News and Race Reports for September 18

Francois Simon

Castorama rider Francois Simon who was to have joined the aborted La
Francaise des Jeux team has has signed for GAN for the 1996 season.

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Motorola Slims Down

Motorola, L'Equipe quotes team public relations head Paul Sherwen as
saying, is to reduce its team from 20 to 15 riders for the 1996 season. "We
have definitely signed Sciandri and Vanzella", he said, "and we are hoping
to firm up negotiations with Madouas and Thibout next week."

Riders likely to leave the team include Steve Bauer who may join a team on
the US circuit, Steve Swart and Bjorn Stenersen. Michel Dernies is to go
into retirement. Sherwen says the team has offered a new contract with
Alvaro Mejia, but Kelme is negotiating with him and has offered more money.
Axel Merckx has signed a new contract for 1996.
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New French/German Pro Team Takes Shape

The new pro team promoted on the initiative of the French departement
[administrative region] of La Creuse is taking shape. Last weekend the
manager Jean-Claude Cluis was in Nuremberg to meet representatives of
Middle Franconia, the German region twinned with La Creuse which is taking
part in the project.

The Germans have pledged D-Marks 1 million (US dollars 700,000) which comes
from four sponsors, the main one of which is a manufacturer in the food
industry. On the French side, French francs 6 million (US dollars 1.2
million) has been promised. Among the French sponsors named is the
industrial company Christian Fenioux, which specialises in "phytotherapie".