News for September 22, 2000

Memorial Service and Foundation for Nicole Reinhart

A public Memorial Service for Nicole Reinhart, who passed away after a crash whilst racing last Sunday, will be held 2:00 pm, Sunday, September 24, 2000 at the Lehigh Valley Velodrome in Trexlertown, PA. The Reinhart Family wishes the service to be a celebration of Nicole's life.

At the request the Reinhart family, a Memorial Fund has been set up in Nicole's honor to benefit young cyclists. BMC Software will apply the $250,000 bonus money from the race series Nicole was poised to win to that foundation. People who wish to send donations or condolences may send them to the address listed below. It is the request of the Reinhart family that donations be made in lieu of flowers. In addition, cards, pictures, etc. may be sent to the funeral home.

Nicole L. Reinhart Memorial Fund:
C/o The Ludwick Funeral Home
P.O. Box 25
25 East Weis St.
Topton, PA 19562

Those wishing to contribute to Nicole's tribute page may email us. In addition, wishes and messages for Nicole's family can be sent to nicolememorial@usacycling.org. These messages will be forwarded to Nicole's family.

For those attending the Interbike trade show in Las Vegas, the Saturn team management requests that you take a personal moment of silence at 11 am PST to reflect upon what Nicole has brought you and to the cycling community. This is the same time at which the memorial service will commence at the Lehigh Valley Velodrome. There will not be announcement at the Interbike show about the moment of silence.

For those unable to attend the services, informal bike rides on the east and west coasts have been scheduled to celebrate Nicole's life. Remember to be safe and respectful of others around you. There may be quite a number of people wishing to join the ride but please do not impede the flow of traffic.

East Coast:

When: This Saturday, Sept 23rd at 8:30am e.s.t. (with arrival at the Eastern Ave park/recreation center between 9-9:15am)

Where: Meet at the Cafe Escadrille parking lot on Cambridge St in Burlington, MA [Take Rte 128 to exit 33A (Rte 3 South). Parking lot will be the third one on your left, to the right of the Cycle Loft]. Please be mindful to remove cars from the restaurant lot by 11:30am.

Route: Cue sheets available at the parking lot Contacts: boconnor@ptc.com or jessica_truslow@hotmail.com

West Coast:

When: This Sunday, Sept 24th at 10:30am p.s.t., ride departs at 11:am (the same time the 2pm east coast service begins at the Lehigh Valley Velodrome)

The ride will stop at Inspiration point, in Tilden Park, a the top of Widlcat Canyon Road at around noon. People who cannot join the ride can meet at the Park for a moment of silence to share experiences and memories of Nicole.

Where: Meet at the Rock Ridge BART station in Oakland, CA
Route: A route will be indicated upon arrival.
Contact: Dave King, 510-655-0660

Museeuw speaks

Belgian cyclist, Johan Museeuw gave a press conference today, for the first time since his accident in August. To a media gathering in Ichtegem, Belgium, he expressed his desire to compete at the top level again.

"I hope to cross the line of a big race with my arms in the air again next season, preferably a classic," he said. "There is only one way for me, and that's the way to the top. I want to prove for myself that I can be a top rider again. A rider who sets an example and to whom others can improve themselves."

Museeuw doesn't remember anything about the accident. "I know I stepped onto my motorbike. Then I only remember that I was transferred from intensive care to a normal room."

It was the second severe misfortune in three years for Museeuw. "I've never thought for a single moment: why me again? Life is just full of risks and you have to accept that. Most important is that I can race again," adding that he has sworn off the motorbike for now.

"Domo-Farm Frites needs me. I am still of great value, inside and outside cycling. The first time I could ride on the rollers again, I had tears in my eyes. Not just from the pain. I've gone trough a very emotional phase, which actually isn't completely over yet. But I'm already happy I'm freed from that terrible headache [although apparently he still had to wear some dark sunglasses]. The injuries will heal."

"Last week, I still couldn't even walk; now I can ride on the rollers for a while. I even had a 3 hour power training session."

He concluded with an electrical analogy, "A man hangs by an electrical wire. If they cut it, it's over. With me, they've already messed with the isolation twice, but the wire is still there."

Lieven Maesschalk said Museeuw will work on his strength for the next four weeks. "We have to bring the muscles back to strength. In two weeks time, the pin in his left shoulder will probably be removed. In November he should be able to hit the road again."

World's teams

Belgium

The following are the preliminary selections for the Belgian team to contest the World championships in Plouay, France. José De Cauwer will make his final selection after the Olympic road race.

