Second Edition Cycling News, Wednesday, November 11, 2009

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Date published:

November 11, 19:00

• Lance Armstrong ignites USA Cycling growth

  

  Article published:

  November 11, 12:30

  By:

  Kirsten Robbins

  Lance Armstrong factor leads to record high memberships

  Lance Armstrong’s return to professional bike racing has had a direct impact on the number of cyclists registering with USA Cycling in 2009. The number of license holders is expected to reach an all time high of 66,600 members by the end of this year, according to Andrea Smith, USA Cycling's director of communications.

  USA Cycling statistics show a steady increase in the number of licenses issued between 2002 and 2008 that can be directly related to Armstrong's popularity during and after his seven Tour de France victories. “There is no way to say exactly why we have had such an increase, but common sense lets us figure that one of those factors is certainly Lance Armstrong,” Smith told Cyclingnews.

  By the end of the year, USA Cycling expects to see a 5.62 per cent increase in memberships over the 63,273 registered members last year. Of the 66,600 expected total, 45,000 memberships come from the disciplines of road, cyclo-cross and track, while the remaining figure includes mountain bikers, coaches and officials.

  Armstrong retired from professional bike racing in 2005 after seven successive Tour de France victories (1999-2005) with the former US Postal Service and Discovery Channel teams. He returned to the pro peloton with Astana in January, beginning his comeback with Australia’s Tour Down Under and the North America’s Tour of California in February. He went on place 12th in the Giro d’ Italia in May and third in the Tour de France in July.

  The membership increase following Armstrong’s comeback in January is similar to a membership spike during the peak of Armstrong’s popularity. USA Cycling reports that the most significant increases occurred between 2004-2005 and again in 2006, the year following his retirement.

  "Certainly the ‘Lance effect’ has been a factor," Smith said. "One thing that we noticed is that during his last couple years of racing we were growing at a rate of about five per cent per year. That is five per cent more members than the year before."

  Further analysis shows that the number memberships continued to increase during Armstrong’s retirement, however, the rate of change dropped from five per cent to three per cent in 2007 and 2008.

  "When he retired we did continue to grow, but at a slightly lower rate of three to 3.3 per cent in 2007," Smith said. "Now that Lance is back we are up to over five per cent again. We are always appreciative of that."

  "It’s like a momentum that Lance has created around his success and comeback from adversity and we are so happy to be apart of it, it’s been great for us."

  However the statistics show a significant decrease in USA Cycling memberships between the years 1999-2002. According to Smith, this is explained by the loss of several local districts during those years. "There is some direct correlation between the fact that somewhere in early 2000, we lost some organizations and then slowly they have been rejoining under the USA Cycling banner. But the organization is stronger in the growth in popularity of road cycling."

  Other factors that contribute the steady growth of USA Cycling license holders include proactive outreach and education such as increased mainstream media relations and advertising. "We are constrained by budget in these areas so a lot of the advertising we are able to gain is pro bono, remnant space donated to us," Smith said. "We are making an effort to do small things and make small strides and we like to think those have made some of the difference."

  Furthermore, the US has continued to produce International Cycling Union (UCI) ProTour ranked teams like Garmin-Slipstream, Columbia-HTC and Armstrong’s newly formed RadioShack outfit. The performances of US riders including three-time Tour of California winner Levi Leipheimer, Tour de France overall contender Christian Vande Velde, David Zabriskie and 2009 time trial World Champion Kristin Armstrong have served to further bolster the nation's standing in the cycling world.

  Keep the momentum rolling

  For many, Armstrong, 38, has become a synonym for inspiration, both in terms of winning his battle against cancer and his subsequent sporting return to win seven consecutive Tours de France. Not only has Armstrong made a comeback to cycling, he continues to support the fight against cancer as the founder of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. At the conclusion of this year's Tour of California, Armstrong noted the importance that athlete-stories have in keeping momentum and popularity of cycling growing.

  "Sports need people," said Armstrong. "It's important to have those stories so people pay attention. As teams and people involve in the sport, you gotta keep that going. If you don't have the athletes who have the story and carry the personality, the sport will go away. It’s our job to develop young guys, riders who can keep people interested in cycling and interested in their stories for whatever reason. People look at my story and you can say they’re interested because he’s a strong cyclist or because he’s a cancer survivor."

  "Anytime you create a movement, it has to begin with a person," he continued. "Sports are no different. If you look at cycling and the characters and the personalities we've had in American cycling over the years, the sport has embedded and flowed with that. Similar to Tiger Woods and golf, Michael Jordan and basketball or Michael Schumacher and formula one racing. When you think of these sports, you think of these people."

