News for September 20, 1997
Sorensen's season over
The racing season is definitely over for the Rabobank rider Rolf Sörensen.
The World Cup leader fell during the Tour of Netherlands and injured
himself. During the sixth stage, the Dane crashed against a barrier and
broke his left hand. Sorensen must now keep his hand in plaster for several more weeks. He with therefore miss the World Road Race Championship, and the World
Cup races, Paris-Tour and the Tour of Lombardy.
Team leader of Rabobank, Theo de Rooy said "We have not had luck this
season. Rold had aimed to win the World Cup this season until this
injury." The team has been plagued by injuries the whole year. "Luttenberger, Van Bon,
Van Heeswijk, Nelissen, McEwen, .... All
have had breaks. That has been bad for the team.'' With the retirement
of Sorensen, it is now a fight between Bartoli (2nd with 228 points), Rebellin (3rd,
205 points) and Tafi (4th, 202 points) for the World Cup victory.
Blood Tests at Tour of Spain
Before Stage 12, the UCI conducted blood tests on riders from US Postal, Cofidis (Fondriest and Rominger), Flavia-Telecom and Asics (Chiappucci and Zaina). The results were that Fondriest had a haemocrit level of 45 (allowable up to 50), Chiappucci 48, Zaina 47.
Blood Tests out MTB riders
Four riders will not be allowed to start in the MTB World Championships
in Chateaux-d'Oex (Switzerland) on Sunday because of excessive hematocriet
levels in their red blood cells. They all had values in excess of 50 per cent
which is the allowable maximum. The four (the French Savignoni and Bonnard,
Belgian Meirhaeghe and Seamus McGrath of Canada) have been given a suspension of two weeks.
Savignoni, second in overall standing for the World Cup, was one of the
candidates for the world title.
Dutch women want coach removed
Five riders from the Dutch National Women's Team do not want to continue working
with the Team Coach Piet Hoekstra. The riders (Yvonne Brunen, Edith
Klep, Angela Hillenga, Debby Mansveld and Sandra Rombouts) have accused the coach
of being drunk during trips abroad. They also say the coach is 'unmotivated'
and is 'no expert'. In a public speech, Piet Hoekstra referred to his riders
as 'mongols'.
The chairman of the KNWU, Joop Atsma, said that he will talk with all parties this
weekend. "We have to make decisions very soon, because the World
Championships are within three weeks in Spain."
The five asked the KNWU to sack Hoekstra "in the interest of the
all female cycling". The riders say they are in danger when they have to
drive in a car with a drunken coach while on trips abroad. They further allege
that "he also brings girlfriends - without any function or task in our team -
with him to cycle races".
Three other Team riders (Ingrid Haringa, Meike de Bruijn and Daniëlle Moonen)
didn't sign the letter. Piet Hoekstra wasn't avaiable for comment.
Dutch rider to ride for the USA
The Dutch rider Patrick Eyk has won the Arizona State Championships. He broke
the old record of Andy Bishop in the individual time trial of 40 km with
50'33". Even though Eyk holds a Dutch passport, the USCF have asked Eyk to join the
American team for the Tour of Peru.
Lennie Kristensen out of MTB Worlds
The MTB European champion and Tour de France winner, Lennie Kristensen
will not ride the world championship because of a knee injury.
Some Help Required
I received this email this week. Can anyone help?
"I am an American visiting Australia to compete in the World Transplant
Games in Sydney, Australia in swimming and then bicycling on Saturday,
October 4th of this year. I have trained hard over the past 12 years,
since my kidney transplant, to maintain a good fitness level to help offset
the deteriorating effects of my chronic illness and have almost come back
from a triple bypass heart surgery of two years ago. My cycle training of
this summer has brought me back to the point where I can test my health and
renewed fitness in the bike race. However, I am unable to afford the
exorbitant transport and insurance fees that our domestic airlines impose
on cyclists ($50-$75US each way for each airline...I'm using 3x2 and $5 per
$100 value of the bike) and would need to buy a $350.00 Bike Case to be
able to insure the bike for its true value. As a cyclist I know you know
the cost of a good bike and its special value to their owners.
I think you see my predicament. I'm asking for your help in letting me
know of a bike shop that can rent me a racing bike for a couple days and
for how much, or if you might know of a club or club member that might be
willing to loan me a road bike. I am a member of League of American
Bicyclists (#2096925P) and the Toledo Area Bicyclists. During my stay in
Sydney I will be with "Team USA to the World Transplant Games" at the
Sunnybrook Hotel and Convention Center at 355 Hume Highway, Warwick Farm
N.S.W. from September 27th to October 6th, 1997.
Any help that you could extend to me is greatly appreciated. I leave
Toledo Friday night September 19th. Thanks and Good Cycling.
Ernest Prado"
P.S. The frame size I use is 56cm, center to center. I'll have my own
pedals.
Email Ernest directly at if you have any ideas.