News for April 26, 1997


Rolf's Diary Update

Liege (Belgium), 25 April 1997

I trained a whole three kilometres today. I was still totally blown from yesterday. Now it's going a little better again. And actually I'm again confident about tomorrow. Perhaps I'll succeed again something like four years ago.

Tomorrow at the Amstel Gold Race I should ride in the first twenty positions the whole day. The whole day left, ahead, right, behind, on totally narrow little streets, only the last 40km are somewhat quieter. Most likely there will be 60 riders in the final sprint, and I'll let loose my sprint there...!

[translator's notes: I asked Rolf about cycling in the states, as he mentioned in a past entry that he felt Americans were the best drivers he's seen, even better than the Swiss drivers! He mentioned that he and Pascal Richard had no problems with cars when they trained for the Olympic games in Atlanta.]

Translated by David Wear

Sorensen

Rolf Sorensen will remain with Rabobank for another three years. His contract was due to expire at the end of this year; but team leader Jan Raas said "we had already a kind of agreement on headlines before he won the Tour of Vlaanderen". In practice it means Sorensen will end his career with Rabobank.

Sorensen is currently leading the World Cup standing with Michele Bartoli.

Theo de Rooy, team leader with Raas at Rabobank, said of Sorensen "The role that the Dane plays in the team is enormous. He is an example for the young riders. He is not only a stimulator but also a teacher. For riders who are in the development period, like Leon van Bon and Michael Boogerd, it is important that he remain. Sorensen will help the next generation of Dutch riders in the coming year to develop and compete in the important races."

Also Sorensen himself is happy to remain. "I am happy to be the team leader."