First Edition Cycling News, Friday, February 3, 2012

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Date published:

February 3, 01:00

• Greipel out of Tour of Qatar

  

  Article published:

  February 2, 12:48

  By:

  Cycling News

  Fever takes out German powerhouse

  André Greipel (Lotto Belisol) has been ruled out of the Tour of Qatar with illness. The German sprinter had been expected to contend the sprints after a superb showing at the Tour Down Under, where he won three stages. His team expect him to recover for the Tour of Oman which starts later this month.

  Greipel took part in the team's presentation on Wednesday, but by the end of the day was complaining of stomach problems and fever.

  Team doctor Jan Mathieu said, "A medical examination this morning confirmed that Andre Greipel has fever and suffers from a viral gastro-enteritis."

  Team boss Marc Sergeant decided to pull the German from Qatar. "Due to the very short timeframe in which we have to decide and organize, we will take André Greipel out of our selection for the Tour of Qatar. ASO has been informed of our decision. Races over there are so hard riders need to be in good health, otherwise this could endanger the season . However, at this moment we maintain André in our selection for Oman. We hope we can still select Jonas Van Genechten, who was our back-up rider, as our 8th rider for Qatar."

   

• Clásica de Almería in financial difficulties

  

  Article published:

  February 2, 14:36

  By:

  Peter Cossins

  Updated: Late February’s race overcomes a significant shortfall in funding

  The organisers of the Clásica de Almería revealed that this month’s edition of the well-established one-day race was in jeopardy due to a lack of funding. Scheduled to take place on Feburary 26, the 27th edition of the event had a 30,000-euro hole in its 110,000-euro budget, largely because local government agencies have not fulfilled their commitments in previous seasons.  However, the officials of Almería have since stepped forward and taken measures to ensure the race will happen.

  José Manuel Muñoz from Alcide, the organization behind the race, had told La Verdad that the race is “closer to not happening than it is to taking place”. While not wanting to point the finger of blame at anyone in particular, Muñoz said that “there are people who could have done things before in the right time and place which they are only now trying to do now”.

  He explained that, although the organisation is getting strong support from the present Almerian regional government, the previous administration had acted “very badly” when it came to coming up with funds promised to the event. A few of the local councils involved had, he said, also failed to honour their commitments, some dating as far back as 2005.

  “It’s a complicated situation,” Muñoz admitted. “In the face of this type of uncertainty, it’s difficult to move forwards. There are certain deadlines that have to be met and processes that have to be fulfilled. It’s no good getting the money that’s required three weeks after you need it. Once the calendar is set out, rules have to be published, contracts signed and presented to the UCI. But we’re not able to do this because we can’t finalise them.”

  Muñoz had explained that this situation brought an additional concern: that teams might take action against the race organisers for failure to honour their commitments. “If any team decides to make a complaint to the UCI in the event of the race not taking place, I will be obliged to make a payment to them. That penalty cannot be avoided,” he said.

  In the past day, the president of the province Gabriel Amat, the City's mayor Luis Rogelio and Sports Councillor Ángeles Martínez have made it possible for the 2012 event to happen.

  Elevated to 1.HC status by the UCI during the World Championships last September, the race has tended to favour sprinters. Greg Henderson and Theo Bos have claimed the title in recent years, while Italy’s Matteo Pelucchi won the event in 2011. Garmin, Rabobank and Lotto have already confirmed their participation in this year’s race, which takes place three days after the final stage of the Ruta del Sol.

• Drama to the last for Paris-Nice

  

  Article published:

  February 2, 16:53

  By:

  Cycling News

  Time trial to provide final stage fireworks

  The Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) announced today the route of this year's Paris-Nice, rolling out a fresh parcours complete with two individual time trials bookending the eight-stage event.

  Heading out from Dampierre-en-Yvelines to Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse on opening day, Sunday March 4, riders will face a 9.4km individual time trial, but it will be the 9.6km uphill test from Nice to the top of the Col d'Èze, which will bring in the stars for the event.

