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Dauphiné Libéré
Photo ©: Sirotti

First Edition Cycling News for February 21, 2004

Edited by Chris Henry

Teams for Paris-Roubaix

The 2003 podium
Photo: © Sirotti
Click for larger image

Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) has released the list of 25 teams invited to take part in the 2004 edition of Paris-Roubaix. This year's hell of the north, the 102nd edition, takes place on April 11 with a traditional start in Compiègne, north of Paris. The race will include 26 sections of pavé, including the recently rehabilitated Mons-en-Pévèle, a 3 kilometre stretch of cobbles graciously preserved by the local communities.

Of particular interest will be the 3.7km section at Hornaing-Wandignies-Hamage, which will feature in stage 3 of this year's Tour de France between Waterloo, Belgium and Wasquehal.

Teams:

Ag2r-Prévoyance
Alessio-Bianchi
Bankgiroloterij
Brioches La Boulangère
Chocolade Jacques-Wincor Nixdorf
Cofidis
Crédit Agricole
Team CSC
Domina Vacanze
Fassa Bortolo
FDJeux.com
Gerolsteiner
Illes Balears-Banesto
Lampre
Landbouwkrediet-Colnago
Liberty Seguros
Lotto-Domo
Mr Bookmaker-Palmans
Phonak Hearing Systems
Quick.Step-Davitamon
Rabobank
RAGT Semences-MG Rover
Saeco
T-Mobile
US Postal Service presented by Berry Floor

Ullrich to Almeria

Jan Ullrich has bumped up his racing debut, confirming his plans to take part in the Clasica Ciclista International de Almeria in Spain. The 187 kilometre race, scheduled for February 29, will mark the season opener for the German as he begins his build up to the Tour de France. Fellow Tour de France contender Joseba Beloki is expected to take part, although Lance Armstrong does not figure among the starters. Ullrich and Armstrong will meet for the first time this year at the Vuelta a Murcia in early March.

Coupe de France Under way

The season-long Coupe de France series kicks off this weekend with an important double bill, Saturday's Tour du Haut Var and Sunday's Classic Haribo. The Tour du Haut Var is a race for the climbers, or "puncheurs", while the Classic Haribo often comes down to a sprint in the finishing circuit in Marseille. Last year's races were won by Sylvain Chavanel (Haut Var) and Jaan Kirsipuu (Haribo).

Individual and team prizes are awarded for the Coupe de France. Last year's team honours went to Brioches La Boulangère.

2004 Coupe de France

February 21: Tour du Haut Var
February 22: Classic Haribo
March 21: GP de Cholet-Pays de Loire
April 2: Route Adélie
April 4: GP de la Ville de Rennes
April 13: Paris-Camembert
April 15: GP de Denain
April 18: Tour de Vendée
May 2: Trophée des Grimpeurs
May 29: A Travers le Morbihan
May 31: GP de Villers-Cotterets
June 5: Classique des Alpes
August 30: GP le Télégramme
September 19: GP d'Isbergues
October 7: Paris-Bourges

Sixth Giro di Lucca

The sixth edition of the Giro della Provincia di Lucca in Italy will take place from February 24-27, a shift in the calendar from the race's customary fall time slot. With four stages, two of which are tailor made for the sprinters, the race provides an early showdown between Italy's top sprinters Mario Cipollini and Alessandro Petacchi. Last year's tour was won by Rabobank sprinter Oscar Freire.

Thirteen Italian and eight international teams will make up the 168 rider peloton, with top contenders including Trofeo Laigueglia winner Filippo Pozzato, Davide Rebellin, Stefano Garzelli, Michele Bartoli, and Yaroslav Popovych.

Stages:

Stage 1 - February 24: Viareggio-Capannori, 174km
Stage 2 - February 25: Massarosa-Lido di Camaiore, 173km
Stage 3 - February 26: Lucca-Castelvecchio Pascoli, 176km
Stage 4 - February 27: Castelnuovo di Garfagnana-Altopascio, 188km

Teams:

Acqua & Sapone
Alessio-Bianchi
Amore & Vita-Beretta
Ceramiche Panaria-Margres
Chocolade Jacques-Wincor Nixdorf
Colombia-Selle Italia
Team CSC
De Nardi
Domina Vacanze
Fassa Bortolo
FDJeux.com
Formaggi Pinzolo Fiavé
Gerolsteiner
Lampre
Landbouwkrediet-Colnago
Lotto-Domo
Team LPR
Miche
Saeco
Tenax
Vini Caldirola-Nobili Rubinetterie

Damien Nazon back

Damien Nazon (Crédit Agricole), who injured his wrist in a crash at the Doha International Grand Prix in January, will return to competition at Sunday's Classic Haribo in southern France. A sprinter in a sprinter's classic, Nazon doesn't expect to challenge for victory in Marseille, but will build back up after three weeks out of racing.

Casagrande delayed again

Lampre leader Francesco Casagrande continues to suffer from tendinitis, delaying his planned racing debut for a second time. Initially scheduled to start his season at the Trofeo Laigueglia last Tuesday, Casagrande opted to wait until the upcoming Giro della Provincia di Lucca (February 24-27). With his Achilles tendon still inflamed, Casagrande once more has postponed his entry into competition. March appears the earliest Casagrande could find himself back in action, but no date has been set.

Brouzes broken

Frenchman Niels Brouzes (Auber 93) suffered a fractured clavicle after a fall in training Tuesday. Brouzes underwent surgery and should be back in training within a week or two, and back to racing in a month. He was motorpacing behind a car at the time of the fall, caused by hitting a pothole and losing control.

USA Cycling U23 mountain bike team

USA Cycling has announced the debut of the U23 National Mountain Bike Team. The program began as an effort to develop top espoir mountain bike athletes in preparation for world-class competition. The ultimate goal of the new U23 trade team is to generate gold medal finishes at world championships, the Pan American Games, and the Olympic Games.

"By providing valuable coaching and preparation resources, and exposure to top domestic and international competition, we hope to nurture the development of these athletes to help them become top international competitors," " said team director Matt Cramer.

Team members were recognized and selected through regional and national road and mountain bike events, USA Cycling regional and national development camps, and domestic and international results. After a competitive selection process, four talented riders were chosen to take part in the project’s first season: John Devine, Alan Obye, Sam Schultz, and Nick Waite.

The riders took part in a training camp from January 4-11 at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Racing begins in March when the team will make its first appearance at the NORBA National Series in Waco, Texas.

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