Second Edition Cycling News, Wednesday, November 4, 2009

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November 4, 2009, 23:00

• Phinney plans his 2010 season

  

  Article published:

  November 4, 2009, 15:21

  By:

  Daniel Benson

  Under 23 racer recovering from tonsillectomy

  While recovering at home after having his tonsils removed, Taylor Phinney is busy putting together his 2010 racing schedule. With his focus set to balance both his track and road commitments, he's planning to race a similar programme to this year, with a strong emphasis on the Under 23 Classics and the World Track Championships in Copenhagen.

  "I had surgery last week and it went fine. I have some nice holes in my throat but the surgery will pay off in the future," he told Cyclingnews. Throughout my life I've been getting sick a lot. With my tonsils out I should get sick a lot less. When I think back to last year, I was getting sick after every big race that I did. Without that happening I should do a lot better next year."

  With Lance Armstrong's Team Radioshack set to be announced as a co-sponsor of the Trek-Livestrong team, Phinney will also take part in a number of training camps with the RadioShack squad, before starting his first race of the season, at the Tour of Qatar. "I don't know my exact programme, but I'll be doing the Qatar and the Track World Championships in Copenhagen. I want to go there and win the pursuit again and prove to the UCI that they're making a mistake by taking it out of the Olympic programme," Phinney said.

  At last week's track World Cup in Manchester, Great Britain's Geraint Thomas set the third fastest time in history for the pursuit. While Phinney believes that competition is good for the sport, he can go faster than the 4:15 that carried him to gold in Poland earlier in the year.

  "I heard about Thomas, and I think that's great. He's fast and has been for a long time. I don't know why the British didn't enter a pursuit rider at the Worlds. I'm sure they had someone who could have gone fast. It was also good to see that Dominique Cornu is going faster than last year, even after a big road season. Manchester is known as being as fast track so it's too bad that I missed it. If you're fast enough you can make any track fast though. We'll see what happens in Copenhagen, but I want to go faster than I did in the Worlds this year."

  From there Phinney will travel to Belgium to race with the American Under 23 Team at the Under 23 Tour of Flanders, Nations Cup and Paris Roubaix. "The main thing in May is going to be Paris Roubaix, so if I had a choice between that and Tour of California, I would do Roubaix. I won it last year, and if I went to the Tour of California I'd just get my butt kicked. I could go to Roubaix and maybe win."

  One race Phinney won't be competing in again is the Vuelta Mexico Telex, where the Trek-Livestrong team made their debut in 2009. "We're not going back, which I'm relieved about. That was a long and hot race and came too early in the season, at least for me. The stages in Qatar will be short but fast."

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• Keisse to return to Gent Six Day with Kluge

  

  Article published:

  November 4, 2009, 16:29

  By:

  Cycling News

  Cleared of doping, Belgian can defend overall title

  Belgian track cyclist Iljo Keisse will return to the Zesdaagse van Gent (Gent Six day) at the end of November, not with the partner who rode with him for the past two years, Robert Bartko, but with another German, Roger Kluge.

  Keisse won the event last year with Bartko, but was subsequently declared positive for doping after a control showed two banned substances, cathine and HCT. He fought the charges, and was cleared of a doping offense after the Belgian federation decided his positive was the result of a contaminated nutritional supplement.

  Keisse has won the Gent Six Day three times - in 2005 with Matthew Gilmore, and in 2007 and 2008 with Bartko, but was in the lead with the German when the 2006 event was cancelled following the death of Isaac Galvez on night five.

  The 26-year-old was roundly criticized by Bartko following the positive doping control.

  Keisse's new partner, Kluge recently won the Six Days of Amsterdam with Bartko. The 23-year-old German was the silver medallist in the points race at the Beijing Olympic Games.

  Bartko will pair with Kenny De Ketele, the Belgian who rode with Keisse in Amsterdam. According to sporza.be, De Ketele had hoped to stay with Keisse, but the organization chose to separate the pair.

