News for December 26, 1999

Lotto's new sponsor

The only Belgian first division team, Lotto solved its final major problem recently when the team got a new co-sponsor, the staffing company Adecco. The company has previously put most of its money into football (soccer), but has agreed to a one year deal with Lotto.

Lotto-manager Christophe Sercu (son of Patrick) signed the deal saying, "It's a beautiful Christmas present. Some people have to work more than 11 months to find a cosponsor, we did it in one month. We are very glad with Adecco. The Adecco-colour is red." Lotto's existing red-green outfit will change to be red-yellow-black.

Lotto has had sponsorship problems for quite some time, despite the fact that it has the reigning World Cup winner Andrej Tchmil in its ranks. They were not helped by the fact that there was a conflict between Jean Luc Vandenbroucke, who was their sports director for thirteen years, that ended with him leaving about a month ago. In the beginning of December he was replaced by ex-World Champion Claude Criquielion.

Luc Leblanc sues Polti

The French ex-World Champion, Luc Leblanc is suing Team Polti for 4.8 million francs (about 725,000 USD) according to an official statement on Christmas Eve from his lawyer.

According to the statement, Polti used "unrighteous methods" to escape payment for damages by formerly dissolving the team at the end of 1999 to start a new organization with most of its contracted riders and with the blessing of UCI. There were no comments to be had from Team Polti on Christmas Eve, but Luc Leblanc has announced a press conference for next Tuesday.

A French court in Salon-de-Provence declared on September 24 that Team Polti should pay Leblanc 4.8 million francs for annulling his contract at the beginning of the 1999 season. Several observers think that the reason for Leblanc's dismissal was the hiring of his "arch enemy" Richard Virenque. The two stars have during several years developed a hearty animosity.

Sad news from France

Courtesy of Nicholas Leroy

Pascale Ranucci, ex-professional female French cyclist, and sports director of the French women's road team was killed in a car crash on the night of December 23rd. She was 33, and has been the trainer of the French road team for 6 years.