strang, said yesterday the program, headed by coach Heiko Salzwedel, was $240,000 over budget and there was only $11,000 available after October 31 for the program.

"It will still be a program, but a residual one," he said. "There will be the two coaches, a mechanic and some sports science staff, but not much else."

AIS staff, the Australian Cycling Federation and riders will meet after next month to try to formulate a low-cost, small-scale program.

Salzwedel admitted he was over budget but said he had notified the AIS of the situation back in April.

Contracts and Transfers

Zenon Jaskula will retire at the end of this year.

Olano

Abraham Olano went to hospital in Pamplona on Monday for medical examination. "I want to know what there is physical with my body. I felt great on the first day of the Vuelta; but than i became weaker. It seems i had an empty feeling and no power at all. The decision to stop on Friday was diffucalt; but i think it was a good choice."

Is there a chance Olano will start in the World Championship in San Sebastian on October 12? "I hope i can start. But first i have to know what's wrong with me. I don't know or i start training now, yes or no."

Olano has criticised his doctor Ferrari for his weak condition. That was the reason he didn't go to his Italian doctor; but to the Spanish doctor Inaki Arratibel.

Dutch selection for European championship track in Berlin

The KNWU selected nine riders for the championship (September 19-21). The riders are:

Professionals: Peter Pieters omnium, Ronald Rol, Patrick de Boer and Willem Fack stayers

Neo-amateurs: Martin Benjamin sprint, Robert Slippens omnium.

Women, Ingrid Haringa, Mariëlle van Scheppingen omnium Karin van Leine pursuit.

Moncassin

Fréderic Moncassin got only a warning from the UCI for breaking Rolf Aldag's nose in the Dauphiné Liberé. It was only a warning because he came to an arrangement with Aldag. A major factor in forming an agreement was that Aldag decided not to go to court.

Sørensen out for the rest of the season

After new consultations at a special clinic in Lucca, it was learned that the plaster will have to stay on the injured hand, for an additional 14-18 days. Together with his physician, Checcini, Sørensen has concluded that he will not be able to recover in time for finishing the season. Thus he will not participate in the two last World Cup events, nor will he participate in the Worlds.

Desselgem - Belgium - Elites and Espoirs, 155 kms

 1. Wim Feys (Bel)
 2. Johm Talen (Ned) Foreldorado-Golff
 3. Ludo Dierckxsens (Bel)
 4. Mario De Clercq (Bel)
 5. Chris Peers (Bel)

104 riders

Memorial Nencini, National Race, No UCI Points, Mountain Climb ITT, Barberino di Mugello, Italy, September 14, 1997

  1. Vladislav Bobrik (Rus) Ros Mary   14 km. in 29.30 (28,475 km/h)
  2. Filippo Casagrande (Ita) Scrigno             0.14
  3. Alessandro Baronti (Ita) Asics               0.19
  4. Gilberto Simoni (Ita) MG-Technogym           0.36
  5. Riccardo Forconi (Ita) Amore & Vita          0.37