  The 69th edition of the Gent Six Day takes place from November 24 to 29.

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• Rasmussen signed contract, insists team CDC-Cavaliere

  

  Article published:

  November 4, 2009, 16:36

  By:

  Gregor Brown

  Danish cyclist's reaction angers Italian team

  Danish cyclist Michael Rasmussen has denied signing a contract with the Italian squad CDC-Cavaliere, but according to the team's lawyer he did and they want to hold him to it.

  Rasmussen, who is making a comeback to cycling after a two-year suspension, was linked to the team last week, but quickly denied to ekstrabladet.dk Friday that he signed a contract with them. "It is a mystery to me how this story has evolved," he said, adding that he is negotiating with a different team.

  But CDC-Cavaliere lawyer Mirco Piersanti said in a press release Wednesday that there is a valid agreement with Rasmussen.

  "We have a contract in which there doesn't exist any doubts," said Piersanti.  "It's a normal workers' contract, identical to that of the International Cycling Union, a signed original and in front of a witness."

  Rasmussen's agent Moreno Nicoletti said he was confused and thought he signed a pre-contract, but not a real contract, according to Piersanti.

  "It shows that he did sign something and is contradictory to what the Danish cyclist is saying," continued Piersanti.

  "We are angry and hurt. We will do everything to uphold our end, trusting that the rider will use a little common sense, and recognise and fulfill the commitments."

  Rasmussen's former team Rabobank forced him out of the 2007 Tour de France while in the race leader's yellow jersey. There were problems with his whereabouts declarations to anti-doping authorities.

  He served a two-year ban for violating anti-doping rules that ended on July 25, 2009.

  Last month, he won the prologue and finished sixth overall at the Vuelta a Chihuahua in Mexico while racing with team Tecos-Trek.

  CDC-Cavaliere competed as Continental or third division team this year, called Centri della Calzatura. It hopes to make a jump up one division and have a Professional Continental license next season.

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• Voigt reflects on 2009 season, eager for 2010

  

  Article published:

  November 4, 2009, 17:12

  By:

  Cycling News

  Critérium International victory, return to Tour goals for next year

  As Jens Voigt (Team Saxo Bank) looks back on his 2009 season, the horrific crash during stage 16 of the Tour de France is still fresh in his mind. Despite being unable to finish the Tour and having to take six weeks off the bike for recovery, Voigt doesn't display any bitterness about his season.

  "The crash on the descent during the Tour was ugly in many ways and most active athletes know that the a six-week break in the mid-season can make you crazy and restless inside. But the incident had a more profound influence on me. With all the alternative impacts the crash could have provided in mind, I have been grateful for even being able to recognize my wife and children, to be able to walk and to live a life without permanent injuries.

  "That is the most important issue for me and my family. Everyday life functions again and I enjoy the off-season and being at home where my kids have made endless lists of activities for us to do before the races begin again".

  Voigt's 2009 season was highlighted by his record-tying fifth victory in France's Critérium International. The 38-year-old German also claimed a stage win, the points classification and the mountains classification while Saxo Bank won the team classification. Voigt is eager to compete once again next year at the event.

  "It was great winning the Critérium International for the fifth time. Only the French legend, Raymond Poulidor have done the same and I will certainly go for the sixth victory in the 2010 season. In addition, I am happy about the beautiful 2009 Tour de France with three stage wins and an overall second place for Team Saxo Bank. My definite goal is to be selected for the Tour de France line-up in 2010 where I hope and believe that I am back in peak shape. I do not want to end my Tour de France participation with a crash."

  Before training commences for the 2010 season, however, Voigt will enjoy a couple of weeks of time off the bike which began after he helped teammate Chris Anker Sørensen win the Japan Cup on October 25. Voigt will start his training program and at the end of November when Team Saxo Bank partakes in its annual survival camp.

