News for November 5, 2000
Longo breaks hour record
Longo is a veteran of the sport, having competed in five Olympic Games and many World Championships. She has won a total of 12 World titles and broken the hour record five times, as well as winning the Olympic Road Race in Atlanta in 1996. Brief Bio
Born: October 31, 1958 in Saint-Gervais, France World Championship wins: Road Race (1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1995) Olympic Games Gold Medal, Road Race (1996) Tour de France First overall (1987, 1988, 1989) World Hour Record (old version): 48.159 km, October 26,1996, Mexico City World Hour Record (new version): 44.767 km, November 5, 2000, Mexico City. Festina lawsuit: the final weekThe Festina trial is entering into its third and final week this week, with the public prosecutor in Lille due propose sentences for those accused. It is expected that he will ask for the acquittal of Richard Virenque, and suspended sentences for the eight others. All have been accused of inciting and facilitating others to dope during the 1998 Tour de France. Judge Delegove reminded the court that he was trying to ascertain these people's responsibility in the affair. If they were part of a larger system of institutionalised doping, then "their responsibilities were attenuated." The only cyclist on trial, Richard Virenque may well get out of a prison sentence, although it is not known yet how long the French (or the Swiss) federation will suspend him for after admitting to doping. A confession is the same as a positive test. Virenque's part in inciting others to dope is likely to be overshadowed by Dr. Erik Rijckaert (not present at the trial for health reasons), Bruno Roussel (Festina team leader) and Willy Voet (soigneur). However, Roussel said in 1998 that he only authorised EPO under "strict medical conditions", claiming that other teams did so without precaution.
Koerts commentsThe current yellow jersey in the Commonwealth Bank Cycle Classic, Jans Koerts, has ridden with the Festina team in the past. He first turned pro with PDM in 1992, followed by Festina in 1993-1994, Palmans in 1995-1996, Rabobank , Farm Frites in 2000 and Mercury in 2001. When asked to comment about the trial, Koerts told cyclingnews.com that, "I didn't hear much about it in Australia for the last two weeks. All I heard was the Virenque confessed to using 'the stuff' but that's about it." Koerts believes that the controls and health checks are a lot stricter than most realise, "I have to carry my little booklet [detailing banned substances] around everywhere like a passport. Everyone has one. Also, the UCI can test your blood at any time, at 6 in the morning," said Koerts to cyclingnews.com. "There are so many things and you can't do anything. You need a prescription from the doctor and at the moment they can detect almost anything." What about the evidence that has been brought to light in the Festina trial? "Yes, of course it's good for the sport. Everybody has to watch out and in France especially. I hope it's getting a little bit quiet now because I think it's been blown up."
Heras releasedRoberto Heras has been officially released by Kelme to join US Postal next season. Although he still had a contract with Kelme, Postal paid the buyout fee of $US 450,000 "I'm very thankful to Kelme, but my future is in the United States," said Heras. Heras is the third big name rider to leave the team, after Jose Luis Rubiera (US Postal) and Fernando Escartin (Coast-Wattenscheid). However, the buyout will help Kelme considerably, who are renowned for doing better than other teams on a far smaller budget. For example, Banesto has spent over triple Kelme's yearly budget ($US 3 million) for far fewer results this season, prompting comment by Kelme's Vicente Belda. Banesto have hinted that Kelme were not doing things above board with regard to contracts, and Belda is displeased. "He has attacked a team which has demonstrated itself to be one of the best in Spain and the world this year," said Belda. "They [Banesto] do not admit failure having spent 2 billion pesetas ($US 20 million), whereas we with only 600 million ($US 3 million) have achieved so much success."
Swiss news1999 Swiss champion, Priska Doppmann who finished 14th in the World Championships in Plouay this year has signed for top Italian team, Acca Due O for next season. Junior World Time Trial Champion and number one on the UCI list, Peter Mazur has signed for the Espoir team, Velo Club Mendrisio next season. Courtesy of Veloinfo Provisional Portuguese 2001 Calendar28.01 Troféu RDP-Algarve (1.12) 04.02 Clássica do Seixal (1.12) 11-15.02 Volta ao Algarve (2.4) 24.02 Clássica do Montijo (1.12) 25.02 Clássica de Odivelas (1.12) 03.03 Clássica Aveiro-Porto (1.12) 04.03 Clássica Porto-Aveiro (1.12) 21-24.03 GP Portugal Telecom (2.4) 01.04 Clássica da Primavera (1.12) 07-08.04 Matosinhos-Régua (2.12) 14.04 Clássica de Vila Franca de Xira (1.12) 24-26.04 GP Mitsubishi (2.4) 02-06.05 GP Jornal de Notícias (2.5) 10-13.05 GP Região de Lisboa (2.5) 28.05 Circuito da Benedita (1.12) 30.05-3.06 GP Abimota (2.12) 10.06 Clássica Porto-Lisboa (1.12) 01.07 National Championships (CN) 04-08.07 Volta ao Alentejo (2.4) 11-15.07 Troféu Joaquim Agostinho (2.4) 18-22.07 Volta ao Minho (2.4) 02-15.08 Volta a Portugal (2.3) 18.08 Circuito da Malveira (1.12) 19.08 Circuito de São Bernardo (1.12) 20.08 Circuito de Nafarros (1.12) 27.08 Circuito de Alcobaça (1.12) 01-09.09 Volta a Portugal do Futuro (2.12) 02.09 Circuito do Rio Maior (1.12) 16-23.09 GP Intermarché (2.12) 02-04.10 GP Correios de Portugal (2.5) |