  Smith acknowledged the need to cultivate young cycling talent in order to capitalize from the momentum that Armstrong’s story has created in American cycling. The US has seen a rise in specific Under 23 programs like Armstrong’s Trek-Livestrong, Land Rover-Orbea-Benefiting the Lance Armstrong Foundation and Garmin-Slipstream. Many of the continental teams registered in the US also support development programs by signing Under 23 cyclists to their rosters.

  "It’s hard to ever repeat Lance’s story but, it’s our job to continue inundating the cycling world with great American talent, developing young racers and putting them in a position to succeed and become that next generation."

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• Vinokourov says Kashechkin a risk for Astana

  

  Article published:

  November 11, 14:14

  By:

  Richard Tyler

  McQuaid clarifies position on Astana's former riders, Vinokourov will back Contador's Tour ambitions

  Alexandre Vinokourov says he expects former Astana teammate Andrey Kashechkin will be forced to find another team for the 2010 season. In an interview with Kazakh website Prosportkz.kz Vinokourov also stated that if Alberto Contador remains with the team in 2010, he will be fully committed to the Spainard's attempt at a third Tour de France victory.

  Vinokourov and Kashechkin were both dismissed from Astana in 2007 for blood doping. Both riders served two-year suspensions for their respective offences, though, only Vinokourov has been able to make a return to the sport's professional ranks after he re-joined Astana in time to start at this year's Vuelta a España in August.

  Vinokourov was quoted by Prosportkz.kz as saying that International Cycling Union (UCI) President Pat McQuaid had expressed opposition to Kashechkin re-joining the team because of the team's chequered doping history.

  "McQuaid was opposed to Kashechkin being part of Astana. The team said he had told them 'you already have a racer who will have recently returned from suspension', referring to me," said Vinokourov.

  "If Astana sign a contract with Kashechkin, I think the team will have problems in the coming season. For that reason, I think Kashechkin will have to look for another team."

  McQuaid today acknowledged that he had warned Astana's management that the recruitment of riders with a doping history could affect the renewal of their ProTour licence, but denied that he had referred to any specific riders during his meetings with Astana officials.

  "That was one of the subjects that I discussed with them earlier in the year," McQuaid told Cyclingnews. "It wasn't specific names, it was simply that they need to bear in mind that they had former riders coming back and that Astana has a [doping] history.

  "If they wanted to remain in the ProTour it would have to be the complete opposite of the situation before. It was specifically that they want to be very careful about the history of the riders who are in the team."

  McQuaid is not a member of the ProTour licence commission responsible for the issue and renewal of ProTour licences. Led by a Swiss Federal Judge the three-member commission acts independent of the UCI to determine teams' eligibility and suitablity for ProTour status.

  The ProTour licence commission are due to make a final determination on Astana's ProTour status on November 20. The decision is expected to decide whether or not the team's top ranked rider, Alberto Contador, will see out the final year of his contract with the team.

  Despite the months of conjecture that have focused upon Contador's apparent anxiety to leave the team as soon as possible, Vinokourov feels he will be content to stay if he can be convinced of the team's stability.

  "I think he's waiting to see how the Astana management behave," he said. "If all issues are settled before the deadline, its likely Contador will remain at our team. He just wants to be assured of the team's future."

  Vinokourov said that if the Spaniard remains, he will have the full support of the team. "If Contador remains part of Astana, we will help him win the Tour de France."

  Vinokourov said a good performance at Giro d'Italia would be high on his personal agenda for 2010, but that a start at the Tour de France would be the ultimate satisfaction since his return to the sport in August.

  "I would like to finish high in the general classification at the Giro d'Italia. But if there is a chance to start in the Tour de France, I will try to win a stage or two. For me, I would be overjoyed to simply be able to start again at the Tour; I've missed its unique atmosphere."

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• Sedun to join Astana as director in 2010

  

  Article published:

  November 11, 14:43

  By:

  Susan Westemeyer

  Russian is experienced former professional rider

  Dimitri Sedun has been named as a Directeur Sportif for Team Astana in the coming year. The Russian will join Italians Giuseppe Martinelli and Guido Bontempi at the Kazakh ProTour team.

  Sedun, 38, is married to pro cyclist Nicole Brändli. He is a former pro rider himself, having ridden for teams Roslotto, De Nardi and MAT from 1996 to 2001.

