News for March 15, 2002

Edited by Jeff Jones

Wadecki badly hurt in Tirreno-Adriatico

Canada and Fagnini out with broken collarbones

Polish Domo-Farm Frites rider Piotr Wadecki was the most seriously injured after the crash-marred first stage of Tirreno-Adriatico. Wadecki was involved in a fall in the sprint after Antonio Salomone (Index-Alexia) hit a light post. He was taken to hospital where they diagnosed frontal right fracture of his skull with trauma. Fortunately there was no damage to the brain and no internal bleeding occurred.

Wadecki did not lose consciousness, and is now recovering in the Santa Maria della Misericordia hospital.

Others involved in falls today included Francesco Casagrande, who hit a dog that ran onto the road shortly after Wadecki and Salomone's fall. Casagrande was not too badly hurt, suffering contusions and abrasions to his leg and right arm.

More serious were the injuries of Mapei's David Cañada and Telekom's Gian Matteo Fagnini, both of whom crashed on the final climb of the day and sustained broken collarbones. For Telekom, Fagnini's loss will be felt by Erik Zabel, who still managed to win today's stage. Fagnini is a key lead out man for Zabel, and was seen as an important cog in the German's Milan-San Remo title defence.

Rabo car involved in accident

One of Rabobank's team cars, driven by director Theo de Rooij, was involved in an accident near Sorrento (Italy) on Wednesday. De Rooij was travelling with the Zberg brothers in the car on their way to Tirreno-Adriatico, when a truck hit a car in front of them and they hit the truck. They were unhurt, but the car was a complete write-off according to De Rooij, who ordered a new one from the Netherlands.

Paris-Nice: Garcia Casas falls

Following the fourth stage of Paris-Nice that finished atop Mont Faron, Spaniard Felix Garcia Casas (BigMat) crashed on his way down the mountain. Garcia Casas, who was the day's most aggressive rider, fell quite heavily and was taken to hospital in Toulon. He suffered contusions but fortunately, no broken bones. He will be able to continue the Race to the Sun.

Robert Hunter abandons due to knee problems

Mapei's Robert Hunter has been forced to abandon Paris-Nice after the fourth stage. The South African sprinter was experiencing acute pains in his left knee. He will undergo tests this evening to determine the problem. For the same reason, Mapei's Kevin Hulsmans wasn't able to take part in the race yesterday.

Domo riders negative

The recent out of competition anti-doping tests carried out on the Domo-Farm Frites team following the Frank Vandenbroucke affair have turned out negative, according to De Standaard. The controls were carried out by Flemish government officials at the team's hotel in Waregem after forbidden products were found in VDB's house. The government intends to increase drug testing at races and out of competition this year.

Vandenbroucke will face the Belgian federation's disciplinary commission next Thursday in relation to the affair. Whatever happens with regard to possible sporting sanctions, it is not known yet whether he wishes to continue in cycling.

Groenendaal to face UCI in April

Dutch cyclocrosser Richard Groenendaal will face the disciplinary commission of the UCI in April. Groenendaal will have to explain to the UCI why he hit a Belgian supporter during a Superprestige race in Diegem last December. At the time, Groenendaal said that he was provoked by the fan. He was subsequently quoted in "Humo" magazine recommending that his supporters should take baseball bats to the World Titles in Zolder. According to Groenendaal, this was taken out of context.

The UCI commission will take up to three weeks to determine Groenendaal's fate.

Zeeland wants to host Ronde van Nederland start

The province of Zeeland wants to host the start of the 2003 Ronde van Nederland. Zeeland wishes to use the opportunity as a trial run for 2004, when it hopes to host the finish/start of a Tour de France stage. If successful in its Ronde van Nederland bid, the stage would run from Zeeland to Rotterdam.

US Nationals in memory of Phil Svitak

This year's USA Elite National Titles (July 18-21) will incorporate military cycling events in honour of Phil Svitak, a US Army soldier and armed forces cyclist who was recently killed in Afghanistan. Svitak, a member of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment based at Fort Campbell, was killed on Monday, March 4 in a shootout with Al-Qaeda and Taliban members hidden in a mountainous hideout in eastern Afghanistan.