  "Of course, I am looking forward to days without food or sleep with nocturnal walks in complete darkness. Who wouldn't?" said Voigt. "When you are standing freezing, hungry and tired in the middle of a dark forest without knowing where you are, it seems difficult to see the point of anything. But these 'stupid' hikes still serve a relevant and important purpose. It brings the team closer together and we learn to know each other and work together with our differences as a strength.

  "That is highly relevant when we work so closely together as a team and is a great tool for welcoming new riders to the team. And when the camp is over you leave with increased readiness and confidence from successfully overcoming challenges."

  Voigt is looking forward to meeting Saxo Bank's new riders for 2010, particularly Australia's Baden Cooke.

  "We have had to say goodbye to good friends and old acquaintances on the team like Kurt-Asle [Arvesen], Karsten Kroon, Lars Bak and Marcus Ljungqvist but in return we get to welcome several new riders who are just waiting for the proper development," said Voigt. "Baden Cooke, for instance, is a strong rider who has won the points classification at the Tour de France but external factors have held him back in the last few years. I am looking forward to watching him reveal his talent and I am looking forward to working with the new aspiring riders."

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• Bahati names 15 rider roster

  

  Article published:

  November 4, 2009, 17:15

  By:

  Cycling News

  Bahati to race alongside Clarke and O'Neill

  The Bahati Foundation Pro Cycling Team has announced a 15-rider roster for their debut season in 2010.

  As part of the announcement, Team principal Rahsaan Bahati has confirmed that he will race as part of his newly formed team. Yesterday he had confirmed that he was still looking for a rider contract.

  "I'm blessed to have a talented group of individuals who can deliver the message for the Bahati Foundation while winning races at a professional level," said Bahati.

  "I’m truly excited to know my future is in the hands of people who are dedicated to the sport and want to give back to the communities that are lacking structure and resources."

  Australia's Hilton Clarke will return to the US racing scene with Bahati after a year with ProTour squad Fuji-Servetto. Clarke's compatriot Nathan O'Neill has also been named in the team and will mark his comeback to racing after he completed a suspension for a positive drugs test last November.

  The USA's Jason Donald will be the team's other former-ProTour recruit. He leaves Garmin-Slipstream after three seasons. Bahati's former-Rock Racing teammate Cesar Grajales has also been confirmed as part of the team's inaugural line up.

  The full 2010 Bahati Foundation Pro Cycling Team roster is:
  
  Rahsaan Bahati
  Nathan O’Neill
  Hilton Clarke
  Jason Donald
  Matt Rice
  Cesar Grajales
  Ryan Baumann
  Corey Collier
  Bobby Lea
  Alex Hagman
  Peter Carey
  Phillip Mann
  Evan Hyde
  Ian Burnett
  Lanell Rockmore

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• O'Neill set to return with Bahati Foundation team

  

  Article published:

  November 4, 2009, 18:23

  By:

  Laura Weislo

  Australian eligible to race after two-year suspension

  Nathan O'Neill is set to make his return to competition with the new Bahati Foundation professional team in 2010. The 34-year-old Australian is excited to get back to racing his bike after serving a two-year suspension on a doping positive for an appetite suppressant.

  The eight-time Australian time trial champion will join three former teammates, Rahsaan Bahati, whose foundation the team benefits, Hilton Clarke and Cesar Grajales, on the new squad thanks to the work of his coach Rick Crawford of Colorado Premier Training.

  "Rick was given the opportunity to work with the team, and that included recommending riders," O'Neill told Cyclingnews. "Knowing I didn't have anything on the table for next year, he put my name in.

  "I'm really happy with how the team is shaping up - I rode with Rahsaan on Saturn in 2003, and Hilton and Cesar were teammates of mine on the Navigators team in 2005... but I'm excited to get to know everybody - I believe Rick when he says he's put together a great roster."

  So far, O'Neill doesn't have plans to get together with his new squad before the team training camp in January. The Georgia resident hopes to have a chance to meet the other riders before the end of the year, but can already train with one teammate, Grajales, who lives in nearby Athens.