  He was a sports director of the women's team Acca Due, where he worked with Brändli, Zulfiya Zabirova, Diana Zilute and Edita Pucinskaite. He has also worked with the Brazilian cycling federation.

• Serrano recovers in hospital after nose surgery

  

  Article published:

  November 11, 14:58

  By:

  Gregor Brown

  Doctors corrected nasal septum deviation caused in crash at Delta Tour Zeeland

  Spaniard Rafael Serrano Fernandez (Contentpolis-Ampo) is recovering from successful surgery in Murcia, Spain, today on his nose. Doctors corrected a nasal septum deviation caused in a crash at Delta Tour Zeeland in June.

  "With the season over, it was time to solve the problem that made breathing difficult for me," Serrano told Europapress.

  Serrano crashed with Kenny Van Hummel (Skil-Shimano) in the second stage of the Delta Tour Zeeland June 13. He abandoned the stage race, but returned to competition soon after. He finished 28th in the World Championship time trial in Mendrisio, Switzerland.

  Doctors will release Serrano from the hospital in two days.

  Serrano, 22, said that, after two seasons of progression as a professional, he is ready to take a big step ahead in 2010. "Taking into account my age, it's gone well for me," he said.

• Ivan Dominguez signs with Jamis-Sutter Home

  

  Article published:

  November 11, 15:04

  By:

  Kirsten Robbins

  Cuban-American sprinter boosts US team

  Jamis-Sutter Home presented by Colavita has added Ivan Dominguez to its 2010 roster, bolstering a tough-to-beat sprint squad. The Cuban native accepted the late-season offer from the USA's top ranked National Racing Calendar (NRC) team after his lengthy wait for a Rock Racing contract failed to come through.

  "I signed with Jamis," Dominguez said candidly. "Basically, I got a called from their directeur Sebastian [Alexandre] asking if I was available. I said yes because I had not signed with Rock Racing yet. I was talking with them but they weren't ready to or able to give me a contract yet, so I hadn't signed yet. We went from there, it took two days to have everything done."

  It was recently announced that Colavita stepped down from its title sponsorship after a seven-year venture and Jamis Bicycles took over the leading position. Dominguez is no stranger to the team, having raced for them in 2004 when it was titled Colavita-Bolla.

  "I haven't met any of the people at the Jamis Bicycles yet," Dominguez said. "But I know Sebastian and almost all the guys from the team because I raced with them before. I went to Health Net and other teams but ever since then, I always had a good relationship with all of them."

  Dominguez joins a team of criterium specialists including Argentineans Sebastian Haedo, who ranked third in the NRC, and Alejandro Borrajo. The returning riders include Anibal Borrajo, Luis Amaran, Guido Palma, Andy Guptill and Tyler Wren. New riders include, Jamey Driscoll, Nick Frey, Jackie Simes and Frank Trevieso.

  "I feel like I fit very well there," Dominguez said. "I know how they race and they work well together. We can play a lot of cards. We have so many fast guys we can go in breaks and the others can sit in the back. I feel very comfortable going to these guys and they are very happy about it. I can't wait to start the season."

  Leaving Rock Racing on good terms

  Dominguez admitted he was hoping for a contract renewal from his current team Rock Racing. It is widely known that team owner Michael Ball was seeking additional financial sponsors following months of financial struggle.

  "I very much thought that I would race with Rock again," Dominguez said. "I sent Michael an e-mail saying I got this other offer and I had eight days to make the decision. Michael said he wanted me to stay but that he didn't have anything in the next few days for me."

  Rock Racing was notably absent from the list of eleven Continental teams registered with USA Cycling. According to Dominguez, his contract was on hold while Ball made arrangements to register the team in Mexico.

  "He wanted to register the team in Mexico and he was trying to do something with sponsors in Mexico," Dominguez said. "We were all just waiting for him to make an announcement about that but I couldn't wait anymore. When they found out I was leaving they were upset but they understood that I needed to make a decision. They understood that I have a family."

  Dominguez signed with Rock Racing for the 2009 season but left the team to join the ProTour ranks with Fuji-Servetto. After a six-month experience in Europe, he returned to Rock Racing in June citing a personal decision to be closer to his family in Los Angeles.

  "I had no problem with Rock Racing," Dominguez said. "I liked all the team, the bikes, the organization and the people. I had no problem with Michael and everything was good. He was good because he didn't want me to sign a contract without a sponsors signature yet, in case I didn't have a job. He wanted me to be on the team but, I couldn't wait and he was cool about it."

