News for July 19, 2000

Etxebarria unsure

David Etxebarria (ONCE) who recently pulled out of the Tour de France is not sure yet who he'll be riding with next year. There is rumoured to be an offer from Euskaltel-Euskadi but this is certainly not final. As far as his future with ONCE is concerned, there is none according to his manager, Sabino Angoitia. ONCE's director, Manolo Sainz does not get on with Angoitia and the negotiations between the two over David's potential contract for next year broke down.

According to Angoitia, who gave an interview on Euskadi Radio, Sainz does not want to talk and the situation is quite tricky. So, Etxebarria is on the open market now and he doesn't know how much he is worth with ONCE. Division II team (but with their sights set on division I) Euskaltel-Euskadi are a good prospect, "I was in contact with an associate of Julian Gorospe [director of Euskaltel], and he said to me that he would be looking at Etxebarria to see how he was. I explained to him that right now he is listening to offers and that he can be considered free," said Angoitia.

At the moment, Euskaltel are currently busy racing in Portugal but a meeting between Angoitia and Gorospe himself is planned this week.

More rumblings in Farm Frites

Is it possible to have a peaceful period in the Farm Frites-team? Team doctor Dion van Bommel is angry. "People in the team are trying to break the position of Jacques Hanegraaf, there is a PR-man (Ardie den Hoed) who talks a lot of nonsense and there is a suspicious atmosphere."

Den Hoed told the press on Monday that Van Bommel should leave the team after the Tour. "Nonsense," Van Bommel said. "I have nothing to do with Den Hoed and I won't quit. I will talk to Hanegraaf after the Tour about the position of Den Hoed."

There was a conflict between Den Hoed and Van Bommel. Public relations officer Den Hoed had a discussion with Van Bommel on Sunday. "I told him to do his business, and I do my business. He is for the aspirins, I am for the media connections. The sponsor asked him to be in the background earlier on."

Den Bakker says no to Sydney

Maarten den Bakker has cancelled his selection for the Olympic Games in Sydney. Union coach Gerrie Knetemann was not surprised by the decision. "I understand it completely. Maarten will do everything for the World Championships. And I also think it's nearly impossible to do both races well because of the jet lag and the ten days between the two events."

The final Dutch selection will be announced on August 8 by Knetemann.

Wesemann update

Telekom's Steffen Wesemann, who crashed out of the Tour de France with a broken collarbone is currently in Switzerland and is considering an operation to pin the bone. His immediate plans had to be shelved, and he considers the season to be finished. He was looking forward to meeting his Peace Race nemesis, Piotr Wadecki (Mroz) in the "Nacht am Hanover" on August 4, but has ruled this out as a result of his injury. The organisers were disappointed, but may sign Jens Voigt or Jens Heppner in his place.

Wesemann was one of the Telekom team's best performed riders in the early part of the season, but had the misfortune to crash in stage 14 of the Tour, an epic 249 km from Draguignan to Briancon.

Melbourne to Yarrawonga cancelled

The Melbourne to Yarrawonga race in Victoria, Australia has unfortunately been cancelled this year. This was due to a myriad of factors, including large police charges to stage the event and a loss of sponsorship. There is hope that the event will once again be held next year, and the club has already started working towards it.

There were some rumours that the Melbourne to Ballarat would be cancelled as well this year, however these are unfounded. According to state administrator, Adam Murchie, the race is at "full steam ahead in planning for it" at the moment.

Trek-Nike competition - less than one week to go

Entries are still flooding in for the cyclingnews.com Tour de France competiton to win a Trek US Postal Service team replica (5200 OCLV Frame, ICON Fork, Rolf Wheels, and Shimano Ultegra groupset). Second prize is a set of Rolf Vector Pro wheels, and third is a set of US Postal Team Clothing (shorts and jersey). All you have to do is answer a few questions and submit the form, and you will be eligible to win one of these prizes. The competition closes after the last stage of the Tour, at midnight Paris time on July 23. The winners will be announced a little over one week later (July 31) subject to confirmation. Entry is free, so why not do it?