  The ASO confirmed that 10 of the top 15 in last year's Tour de France have committed to racing Paris-Nice, including the Schleck brothers, Andy and Frank.

  Without extended time trial kilometers, last year's champion Tony Martin may have to cede race leader's duties to his new Omega Pharma-Quickstep teammate Levi Leipheimer or Sylvain Chavanel. The team will be up against stiff competition from rival teams, including RadioShack-Nissan with the Schlecks, Astana's Janez Brajkovic, BMC with Tejay Van Garderen, as well as perennial French favourites Thomas Voeckler and Pierre Rolland (Europcar), Sky's Christopher Froome, Rabobank's former winner Luis-Leon Sanchez or Liquigas' Ivan Basso.

  While the main separation will come in the final stage, the middle six stages will provide their own opportunities for the aggressors. After two relatively flat stages, first from Mantes-la-Jolie to Orléans and then one to Le Lac de Vassivière, the roads begin to undulate. Stage four to Rodez is a decidedly lumpy route with a kick up to the finish at the end of 183km, giving a good chance for a late breakaway artist to steal some time.

  However, it is the following stage's finale atop the Monteé Laurent Jalabert in Mende (La Croix Neuve) - a 10.1% average grade for 3km - which will provide the first true separations on the general classification.

  After a sprint-friendly stage to Sisteron, the penultimate day features the category 1 Col de Vence with 65km to go, and while it may not break up the general classification it will serve as a warm-up for the grand finale, the return of the traditional time trial up the Col d'Èze, last used in 1995.

  Some of the sport's greatest champions have triumphed on this climb: Eddy Merckx, Raymond Poulidor, Joop Zoetemelk, Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche. Which new star will etch his name into history 500m above Nice? We shall find out when this race concludes on Sunday, March 11.

  2012 Paris-Nice
  March 4: Stage 1 – Dampierre-en-Yvelines - Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse TT, 9.4km
  March 5: Stage 2 – Mantes-la-Jolie  - Orléans, 185km
  March 6: Stage 3 – Vierzon - Lac de Vassivière, 194km
  March 7: Stage 4 – Brive-la-Gaillarde - Rodez, 183km
  March 8: Stage 5 – Onet-le-Chateau - Mende, 178km
  March 9: Stage 6 – Suze-la-Rousse - Sisteron, 176.5km
  March 10: Stage 7 – Sisteron - Nice, 220 km
  March 11: Stage 8 – Nice - Col d'Èze TT, 9.6 km

  Tags:

  Paris-Nice

• Contador says things have not been easy since 2004

  

  Article published:

  February 2, 19:26

  By:

  Cycling News

  Saxo Bank leader reflects on San Luis success and career as a whole

  As he awaits the Court of Arbitration for Sport's verdict on whether he should be banned following his positive test for clenbuterol at the 2010 Tour de France, Alberto Contador has admitted that his career has not followed a smooth path since he was affected by a life-threatening brain injury in 2004. He also revealed that he has been doing all he can to distract himself from thinking about his case, and that it was partly his desire for distraction that encouraged him to ride the Tour de San Luis in Argentina last week.

  Speaking in a wide-ranging interview with Basque newspaper El Correo, the Saxo Bank team leader said of his current desire for distraction, "I try to do whatever I can to distract myself, to have the whole day planned out, although sometimes it's difficult. I enjoy the bike and racing and this does help, but sometimes things come into your head and you ask yourself why you are in this situation. My sporting life hasn't followed an easy part since I had my accident in 2004. But that made me see things from a different point of view. It helps me to distract myself."

  He confessed that he has also been filling up his days with more appointments than he would usually like, but has enjoyed getting back into training over the last few weeks having barely touched the bike since the end of the Tour de France last July. In fact, he admitted that he had done so little riding during that period that his brother/manager, Francisco, had wondered if Contador had laid off the bike for too long. During that down time, Contador gained seven kilos, but most of this has already been shed.

