News for March 5, 1998

Anthony Peden changes countries

Newcastle's (NSW) Anthony Peden (26), who has been on the edge of Australian national selection for many years has changed countries to further his international competitive sprinting career. Where? New Zealand. He was the star rider at the recently completed NZ National Track Championships which were held at the Denton Park velodrome in Christchurch.

Peden is ranked 6th sprinter in the world at presence and is hoping to represent NZ at the next Olympics. Where? Sydney.

He took the gold medal in the open keirin race beating the defending champions Darren McKenzie-Potter by 11.374 seconds a week after arriving in NZ to become a kiwi.

Chris Boardman out of Paris-Nice

The flu has stopped Chris Boardman (GAN) from entering the Paris-Nice 8 stage race which starts on Sunday. Boardman has had medical tests which advised against the participation. He was also too sick to ride in the Tour of Valencia last week. His return to the peloton is now intended to be at the Cholet-Pays de Loire (March 22).

Fayt-le-Franc to Auger

There were 85 riders at the start and the race was open for elites without contracts and Under-23s. The weather was terrible with teeming rain and strong winds. Auger won in a three up sprint. Ludo Dierckxsens and Erwin Thijs, couldn't remain in the top group and came in 4th and 5th, respectively.

 1. Ludovic Auger (Fra) BigMat Auber
 2. Mario Aerts (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar
 3. Tom Desmet (Bel) Collstrop
 4. Ludo Dierckxsens (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar
 5. Erwin Thijs (Bel) Vlaanderen 2002