News for June 19, 2000Italian championships weekThis week marks many European countries' National Championships, most of which commence early in the week, culminating with the Elite road races on June 25. In Italy, they will be held in several locations, with the road race in Trieste on Sunday. The opening time trial on June 20 will be in Pordenone for the Professionals, Open men, Espoirs, Junior and Elite women, and Junior Men categories. A huge field is expected and the men will be searching for a new champion after Marco Velo won last year. On Wednesday, the elite amateurs will have their road race in Buia, while the junior and elite women race the following day in Udine. On Friday, it's the turn of the under 23's in Caneva, then junior men on Saturday in Gorizia. Finally, the professionals (216 entered) will decide on Sunday, June 25 who is to be the successor to Salvatore Commesso. The city circuit in Trieste involves several ascents of the 6% climb of Chiarbola, with a tricky descent to follow. Spanish time trial and tour legend, Miguel Indurain will be present at the opening time trials in Pordenone tomorrow.
Bairos injured at World Cup
Track cyclist, Johnny Bairos of the USA came to grief in the 3rd round of the World Cup in Mexico City on the weekend, after he crashed into another rider. Bairos fell 6 meters (19.8 feet) after the collision, sending him off the track. Medical personnel reported that Bairos lost most of his teeth and suffered a fracture in his neck, but there were no life threatening injuries.
No Tour for SørensenRaboank's Rolf Sørensen will not ride the Tour de France this year according to the newspaper Politiken. Sørensen had expected to be on the team but will now concentrate on the Vuelta instead. "I will have to turn this to something positive and hope that the Vuelta will give me the right Olympic and World's form," said the 35 year old Dane. Sørensen has not managed to get a new contract for 2001 and has expressed interest in riding for a Danish team next year.
Japanese Olympic teamThe Japanese Cycling Federation named their Olympic Cycling Team yesterday, after the Japanese Track Championships. Eight athletes in total are selected for Sydney, five for the track (4 of whom are all professional "Keirin" riders), 2 for the road and 1 for the mountain bike. There was a little surprise in the track selection, as Takanobu Jyumonji (bronze medallist in the kilo at Atlanta) was not picked. Japan will get a spot in the men's points race because South Africa cancelled their entry. This will be officially announced on July 15. Japanese Olympic team Track Men (Sprint, 1km TT, Keirin, Olympic Sprint) Yuichiro Kamiyama (32) Women (Points race only) Akemi Morimoto (32) Road Men Yoshiyuki Abe (30) Women Miho Oki (26) Mountain Bike Men Raita Suzuki (27) Thanks to Miwako Sisaki for the information Pantani's doctor a championMarco Pantani's doctor, Marco Magnani won the provincial championships for "professionals" on the weekend. The 54 kilometre race between Poggio Caiano and Carmignano was contested by various doctors, lawyers, engineers, dentists, businessmen and public dignitaries. |