• Spanish director De Santos scouts Australia's 'uncomplicated' Worlds

  

  Article published:

  November 11, 16:42

  By:

  Gregor Brown

  Next year's World Championships likely to end in sprint, says José Luis De Santos

  The World Championships in Australia next year lack climbs significant enough to prevent a sprint finish, according to the director of the Spanish World Championship team, José Luis De Santos.

  "It's one of the least complicated ones I can remember," De Santos said to Todociclismo.

  The 2010 Worlds is the first point-to-point course.  It will take the professional men from Melbourne to Geelong over 85 kilometres. Once in Geelong, they will ride 11 15.9-kilometre circuits, each covering The Ridge climb (120m), for a total of 259.9 kilometres.

  The route to Geelong is "without complications and a very wide road" and the circuit is "in an area of residential development," said De Santos. "It has two climbs, but they won't be selective enough."

  The last metres to the finish line on Moorabool Street are uphill. "It's slightly upward, but nothing excessive, so the logical outcome would be a sprint."

  The women and Under 23 men will only race on the Geelong circuit, skipping the start in Melbourne. The circuit is the base for the time trials, too. The Under 23 men will race it twice (31.8km), and there will be extended versions for the men (two laps, 45.4km) and women (one lap, 22.7km).

  "Those who consider [Mark] Cavendish and [Fabian] Cancellara as favourite for the Worlds are not mistaken, although we will fight to upset this prediction," he said.

  Spain has won four World Championships in the last 10 years including three in sprints with Oscar Freire.

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• Chances of Contador staying at Astana high, says manager

  

  Article published:

  November 11, 17:48

  By:

  Peter Cossins

  Any deal will be for just one year

  According to Alberto Contador's manager/brother, Francisco, the two-time Tour de France champion is increasingly likely to stay with Astana for 2010.

  Speaking to Spanish website Biciclismo, Francisco Contador revealed that the work of recently appointed team boss Yvon Sanquer at Astana had resulted in a "good impression" of the work being done. "Yvon Sanquer wants to do things in the right way and move the project forwards," said Contador.

  However, he quickly added that there were still hurdles that needed to be crossed before a deal could finally be agreed between his brother and the Kazakh-backed team. "We're very close to Astana but it's not certain," he explained. "If Astana receives a ProTour licence from the UCI the chances of Alberto staying with them are greater. If they don't, Alberto and the rest of the riders will leave."

  He added that any deal with Astana would definitely only cover the 2010 season, no matter what the UCI's decision. "This is a new project [with Sanquer] and we don't know how it's going to work, so signing for any more than one year would be like going in with our eyes closed," Contador explained.

  As for reports of an €8 million a year offer for four years from Astana, Contador said they were nothing more than a joke. "It's incredible. This weekend I was in Florence relaxing with my wife so it was impossible for me to have met with anyone as was said, and the figures and years mentioned were also lies," he declared. "They've got nothing to do with reality… It's like someone reporting now that Alberto is going to sign for Contentpolis-AMPO."

  Contador refused to be drawn on which team is the favourite for Contador's signature if Astana don't retain his services. "Quick Step have shown great interest, but so have the rest of the teams," he stated, adding that he will discuss all the options with his brother when the Tour champion returns to Madrid from the Caribbean on Thursday.

• Prudhomme considers boosting Tour wild cards

  

  Article published:

  November 12, 00:04

  By:

  Peter Cossins

  More teams possible for 2010 French Grand Tour

  Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme has admitted that he and his organising team have been considering increasing the number of wild card places they will offer to teams for next year's race. Speaking to the magazine of the French national federation, La France Cycliste, Prudhomme confessed that he has even considered selecting as many as 26 teams for the Tour, although 22 looks more likely.

  "I can't say anything now, but we are certainly considering an expansion to 22 teams," Prudhomme revealed. "Sixteen teams are guaranteed participation, but the choice of four or six wild cards is extremely difficult. We will first wait for the final composition of the teams and their performance in the year before we announce our selection."

  Prudhomme's annual dilemma over which teams to award the Tour's wild card places to has been complicated by the sudden emergence of new contenders and the departure of French outfits Bbox Bouygues Telecom and Cofidis from the ProTour. The two French teams are almost certain to get two of the wild card slots that will be made available, leaving the likes of Team Sky, the Cadel Evans-led BMC racing team, Dutch teams Skil-Shimano and Vacansoleil, and emerging French team Saur-Sojasun battling for the other wild card places.

  Prudhomme has admitted in the past that increasing the number of teams riding the Tour is difficult not because of the increase in size of the peloton but because of the logistical problems involved, particularly finding accommodation for them.

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