  "In a month and a half, I lost four kilos and I've still got another three to shed. [Levi] Leipheimer said to me during [the Tour de San Luis] that he thought I only had another one to get rid of, but I told him it was three, although he didn't believe me," said Contador. "Genetically, I am very privileged. No matter how much I eat, I don't put on weight beyond a certain level. And as soon as I start to cut down on the food and train, I lose it without any problem. In Gran Canaria, I was training for five hours and just eating fruit and the weight was falling off me. If you are sensible about things, you don't have any problems."

  Reflecting on his two summit finish wins and second place overall to Leipheimer at San Luis, Contador said, "I went there with the idea of taking things easy, but I always ended up getting involved in the action. I was very happy with how things went, it was much better than I imagined - I won the two summit finishes in a race of quite a high level, which left a good taste in my mouth. Over seven days I picked up the kind of rhythm you can't achieve when you're training. I've still got lots of base training to do, though."

  Contador admitted that the only thing about his form that didn't surprise him was his relatively poor showing in the time trial. "I was expecting it to go like that. I'm not in good enough condition yet to be able to push to the limit for 20km. Over four or five kilometres, I wouldn't have had any problems, but over that distance, without any specific work, the lack of training stands out. I am going to change a few things on the Specialized during the training camp in Valencia."

  He acknowledged that he had been impressed with Leipheimer's performance in Argentina, and said, "There are few riders as professional as him. He's really focused on the bike and you could see that he hasn't been away from it for too long over the winter. He's at an extraordinary level. You only had to see his legs to know what kind of form he was in."

  However, Contador played the American's chances at the Tour de France. "He's been on the podium and time trials are important, but it's the mountains that make the difference. If the race was decided in the time trial, Tony Martin would win it."

• Gallery: Lampre-ISD's team presentation

  

  Article published:

  February 2, 21:25

  By:

  Cycling News

  Scarponi, Cunego and Petacchi lead the Italian squadra

  Lampre-ISD's 28-man squad was unveiled at a presentation in San Vincenzo, Italy on Thursday. The Italian WorldTour team brought out their stalwarts, Michele Scarponi, Daniano Cunego and Alessandro Petacchi but also used the opportunity to push their Ukranian bloc, which now consists of five riders, Vitaliy Buts, Denys Kostyuk, Dmytro Krivtsov, Yuriy Krivtsov, Oleksandr Kvachuk and new signing Oleksandr Sheydyk.
  
  The Lampre-ISD partnership began last year with and has another two years left to run on its current deal, with the ISD Continental team acting a feeder team for the WorldTour arm.

  However, when the team's European race programme begins this weekend, all eyes will be on the likes of Petacchi, Scarponi and Cunego, a three-pronged Italian attack on Grand Tours, one-day Classics and almost everything in between.

  Last year the team won 26 races, an adequate return by any standards but with Scarponi awaiting the CAS ruling over Alberto Contador, their biggest victory could be decided in a court room. Scarponi finished a distant second to Contador in last year's Giro but may still be crowned champion if the Spaniard is handed a retrospective ban.

• Video: The 2012 SRAM Red groupset in action

  Article published:

  February 2, 21:59

  By:

  James Huang

  We bring you insider access to the new and eagerly anticipated group

  A few years of experience – six years since the original Force, more than four since the first Red – have done the new 2013 SRAM Red group, unveiled yesterday, a lot of good. Not only does it shift and brake better than the previous version, it's also 150g lighter, more refined in its feel and operation, and more mature in its presentation. We've only managed a few hours on the new kit thus far but it's already leaving a positive impression.

  We bring you insider access to the new and eagerly anticipated SRAM Red 2012 groupset with this unique video:

   

  Tags:

  tech

• RusVelo, Europcar nab final Amstel Gold wildcards

  

  Article published:

  February 2, 22:45

  By:

  Cycling News

  24 teams on Dutch classic's roster

  The organisers of the Amstel Gold Race announced today the final two teams to compete in this year's race, with the RusVelo and Europcar squads getting the nod.

