Latest Cycling News for February 4, 2004

Edited by Chris Henry

Belda satisfied with Kelme start

Vicente Belda, directeur sportif of the Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme team, has expressed his satisfaction with the team's season debut at the Challenge Illes Balears. Star young rider Alejandro Valverde took the third stage after a dominant performance by the team, offering some much needed consolation after a winter of financial woes and a drop to Division II for the team.

"The riders had a desire to get even," Belda said in a Todociclismo report. "This victory goes out to the people who supported us. The win marks the beginning of the season and shows that the riders have worked very hard."

Valverde had only just arrived at the race after participating in the Gala del Deporte sports banquet, but called Belda to tell his director that he was eager to race in Mallorca, arriving on short notice to take part- and promptly win his first race of the season. Kelme showed its muscle by taking the top three places on the stage.

Although treated as a stage race, the Challenge Illes Balears is actually a series of five individual races, and thus not all riders compete all five days, which permitted Valverde to arrive for the third 'stage' Tuesday.

Tour de la Région Wallonne to Bruxelles

The 2004 edition of the Tour de la Région Wallonne stage race will visit the Belgian capital Bruxelles, in the shadow of the famous Atomium. This year's race is scheduled from July 26-30, falling between the Tour de France and the HEW Cyclassics World Cup race in Hamburg, Germany. Organisers expect many of the World Cup contenders will use the Tour de la Région Wallonne to hone their form.

Bruxelles will host this year's finish of stage 4, as well as the start of the fifth and final stage. The Tour will wrap up in Charleroi. Bruxelles will also host the grand départ of the Tour de la Région Wallonne in 2005.

Stages:

Stage 1 - July 26: Aubel-Bassenge, 160 km
Stage 2 - July 27: Amay-Arlon, 185 km
Stage 3 - July 28: Andenne-Nivelles, 210 km
Stage 4 - July 29: Jodoigne-Bruxelles, 170 km
Stage 5 - July 30: Bruxelles - Charleroi, 150 km

Nys' troubles a mystery

Sven Nys
Photo ©: Cyclingnews

Sven Nys, who was forced to abandon Sunday's World Cyclo-cross Championships race due to leg cramps, has not targeted the source of his troubles. Downplaying notions that he has a psychological weakness when it comes to the World's, the former Belgian national champion insists his failure was not due to nerves.

"There they go saying that I had a case of nerves for the World's," Nys told Belang van Limburg. "I have yet to figure out why I had cramps during the world championships. I felt ill, but not the whole time and my physical therapist found nothing strange."

Nys is awaiting results from blood tests, still debating whether or not to race this weekend in Raismes.

Robin out of action

Jean-Cyril Robin of the FDJeux.com team continues to suffer from tendinitis, which has delayed his season start, but the Frenchman is back in training and steadily increasing his ride times. Robin was scheduled to ride the GP Marseillaise and Etoile de Bessèges, but opted to delay his start.

"I still can't push hard and I would rather not risk it," Robin told l'Equipe. "Right now I don't know when I'll race again, but certainly not within the next two weeks."

New team doctor for US Postal

Former ONCE-Eroski team doctor Pedro Zelaya has joined the American US Postal Service team for 2004. The Spanish doctor arrives at the request of team leader Lance Armstrong, years after the two had worked together in the Motorola team of the early 1990's.

Phinney charity bash for LAF almost sold out

On Thursday, Feburary 5th at the Boulder Theater in Boulder, Colorado, America's winningest pro cyclist Davis Phinney will host a benefit premiere of film maker Scott Coady's "It's The Tour, Baby", a unique inside look at the 2000 Tour de France. The event is called "An Evening with Davis Phinney and Friends to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation."

Davis and Scott Coady decided to put together this charity event a few months ago, which features Coady's film premiere, a raffle and auction from Davis and his cycling friends of cool cycling memorabilia, plus Doug Emerson of University Bicycles will also contribute more gear for the charity auction. The Davis Phinney and Friends benefit after party features World renowned DJ Ron Miller from L.A. who will man the turntables in the Hammer Head Lounge party in the Boulder Theate lobby.

Reports are that over 500 tickets have been sold so far and the remaining tickets are going fast for "An Evening with Davis Phinney and Friends to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation," so if you're in Boulder on Thursday, the don't miss ducats are still available at the Boulder Theater website (www.bouldertheater.com). Tickets are $10. Doors open at 6:30 with the auction preview and "It's The Tour, Baby" shows at 7:30 and 9:00 for the after party. Why is this a don't-miss event? Because you can never get enough Tour de France or give enough to support cancer survivorship.

Sydney 24 Hour

The inaugural Sydney 24 Hour, a 24 hour mountain bike race, will be held just outside Windsor (one hour from downtown Sydney) on May 22-23 this year. The race will also incorporate the "26inches.com 12hours of Daylight", a twist on the traditional 12 hour format allowing competitors to choose to only race the daytime hours of the Sydney 24 Hour, and rest (or just have fun) throughout the evening.

Visit www.Sydney24Hour.com for all information regarding the event, including online registration which is open now. All correspondence should be directed to info@sydney24hour.com.

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