  O'Neill said he has a bit of work to do to get back to top speed after two full years out of competition. He tested positive for the appetite suppressant phenteramine at the Tour of Elk Grove in August, 2007. He quickly admitted to taking the drug, insisting that he took it legally outside of competition, but explained that a trace amount remained in his system by the time he won the prologue and overall title in the Chicago event.

  While the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) found that O'Neill was at "no significant fault" for the doping positive and attempted to levy a 15-month reduced ban, which would have allowed him to race the 2009 season, an appeal by ASADA, the UCI and the World Anti-Doping Agency resulted in a full two-year ban with an effective end-date of June 13, 2010.

  But O'Neill revealed that this decision had been overturned this summer, putting the end of his suspension at an amorphous date sometime two years after a point between the date of his positive test and the date he was notified.

  "The anti-doping authority recognized that the June 13 date was wrong and rectified the situation, but they didn't actually give me a firm date the suspension would end - but the latest date, that of my notification on September 23, means I am actually eligible to race now."

  Despite being cleared to race, O'Neill said he would not race the Australian National Championships in Ballarat this January.

  "I've been training, but am a little behind where I should be for racing in January. I've thought about it a lot, actually, and I just don't want to go there when I'm not feeling good.

  "After two years out of the sport, it is going to take me most of the year to really hit full stride - I'm hoping it will come sooner, but it will take time to get my confidence back."

  O'Neill said he was comfortable with the idea that his role on the new team might include domestique duties, but he is fine with that. "I'm just keyed up to contribute," he said.

  "The two years off were a kind of a blessing in a way - there was a while there when I was going pretty stale, but now I'm excited to get back to racing my bike."

  When asked if he is concerned that other riders will look down on him for his doping case, O'Neill said he was more nervous about his form going into the season than what other people might say.

  "There will always be people who have bad things to say - they probably did before all this, so I don't worry about them. I know I made an honest mistake, and I paid the maximum penalty for it. I should be allowed to move on - I never hid behind any lies or crazy stories to explain it, so I'm at ease with everything."

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• Bourgain injured in Grenoble Six Day crash

  

  Article published:

  November 4, 2009, 20:57

  By:

  Cycling News

  Olympian to miss next two track World Cups

  French sprinter Mickaël Bourgain will miss the next two UCI Track World Cups after being injured in a crash at the Six Day event in Grenoble this week.

  Bourgain, the bronze medallist in the sprint in the Beijing Olympic Games, fell during a match sprint against compatriot Gregory Bauge at the Professional Sprint series on Monday. He suffered a type 3 shoulder separation, but will not need surgery to correct the injury, according to the French Cycling Federation.

  "I will be immobilised for two weeks in a sling and then we'll see how the bump has changed, but apparently this could be lengthy. It could be four to six weeks before I can pull on the handlebars," Bourgain said.

  "The World Cups in Cali and Melbourne are not worth thinking about. I hope to race the final in Beijing. We'll see if I am ready in time."

  Bourgain will have further examinations to determine if other muscles or ligaments were damaged in the crash tomorrow.

• Clarke brings European experience back to America

  

  Article published:

  November 4, 2009, 22:50

  By:

  Kirsten Robbins

  Reunited with younger brother in US peloton

  Hilton Clarke will bring his ProTour experience back to the US in 2010 with the recently announced Bahati Foundation Professional Cycling Team. The Australian sprinter hopes that his well-known criterium expertise will bring success to the new squad in order to inspire and empower underprivileged youth to rise above their circumstances.

  "I did my year there and this opportunity came up," Clarke said. "It sounded like a cool thing that Rahsaan is putting together and I wanted to be a part of it. I definitely look forward to doing all the NRC [National Racing Calendar] races again. I'm thinking we will target those events but we haven't gone over that yet."

