First Edition Cycling News for April 21, 2004

Edited by John Stevenson

The vicious circle

Jesus Manzano reveals more

Jesus Manzano
Photo: © Daniel Schamps

Spanish rider Jesús Manzano has been at the center of one of cycling's biggest ever controversies after he provided detailed allegations of doping to sports newspaper As last month. In his first interview outside of the Spanish media, Manzano talks to Hernan Alvarez Macias about his reasons for going public, death threats and some solutions to the doping problem.

Cyclingnews spoke exclusively with Jesús Manzano on April 13, the same day that the Spaniard went to the Spanish cycling federation (RFEC) to present evidence for his claims. Manzano presented 24 pieces of evidence, including prescriptions allegedly signed by Kelme's doctors between 2001 and 2003.

Manzano says he decided to talk about his alleged problems at Kelme because he believes riders' health is being put at risk. He has endured death threats; the cooling of his relationship with other riders and especially his former Kelme team-mates; and the threat of suspension as a self-confessed drug user. But Manzano is relieved and has no regrets. " It was a great load off my mind," he says. "I'm glad this might help someone some day."

Full interview

Astarloa to Lampre?

World champion Igor Astarloa is in discussions about a move to the Lampre team, according to a report from sportsworld.be. Astarloa is currently unable to race as his Cofidis team has suspended operations after a series of doping investigations and allegations involving former members of the team.

Astarloa's manager met with Lampre management on Monday. Lampre is understood to be interested in Astarloa to bolster the team while Francesco Casagrande is recovering from tendonitis. Astarloa, on the other hand, urgently needs to find a berth for the remaining Spring Classics, and time is running out.

It had previously looked like Astarloa might find a home at Quick.Step, but team manager Patrick Lefevere has ruled this out. "If Astarloa comes to us it will be to ride for Bodysol-Brustor," said Lefevere, "but the team does not have a start in either Flèche Wallonne or Liège-Bastogne-Liège. That doesn't mean our chances are zero though. We're still interested."

Belda & Castellano to meet

Carmine Castellano, director of the Giro d'Italia, and Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme team bosses Vicente Belda and José Luis Aznar will meet in Milan next week to discuss the troubled Spanish squad's participation in next month's Giro d'Italia, May 8-30. The team delegation will be led by Esteban González Pons, the minister for education, culture and sport of the Comunidad Valenciana.

Pons will attempt to assure the Giro management that the team sponsored by his regional government is free from doping after the allegations made over the last several weeks by former team member Jesus Manzano.

In team statement, Vicente Belda emphasized the importance of riding the Giro for his team's chances of being part of the 18-team pro Tour that the UCI plans to introduce in 2005.

Bruylandts training again

Dave Bruylandts (left) training again

Dave Bruylandts at the gym

Eight days after breaking his elbow in a fall, Chocolade Jacques-Wincor Nixdorf rider Dave Bruylandts been able to resume training in the gym at the Gent fitness center.

"I could exercise at home with weights, but of course it's much better for the motivation to be in a porofessional fitness center," said Bruylandts. "In the next few days I will use a special handlebar arrangement on my time trial bike to allow me to train without loading my arm, but for the moment it's important just to keep working so my muscles do not lose condition."

Bruylandts hopes to return to racing for the Belgian championships in Tessenderlo on June 27. "I don't expect to win but at least I won't be house-bound by then," he said. He will then train and ride some smaller races in July and then, "I definitely want to ride the Tour of Burgos [August 2-5]." Bruylandts, who was the top-ranked Belgian on UCI points before his injury, says his first major target will be the San Sebastian world cup on August 7. "By then I must be fully fit," he said, "because the Olympic road race has now become my absolute priority. But of course I must regain my form to justify my Olympic selection."

Unai Osa injured

Illes Balears - Banesto rider Unai Osa has broken his clavicle during a training session, according to an announcement from his team. The Spanish cyclist will be operated on this week and is out for the next races.

Bracke sidelined for a month

Landbouwkrediet-Colnago rider Tony Bracke will be out of action for a month after his crash in Paris-Roubaix last weekend. X-rays revealed small fractures in his arm, according to team sources.

Landbouwkrediet-Colnago for Flèche Wallonne

For today's Flèche Wallonne classic, the Landbouwkrediet-Colnago will field Yaroslav Popovych, Christian Gasperoni, Wolodimir Duma, Nico Sijmens, Bert de Wael, Johan Verstrepen, Maxime Monfort, and Marc Streel.

Liberty Seguros for Flèche and Liège

The Liberty Seguros team will field the same squad for both of the next two Classics, Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The team will comprise Dariusz Baranowski, Giampaolo Caruso, Koldo Gil, Jan Hruska, Javier Ramirez, Luis León Sánchez, Marcos Serrano, and Ángel Vicioso.

Team announced for Bedford three day

By Shane Stokes, irishcycling.com

Following the selection race held on Sunday at Stamullen, the four-woman Hibernian Team Ireland squad for next month's Bedford Three Day has been announced. Talented Cork newcomer Siobhan Dervan was an automatic choice after her fine win on Sunday and good performances all year, while Trudy Brown - second in Stamullen - has also been given the nod.

Orwell rider Karen Bothwell, fifth on Sunday, has also been chosen. She has been below-par in recent weeks due to illness but appeared to be regaining some of her strength during the race. The other place on the Bedford Three Day team goes to UK-based Colette Swift, who missed Sunday's race but is one of the most experienced Irish women currently racing. Last season she was second in the Irish road race championships, fourth in the Tour of Okinawa, 18th in the B world championships and took two top three places plus fifth overall in the TQ Paper Women's International 2 day.

Missing out are Joanie Burns, third on Sunday, and fourth-placed Siobhan Jacob. Burns is an American citizen while Jacob is concentrating on track racing this year.

East Coast Velo seeks riders

East Coast Velo is looking for four or five female Cat 1-2 riders with UCI licenses to make up a composite team for possible inclusion into the Wachovia Liberty Classic this year. Riders will have to be able to get a release from their teams for the day and be able to race under the East Coast Velo colors that day.

Resumes should be sent to jakobsno1@aol.com for further information, and information about the team can be found at eastcoastvelo.org.

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