  Along with the 18 WorldTour teams and the two latest signings, previously announced wildcard invitees Project 1t4i, Lotto-Belisol, Landbouwkrediet-Euphony and Accent.Jobs-Willems Verandas complete the 24-team roster for the only Dutch Classic that takes place on Sunday, April 15.

  Left out of the chance to battle defending champion Philippe Gilbert for glory on the Cauberg is the Cofidis squad, which was given a wildcard last year. None of the Italian or American professional continental teams were awarded entry to the race.

  Despite being entirely comprised of Russian riders, RusVelo's Dutch connections helped it earn a place in the event. The team has as one of its directeurs sportif former Netherlands national team coach Egon Van Kessel.

  Europcar, in addition to having race animators like Pierre Rolland and Thomas Voeckler, is led by Jean-Rene Beraudeau who took a podium spot at the world championships in Valkenburg in 1979.

  Teams for Amstel Gold Race 2012:

  AG2R La Mondiale
  Pro Team Astana
  BMC Racing Team
  Euskaltel - Euskadi
  FDJ-Big Mat
  Garmin - Barracuda
  Green Edge Cycling Team
  Katusha Team
  Lampre - ISD
  Liquigas - Cannondale
  Belisol Team Lotto
  Team Movistar
  Omega Pharma-Quick Step
  Rabobank Cycling Team
  Radioshack - Nissan
  Sky Pro Cycling
  Team Saxo Bank
  Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
  1T4I Project
  Lotto / Mercator
  Agricole-Euphony
  William Accent team
  RusVelo
  Europcar

   

• BikeNZ offer PureBlack Racing eleventh-hour lifeline

  

  Article published:

  February 3, 00:00

  By:

  Cycling News

  Combined team hoping to still pursue overseas racing

  New Zealand's national cycling federation BikeNZ has come to the rescue of the financially hamstrung PureBlack Racing team, with the two organisations forming a partnership that will see the team able to continue in 2012.

  PureBlack Racing had ambitious plans for its future in the sport, telling Cyclingnews early last year that the team hoped to launch a ProConti or WorldTour team by 2015. Those ambitions were dismantled however in December of last year when finances dried up, and a difficult domestic economic environment proved debilitating to the team's future.

  "The impact of the Rugby World Cup and the Christchurch disaster have made it a really tough year to raise funding for emerging sports like cycling and international programmes like PureBlack Racing," said Greg Cross when he reported on a grim future for the team late last year.

  But after nearly two months of negotiations, BikeNZ have come to the rescue, with both organisations hoping this fresh partnership will breathe new life into the team. The team will race as a national squad, giving it eligibility at key races such as the Tour de Langkawi to which they've been invited. The full calendar is yet to be decided.

  BikeNZ's Kieran Turner felt that it would be too big a loss to allow Pure Black to fold, and added there were significant synergies to be taken advantage of by the exisiting national team set up.

  "PureBlack Racing has done a great job of promoting cycling, both in New Zealand and internationally and has proven they have the talent, management and technical expertise required to support an international cycling team. We have too few teams like PureBlack and Subway Pro Cycling and cannot afford to lose these expertise."

  Turner explained that the use of facilities and a shared calendar made it a natural extension to create a partnership that could benefit both parties.

  "We're absolutely delighted to have found a way for the team to race internationally this year," PureBlack spokseman Greg Cross added. "Many of the PureBlack Racing riders from 2011 have already committed to riding again this year. This new partnership provides valuable momentum as we continue to work towards our ambitious goal of achieving ProContinental status."

  Elite Road Champion James Williamson is set to be a part of the squad as is Roman Van Uden. Current BikeNZ riders will be able to ride with the combined squad on a race by race basis.