  Clarke raced for American teams Navigators Insurance Cycling in 2005 and 2006 followed by Toyota-United Pro Cycling in 2007 and 2008. After more than 60 career victories he was picked up by the Spanish-based ProTour team Fuji-Servetto in 2009 and upgraded to races like the Ronde Van Vlaanderen, Tour de Suisse and the Volta a Catalunya.

  "The experience was really good and I gained a lot of depth coming from Europe back to America," said Clarke, who struggled to get a podium placing this year. "It was a Catch-22 as to whether I wanted to have success in America at a lower level or be pack fill in Europe at the ProTour level.

  "I'm glad I haven't had to make that decision because the teams have made that decision for me," Clarke continued. "I felt I made it through a lot of races in the mountains that I might not have been able to before. But, the things I could do in America to seal the deal, I found difficult in Europe this year. It was a great experience but for me, because I did so well in America before, I was expected to do the same in Europe and I wasn't able to come through."

  USA Cycling announced a new set of rules this summer whereby the American UCI teams must have a majority of riders from the USA and under the age of 28. These two adjustments made it difficult for riders like Clarke to find employment in the United States.

  "The whole age thing that the Continental teams have is tough," said Clarke, a native of Ormond, Australia with a racing age of 30. "Most teams already have there three or four guys over 27 years old and there aren't many opportunities for guys like me because I'm also foreign. Every year there might be one spot for a foreign rider who is also over 27 in America. No matter how successful you are, there aren't many spots available. So, a new team starting offered a lot more spots."

  Clarke currently resides on the West coast in Los Angeles, California where he met Rahsaan Bahati, the team co-owner and former US national criterium champion. The recently announced roster included top guns like Jason Donald, who joined the team from Garmin-Slipstream and fellow countryman Nathan O'Neill who returns to the sport following a two-year suspension on a doping positive for an appetite suppressant.

  "I'm excited to ride with Rahsaan next year," Clarke said. "We excel in similar races but we have a different style. We will do well together with our two different styles of racing because we will have two cards to play in the same sort of races. It's always a plus to have Nathan on any team in American because he is such a strong GC rider so he will focus on the GC in American races."

  Brothers back together in America

  Clarke's return to the USA has reunited him with younger brother Jonny Clarke who resides on the East coast in Asheville, North Carolina. The pair last competed on the same team with Toyota-United in 2008. However, this year they will not be competing for the same outfit.

  "When I first came to America my younger brother was in Italy with the [Australian] national team," Clarke said. "I really pushed to get him over here on the same team as me. When we both rode for Toyota-United, it was really cool to ride on the same team as him. Now we have different opportunities and I don't have to be his big brother pestering him anymore, [I'll] just let him do his own thing. Once he has a few years of learning the ropes, I hope we can get reunited again on the same team."

  While Hilton has found a new home with the Bahati Foundation Pro Cycling Team, Jonny, 25, is currently contracted with the Jelly Belly Pro Cycling Team and rumored to have signed with the United Health Care Team in 2010.

  When asked if there would be some awkwardness competing against his older brother, Jonny said, "You just have to do your job. He won't be on my side next year so it might be a different ball game. He's used to racing well here and I think he'll have a great year. I'm sure we'll help each other out."

  Jonny is the youngest of three brothers all involved in cycling. The eldest sibling, Troy, has retired from professional bike racing. "I enjoyed racing with Hilton immensely," Jonny said. "I've never known anything different because Troy, Hilton and I are very tight as brothers. It's great to help a teammate but when you help your own blood and he comes up with a win it's special. I hope to race with him again one day but for now it's good I go my own way."

  There's five years difference between the two brothers and Hilton has cemented his ability as a sprinter. Jonny admits he still has time to develop. "He's a lot faster than I am," Jonny said. "Hilton is very strong in the crit style of racing and the way he talks about a crit, in the depth he goes into, I've never heard that from anyone else. He knows those races inside out. Personally, I don't really know where my strengths lie yet. I'm still trying to figure it out."