News for January 3, 2001Jean Delatour, Cofidis and VirenqueIn the coming three weeks, banned French cyclist Richard Virenque will appeal to the UCI, probably via the Court of Sport Arbitration (TAS) to get his sentence reduced so he can compete again this year. He is due to serve nine months starting February 1, 2001, completely erasing any chance of racing this year. Six of his former teammates in Festina (Brochard, Dufaux, A. Meier, Moreau, Rous, and Zülle) were given seven month sentences after they confessed at the time, but they were allowed to serve them over the winter months before the new UCI regulations came into force. Virenque is claiming that the nine months given to him by the Swiss Federation under the new UCI rules is too heavy, and claimed on French TV last Friday that there was a "conspiracy" to end his career. However in handing down their sentence, the Swiss Federation placed a strong emphasis on Virenque's two year denial, giving him the opportunity to earn a significant amount of money in that time. He also tried to persuade the court that his income was less that 100,000 FF ($US 14,000) per month, in order to get his fine reduced, while he was earning at least five times this amount. If his appeal is successful, then there may be two French teams interested in him. François Migraine's Cofidis team said that Virenque would be a "media coup" for the team who have no real star in their ranks. Also, prior to Virenque's suspension, the division II Jean Delatour team were looking for a co-sponsor to carry out "operation Virenque." It would be ironic for him to ride in the same team as anti-doping proponent Christophe Bassons, however a precedent has already been set between Bassons and Laurent Brochard. The two rarely participate in the same races.
Société will not appealThe Société du Tour de France will not be lodging an appeal against the decision of the court in Lille not to award them a symbolic one franc in damages. This is contrary to the UCI and FFC, who claim that they were damaged by the case and are appealing to the Appeals Court in Douai. The Amaury Group, owners of the Société, said that they had "complete confidence" in Jean-Marie Leblanc, who was considered by the court as "particularly well placed to fear the reality of doping."
La Gazzetta's best of 2000: Erik ZabelNumber one Italian sports daily, La Gazzetta dello Sport, has named its top three performances of 2000. Heading the field again is German Erik Zabel for his performance in Milan-San Remo, a race that he won for the third time in 2000. Now dubbed "Mr Sanremo", Zabel overcame immense pressure to win the opening classic of the season, in his typical style. He had prepared for the race since November 1999, and had won stages in Tirreno-Adriatico, Ruta del Sol and Vuelta Valencia before taking La Primavera, a race he also won in 1997 and 1998. It was one of the biggest highlights in a season full of them. In second place was Belgian Johan Museeuw, who was also second in cyclingnews.com's reader poll. His ride in Paris-Roubaix was one of his best ever, considering the circumstances of his recovery. After his fall in the Arenberg forest in 1998, he made a mid season comeback in 1999. To go on and win the "Queen of the Classics" in early 2000 was a testament to his team and force of will. His one knee in the air victory salute in Roubaix was unforgettable. Third place in La Gazzetta's picks went to Paolo Bettini, for his win in Liege-Bastogne-Liege, where he beat the likes of Wladimir Belli, David Etxebarria and Davide Rebellin. Bettini was also working for Axel Merckx during the race, but his chance came on La Redoute when he tagged onto the aforementioned trio. Rebellin drove the break, hoping to rely on his strength to win the race but Bettini sat back with 5 kilometres to go to save himself. It proved to be the right move as he sprinted to the biggest victory of his career.
What's Moncassin up to?Former French pro cyclist, Frederic Moncassin (double stage winner in the Tour de France) has found a new lease of life since retiring. The 32 year-old rider is currently competing in the famous Paris-Dakar rally, where he is riding a KTM 400 motorcycle and is lying in 14th overall after two stages. The famous desert rally left Paris on January 1 and will finish 21 days and over 10,000km later in Dakar, Senegal, on the west coast of Africa. In many ways, the Paris-Dakar is the TdF of motorcycle rallies and when it hits the African continent, the riders have to contend with racing for 600km per day in hot, dry and remote locations over non-existant roads sans-navigator, which has been the downfall of many competitors: they simply lose their way in the desert. "When I was a professional cyclist I watched the Dakar from a distance like everybody else," said Moncassin in a race interview. "But as a reasonable enduro rider I always wanted to have a go. Now I can't wait to start. When I was cycling they didn't like me racing enduro, even if my contract didn't actually forbid it. Now that I'm retired I don't have to ask anyone permission." "At the beginning of November Francois Flick (motorcycle competitor No 22) rang me and offered me a ride after we'd met a couple of times on enduros. How could I refuse? In terms of riding technique I think I should be OK, but the navigation will be another question." Although he won't be spinning his legs, Freddy's endurance from his cycling career will be tested in the extreme as the conditions are totally uncompromising - a slight slip in concentration in the rocky or sandy conditions can lead to an "endo" (as they say in enduro circles, ie, an end-over-end tumble) at over 140kmh, which usually results in some form of serious injury. The Paris Dakar rally originally started as a bikes-only affair but the lure of sponsorship dollars from car and truck manufacturers meant the organisers opened the race to the four-wheelers. You can follow Freddy's progress at the Paris-Dakar site. (Thanks to Brent Bonwell for the background information.)
Eladio Jiménez hurtBanesto's Eladio Jiménez has been injured in a training accident near Ciudad Rodrigo on the weekend. Eladio was struck by a vehicle at noon on Saturday, December 30 and was subsequently taken to the Virgen de la Vega hospital in Salamanca. He told his team director Jose Miguel Echavarri that he is OK, but has pains in his spine. He won't be off the bike for more than a few days, and should be able to prepare for the season as normal.
Domo trainPatrick Lefevere's Domo-Farm Frites team will hold their first training camp of the year from January 6-13 in Javea, on the Spanish east coast. Domo will have its team presentation on January 19, where they will also release the new team web site.
Lapage to CollstropBelgian track rider, Lorenzo Lapage has signed a one year contract with the Collstrop-Palmans team this week. "I don't know if we will sign any more riders, but I think that we have a well rounded team," said team leader Hilaire Vanderschueren.
Neidersachsen Rundfahrt 2001The 25th edition of the 2.4 class Neidersachsen Rundfahrt (April 25-29) has a new look and a new sponsor for 2001. The opening time trial will be held in Heidepark Soltau, with the first stage from Soltau to Wolfsburg later that day. The other stage finishes are in Osterode, Peine, Bueckeburg and Hamlin, and a Hamlin building society (BHW) will sponsor the race. It is the first time that a UCI classified race has visited the "pied piper" city.
Olympia's Tour 2001While the Neidersachsen Rundfahrt may have a sponsor for this year, the 50th edition of the Olympia's Tour in the Netherlands does not, after Visa Card Services stopped. If the organisers can't find a new one they need to use their last reserves to meet the budget. Stage list
Prologue - May 19: Almere, 4.8 km |