Elite men

Serge Baguet
Thierry Marichal
Kurt Van de Wouwer
Rik Verbrugghe
Andrei Tchmil (Lotto)
Peter Farazijn
Nico Mattan
Chris Peers
Jo Planckaert (all Cofidis)
Geert Van Bondt
Peter Van Petegem (both Farm Frites)
Axel Merckx
Wilfried Peeters (both Mapei)
Dave Bruylandts (Palmans)
Jurgen Van Roosbroeck (Vlaanderen 2002)
Michel Van Haecke (Tönissteiner)
Marc Wauters (Rabobank)

Time trial:

Ric Verbrugghe (Lotto)
Marc Streel (Collstrop)

Elite women

Lensy Debboudt
Veerle Ingels
Anja Nobus
Cindy Pieters (Vlaanderen 2002)
Evy Van Damme (Vlaanderen 2002)
Heidi Van de Vijver (Vlaanderen 2002)
Vanya Vonckx (Vlaanderen 2002)

U23 men

Tom Boonen (Kortrijk Groeninge Spurters)
Andy Capelle (Cycling Team De Lombarden Lombardsijde)
Davy Commeyne (Wielergroep Beveren 2000)
Stijn Devolder (ASLK-Fortisboys)
Nico Sijmens (ASLK-Fortisboys)
Jurgen Van Goolen (Mapei-Quick Step-Latexco)
Jan Verstraeten (Mapei-Quick Step-Latexco)
Frederik(?) Willems (ASLK-Fortisboys)

Great Britain

Elite Men

Road Race

David Millar (Cofidis)
Max Sciandri (Linda McCartney)
Roger Hammond (Collstrop)
Charly Wegelius (Mapei-Quick Step)

Time Trial

David Millar (Cofidis)
Chris Boardman (Credit Agricole)

Elite Women

Road Race

Ceris Gilfillan (Malvern)
Sara Symington (Leicestershire)
Caroline Alexander (Cumbria)
Yvonne McGregor (Stoke on Trent)
Sue Carter (Harlow)
Mel Sears (Bromham, Beds)

Time Trial

Ceris Gilfillan (Malvern)
Sara Symington (Leicestershire)

U23 Men

Road Race

Neil Swithenbank (Heywood, Lancs)
Kristian House (Wijtchate, Belgium)
Tom Southam (Penzance)
Russell Downing (Rotherham)
Jamie Alberts (Chesterfield)

Time Trial

Steve Cummings (Wirral)
Kristian House (Wijtchate, Belgium)

Junior Men

Road Race

Keiran Page (Isle of Wight)
Andrew Allen (Wirral)
Mark Baker (Heswall, Merseyside)
David Heaven (Pontypool)

Time Trial

Keiran Page (Isle of Wight)
Russell Anderson (Dumfries)

Junior Women

Road Race

Nicole Cooke (Wick, S. Glamorgan)
Claire Dixon (Oldham)
Lorna Webb (Walsall)
Laura Bissell (Stevenage)

Time Trial

Nicole Cooke (Wick, S. Glamorgan)
Claire Dixon (Oldham)

Norwegian espoirs

The Norwegian squad for the U23 World Championships in Plouay has been selected. Gisle Vikør and Kjetil Løitegård, both Ringerike, and Kenneth Flesjå, Sandnes will ride the road race October 13 in Plouay, France.

Norway is one of the most successful nations in the U23 World's in recent years with Kurt Asle Arvesen's road title in 1997 and Thor Hushovd's ITT win the following year.

Igor González de Galdeano operated on

Vitalicio's Igor González de Galdeano has had a successful operation on his left knee after he injured it during the Vuelta, forcing him to abandon during the stage to Angliru. He will be able to train within 40 days, meaning that the season is over for him. Next year, he will take his place in the ONCE-Deutsche Bank team of Manolo Saiz.

Both Alvaro and Igor González de Galdeano will aim to ride in the second edition of the Memorial Jacinto González de Heredia that will signify the end of the Spanish cycling season. Inigo González de Heredia is a retired professional, but a cousin of the González de Galdeanos.

Gorka González to Euskaltel-Euskadi

Spanish neo-professional, Gorka González (Olarra-Ercoreka) has signed a two year contract with the Euskaltel-Euskadi team. Meanwhile, Iñigo Landaluce (Cafes Baqué) is still negotiating with the Basque outfit. There is not a great deal of space left in the top Spanish division II team, and both riders were quite nervous about securing a contract.