Phil was also a member of the 2001 YMCA/Sun & Ski Sports Cycling Team, managed by the Trinity Sports Group, who are also promoters of this year's US National's. The National's will be hosted in downtown Nashville, TN and will be entitled:

"The 2002 'Title Sponsor' Freedom Fest, presented by 'Presenting Sponsors,' featuring the USCF Elite and Military National Championships."

Obviously, the title and presenting sponsors have yet to be found, but the Trinity group hopes to gain publicity (OK, it worked) by putting the National's up for auction on Ebay. The minimum bid is US$74,000 for a presenting sponsor and US$96,000 for a title sponsor.

More drama in Argus race as heat claims two riders

Of the estimated 40,000 starters in South Africa's Argus Pick n' Pay Cycle Tour, only 20,000 were allowed to finish after organisers stopped the race due to extreme heat conditions on the Cape Peninsula. Temperatures reached 39 degrees last Sunday and many riders were treated for heat exhaustion.

Two riders died the following day as a result, Clyde Windram (40) and Johan Le Roux (33). Both were suffering from extreme heat stroke.

It was the first time in the event's 25 year history that it had been stopped.

The dispute over the winner of the women's event still has now been resolved, with race organisers ruling that Ronel Liss had not in fact completed the course. She was found to not have crossed the timing mats at the highest point on the course, nor could she be seen on the fixed video of that point on the course and she was therefore disqualified.

An investigation is now also being pursued with respect to her husband Jago who may have won the A group race in the same manner.

Carraig Challenge preview

By Tommy Campbell, Irish Independent/Evening Herald/Sunday Independent

Mention the word Carrick on Suir in Co. Tipperary and one name will surface immediately. It's the inimitable Sean Kelly who graced the world stage for so many years and gave cycling great fillip. Unfortunately Sean is at Paris Nice but he'll surely be interested in the outcome of the Carraig Challenge which will be held in the vicinity of his home.

Of course for those who have a passing interest in historical matters. A landmark in the town is the Ormond Castle, which has been beautifully restored as a visitors centre. Henry the Eight of England married a young lady who was born in the castle, Anne Boleyn. That's posh for you.

Timmy Barry, Phillip Cassidy and Eddie O'Donoghue have one thing in common. Since the start of the cycling season they have won events respectively in Kanturk, Donore and Tralee over the last two weeks. This Sunday, one of them will certainly notch up another win, if current form is anything to go by.

The main promotion is the Carraig Challenge sponsored by the Carraig Hotel in Carrick on Suir.

"In 48 years, we have missed only one running, in 1978 because of snow and last year, the Foot and Mouth Disease. It is a bonus that Phillip Cassidy has decided to contest the event. He is certainly in form but I'm hoping as organiser of the event that the Carrick Cidona lads can rise to the occasion and thwart his efforts. His team Cycleways have the back up to cause problems for the locals.

"Both Timmy Barry who joined the club in the off season and Eddie O'Donoghue are also rarin' to go in front of the home supporters. They'll miss the support of Martin O'Loughlin who is away in Saudi Arabia contesting an international event on an Anglo-Irish team," said Paul Lonergan of the promoting club, Carrick Cidona.

The race gets under way at on o'clock on Sunday and covers 6 laps (75 miles in total) of the Fiddown circuit last used in 1998 for the National Championships. Morgan Fox who has yet to make his debut this year won that race ahead of David McCann who has gone on to greater things, but unfortunately this season he is in limbo because the team he signed for in Poland will not be in the peloton. His attention is to race in Italy. David is assured of his place for Northern Ireland in the Commonwealth Games due to be held in Manchester later this year.

Brian Kenneally is the defending champion. Brian was off the local scene last year. He was away with in France Team Ireland where he unfortunately picked up an injury, which sidelined him for the year.

Last weekend he was third in Kanturk, but informed sources say he is pitching his programme at the Shay Elliott, which will be held at the end of April. Also very high in his priority is the FBD Milk Ras. Both races carry Union Cycliste points. The Elliott for the first time will have points and according to Declan Crean of the Bray Wheelers, quite an interest is being shown from visitors as far away as Canada.

On Sunday also is the Dublin Drogeda with a start and finish in Finglas. This race is a handicap and entries are closed so as to facilitate the promoters Usher IRC in seeding the competitors. Normally the limit group give a good account of themselves. It is an ideal event for those attempting to find their way, so early in the season, and as always there is an attractive prize list.

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