First Edition TdF Cycling News for June 24, 2005
Edited by Anthony Tan & Jeff Jones
Blood transfusions tested for in Tour
Drug testing in the forthcoming Tour de France will test for homologous
blood transfusions, but not autologous transfusions or growth hormone,
the French national anti-doping laboratory announced on Thursday. According
to lab director Jacques De Ceaurriz, the much promised growth hormone
test, which was used at last year's Athens Olympics, is not able to be
used because of financial reasons, citing the global supply of antibodies
as a major problem.
Mr De Ceaurriz said that the homologous blood transfusion test will
be used for the first time at the Tour, even though it was announced as
going to be used at the start of last year's Tour. The controversial transfusion
test has already been used at the Athens Olympics and during the Vuelta
a España in 2004, with the then Phonak teammates Tyler Hamilton and Santiago
Perez both testing positive for the presence of another type of red blood
cell in their bodies. Appeals in those cases are still ongoing, with arguments
about establishing a false positive rate and the possibility of having
a "vanishing twin" being put forward by Hamilton.
During the Tour, riders will give 150 urine samples and 40 blood samples.
The World Anti-Doping Agency has asked that samples be kept for three
months following the Tour for possible later testing.
Saunier Duval for Tour
Saunier Duval Prodir team manager Joxean "Matxin" Fernandez has confirmed
his line-up for the Tour de France and has commented briefly on the ambitions
of each of the nine riders selected:
Angel Gomez Marchante: "He is the rider for the future. I can
imagine him wearing the white jersey in the Tour! Angel is very strong
and raced an excellent Dauphiné; he even gave shivers to the favourites!"
Constantino Zaballa: "He was already very impressive in the classics.
He is a rider who likes to work and has a strong fighting spirit. His
goal at the Tour is a stage victory!"
Juan Manuel Garate: "The specialist in big tours, Garate is a very
experienced rider who raced an amazing Giro, finishing fifth. His goal
is the general classification."
Nicolas Fritsch: "The Frenchy of the team! It's clear that Nicolas'
biggest goal of the season is the Tour; he trained very hard in the mountains
and raced a good Dauphiné as well."
Iñigo Cuesta: "Inigo is a perfect team-mate and will surely help
Marchante win a stage! He recently won a stage of the Tour of Catalunya."
David Cañada: "David will also hope for a stage victory. He is
really strong at the time trial and could also be part of some escapes...
"
Chris Horner: "Chris just came back to competition at the Tour
de Suisse after a broken leg; he won the sixth stage and finished fifth
on GC. He is physically and mentally at the top for the Tour."
Leonardo Piepoli: "Leonardo is one of the best climbers in the
world. He recently won a stage at the Tour of Catalunya and feels very
good. Expect him to be fast in the mountains."
Manuel Quinziato: "Manuel is a very powerful rider and feels very
good at the moment. He finished sixth at the Italian time trial championships."
Accompanying Fernandez in the team car at the Tour will be assistant
directeur sportif Pietro Algeri.
New rules for Fantasy Tour de France 05
This year's Fantasy Tour de France is under way, and you can begin building
your teams now! Be a professional team manager for the 2005 Tour de France,
with over 25 opportunities to win prizes in this year's game. Based on
the live racing action, you will take up the challenge of using your knowledge
and tactical skill as a race team manager to compete with managers from
around the world. For more info go to fantasy.cyclingnews.com.
Prize update
The prize sponsors are being finalised. TREK
has confirmed as our main sponsor and is providing a Madone Discovery
Team bike. Specialized is providing its latest eyewear for the 21 stage
prizes. Bontrager is providing us with two pairs of Bontrager Race
X-Lite Aero wheels, one Race X Lite OS handlebars, one Race XXX Lite OS
carbon stem, and one Race X Lite Pro saddle. More prizes will be confirmed
shortly.
New Rules
In conjunction with feedback and suggestions from players of the game
over three years, we have developed a new points system for the Tour games.
We've awarded more points to a greater number of riders and given back
more emphasis to GC placings. Thanks to all of you who helped us develop
the new points system. Have a look for yourself in the points
section.
Join for free
You can begin creating your team/s now. You can play the first eight
stages for FREE! We will be adding additions to the startlist on a daily
basis. The Tour games are easy to play, all you need to do to manage your
own team is select 15 riders from the live start list then select 9 of
these riders to race each day throughout the Tour. You score points according
to how well each of the riders place each day in the Tour. So try your
team today and see if it's for you. It's a great way to follow the Tour.
Create your teams now at fantasy.cyclingnews.com
Good luck!
The Fantasy Cyclingnews Team
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