News for September 26, 1997

Transfers and Contracts

Lucien De Louw (last two years with profteam Foreldorado) goes to the amateur team Giant. He will also ride for the MTB team of Giant.

Roland Meier from Post Swiss-team to Cofidis.

Casagrande in Car Accident

Italian cyclist Francesco Casagrande, one of the possible team captains for the Worlds at San Sebastián, came out uninjured out of a car accident suffered today on the Florencia-Pisa-Livorno Expressway. Casagrande was traveling with Franco Chioccioli, ex-cyclist and current sport director for "Saeco" and masseur Gabriele Mugnaini. Of the 3, only Chioccioli, winner of the 1991 Giro d'Italia, required medical assistance. He was transported to a Florence hospital when he complained of head ache and pain in the neck. After an examination it was found that he had a slight craneal trauma and was released. The accident occured in a zone of the highway where maintenance work was been done. The car, a Fiat Marea, slowed down, but was hit in the back by a truck. Casagrande's bike hit Chioccioli.

More on Anthony Adams

A law that was written 150 years ago, in case a horseman rode too fast through the center of town, has been applied to an unlikely victim. Twenty four year old Anthony Adams, was training for an attempt to the Hour Record and was asked to stop and fined 120 pounds in the center of Cambridge.

Adams, a mailman with a dream, to beat his compatriot Chris Boardman's hour record (56,375 km) was pedaling at about 40 km/hr at around midnight, when a policeman made him stop. He was thrown straight inside a police truck. The Englisman was fined because he was: "furiously pedaling, disturbing the peace of the residences and the people around him". The law used by the policeman dates from 1847. Anthony Adams has refused to pay the 120 pounds and risks 3 months in jail. A British story, very British.

Falling Out in Spain

Banesto's sport director, Eusebio Unzué, attacked yesterday his old friend Javier Mínguez saying that "Vitalicio (the new Spanish team) has come into cycling acting like the Mafia, without scruples". Just like it was reported on Monday, Santi Blanco has signed for 3 years with Seguros Vitalicio of Javier Mínguez, using regulation 1.006 [??], which he used to invalidate the contract that he had with Banesto which would keep him there for 2 more years.

Javier Mínguez, who will be the director for team Vitalicio next year, explained that he got interested in Blanco's contract state at la Vuelta a Galicia and when we saw that signing him was possible we went for him. "I understand if this was not liked by Banesto. I've tried to contact Echávarri by phone and he has called me, but we haven't talked. I understand that they are angry, but since we are all intelligent people, I hope that one day we can all sit down on the same table". Lastly Santi Blanco said that " "Banesto defends Banesto's interests, Vitalicio defends their interests and Santi Blanco defends his own. Mínguez & Vitalicio came to me. I will change teams not only because of money. I was fine in Banesto and without this super offer, I would have stayed there. But I think that at Vitalicio I will have more career opportunities.

Olano not looking good for the Worlds

Abraham Olano has withdrawn from the Coppa Placci (25th), Giro Emilia (26th) and the Giro d'Etna (28th). He was going to use these races as a tune-up for the Worlds. Instead he will be submitted to a test to see if he has regained his strength and if he can contest any one day races before San Sebastián.

Vandenbroucke problems

It is uncertain whether Frank Vandenbroucke can start in the World Championships in San Sebastian. He has problems againg with his left-hip and has flown - after consultation with team doctor Yvan van Mol - to Italy. He will start in 4 races and than he will make a decision. If he doesn't start, Johan Bruyneel will go to the WC for Belgium.

Dutch Women's Saga Continues

After consultation with Piet Hoekstra (who has been stood down for at least 6 weeks), Hennie Kuiper announced the Dutch Women's selection for the World Championships in San Sebastian.

Edith Klep, Debby Mansveld, Meike de Bruijn, Yvonne Brunen, Elsbeth Vink, Chantal Beltman and Mirjam Melchers will start today in a training camp in Limburg.

National champion Nicole Vermast hass also been selected but will ride in Germany this week. The Netherlands is allowed a team of eight women: 6 on the road and 2 in the ITT.