First Edition Cycling News for January 12, 2005

Edited by Hedwig Kröner

Museeuw: "Do you want a second Pantani?"

Johan Museeuw, whose use of doping products in 2003 was recently established by a Belgian public prosecutor still maintains his innocence. At the moment, the 'Lion of Flanders' refuses to answer any questions from the media about the allegations made against him in the Landuyt case, but might start a public debate at a time of his choice.

"I don't want to and cannot talk about the content of the court's files," he explained. "I know that I haven't done anything wrong and have nothing to hide. If this goes on, I'll open up a debate at the right moment, and at the right place to defend myself. But I cannot do this now."

Museeuw, who won Paris-Roubaix three times, also feels mistreated by the media. "What is the meaning of all these so-called revelations of the last few days - which to me, contain nothing new - in comparison to what has been reported before?" he asked. "Do you want to create a second Pantani in this country? It could just be too much for me too. At the moment, I feel the media treats me worse than Marc Dutroux," referring to a convicted serial child abuser and murderer, whose case plunged Belgium in a deep social and political crisis in the late nineties.

No more GP Eddy Merckx

According to French website velomania.net, Belgium's two man time-trial GP Eddy Merckx will cease to exist in 2005 after 25 editions. Apparently, Merckx himself decided it was time to discontinue the event, saying its cost was too high. "Furthermore, a lot of riders lined up at the start against their will," the legendary Belgian explained.

Meanwhile, the race name 'GP Eddy Merckx' reportedly will continue, as Paris-Bruxelles will take over its appellation. The race will also have its finish line moved from Anderlecht stadium to King Baudoin stadium, at the other side of Brussels' outskirts.

French cross team ready for World's

French national coaches Patrick Cluzaud and Jean-Yves Plaisance have made their choice about their team roster for the World Championships of Cyclo-Cross in St. Wendel, Germany at the end of this month. For the National champs Jules Chabanon, Romain Villa, Maryline Salvetat and Francis Mourey, selection was obvious. Furthermore, all riders who finished on the podium at the French Nats in Liévin last week-end were selected, as well as a few others.

French riders participating in the World Championships of Cyclo-Cross will be:

Juniors: Jules Chabanon (AC Bazancourt Reims), Romain Lejeune (AC Bazancourt Reims), Geoffrey Lorrain (VC La Pomme Marseille), Yannick Martinez (CSM Epinay-sur-Seine) and Guillaume Perrot (EC Saint-Etienne Loire).

Espoirs: Julien Belgy (Vendée U), Steve Chainel (ASPTT Nancy), Anthony Colas (US Domontoise), Clément Lhotellerie (VC La Pomme Marseille) and Romain Villa (UV Aube).

Women: Laurence Leboucher (UV Fresnoise), Maryline Salvetat (VSLL Castres), Corinne Sempé (Lescar Vélo Sprint) and Nadia Triquet (VC Moyenmoutier).

Elite: David Derepas, John Gadret (Jartazi), Arnaud Labbe (Poitou-Charentes) and Francis Mourey (Française des Jeux).

Figueras joins Lampre-Caffita

After riding for Second Division team Ceramiche Panaria-Margres in 2004, Italian rider Giuliano Figueras joins ProTeam Lampre-Caffita for this season. The winner of the Settimana Ciclistica Internazionale finally came to an agreement with team manager Claudio Corti after an initial deal at the end of October 2004 that turned sour. A one-year contract was signed in Milan, Italy, yesterday.

UK pay-TV to show Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under

United Kingdom TV network Sky Sports will broadcast daily 30-minute highlights of the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under from January 18-23. The programme will be broadcast four times each day - including in prime-time at 17.30 or 18.30 - on Sky Sports 2, Sky Sports 3 or Sky Sports Xtra. Commentary will come from Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen.

Jenner out of Trust House Cycle Classic

Chris Jenner will not be able to participate in this month's Trust House Cycle Classic. New Zealand's only Tour de France stage winner phoned tour director Jorge Sandoval from his New Caledonia home yesterday with the bombshell.

The 30 year-old is training to become a steward for Air Caledonia and only learned yesterday that the final 60 hours of on-the-job training begins during the January 26-30 tour. The Trust House-sponsored race was to be Jenner's Farewell from professional cycling and Sandoval had lured a star-studded team to Wellington in an effort to give the former Upper Hutt rider a winning sendoff.

Jenner apologised to Sandoval for his late withdrawal. "When I started racing at 15, Jorge was organising the Wellington Tour and I was keen to finish in his race," he said. "So it's a big let down for both of us. But cycling's not going to be there for ever so I think he sort of understands. I'm pretty upset because my big plan was to try and win this last race. I'd been training pretty hard for it because my last race was in September." Jenner said there was a chance he could come out of retirement to race the 2006 Wairarapa-Wellington Classic.

Meanwhile, race director Sandoval has lost his headline act for the five-day, 515km classic. "It's frustrating because you try to put events together and you rely on people," he said. "It's especially disappointing because Chris approached me to put a team together. Unfortunately, that's the end of his career."

Sandoval is talking to contacts in Australia in the hope of finding a high-profile replacement for Jenner, who helped the Credit Agricole team win the teams time trial stage in the 2001 Tour de France. "It's unfortunate but these things happen. We'll try and get a top Australian rider. It'll still be a good event," he said.

The International Cycling Union sanctioned-tour begins with the traditional 45 km Avalon criterium and finishes six stages and five days later with another circuit stage in Petone. Sponsored by Trust House, the classic also includes a new 158.5 km return loop from Masterton to Pahiatua via Eketahuna on January 28. It is the first leg of a big summer of cycling organised by Sandoval, with a 120km women's World Cup race confirmed for central Wellington on March 6. The World Cup follows a three-day women's tour, taking in stages in Avalon, Wairarapa and Wellington from March 2-4.

Colavita sponsorship up for bids

Colavita New England Cycling Team has found an interesting new way of attracting possible sponsors - by putting its title sponsorship on auction platform ebay, the US amateur team hopes to find further support. To find out more, please click here

Cross documentary to raise money for Colorado Juniors

Some of the biggest names in American cycling are scheduled to attend the Colorado premier of the cyclocross documentary "Pure Sweet Hell" at the Trilogy Wine Bar and Lounge in Boulder, Colorado on Monday, January 17. The event is an effort to raise funds to help Colorado Junior cyclocross stars Brady Kappius and Adam McGrath pay for their trip to the 2005 UCI Cyclocross World Championships, January 29-30 in St. Wendel, Germany. The cost of being a member of the U.S. World Championship Cyclocross Team will exceed $3000 per person, none of which is funded by USA Cycling.

"Pure Sweet Hell" is a documentary created by Brian Vernor and Willie Bullion that explores the passion, pain and pleasure of cyclocross. Through creative cinematography and eclectic, original music, this hour-long film captures the essence of what makes cyclocross such a unique sport.

The evening will also feature a preview of the upcoming release "Transitions: An American Cyclocross Season," a documentary chronicling the 2004 U.S. racing season. What started as a class project for Fitchburg State College student Sam Smith is now in the process of becoming turned into a feature-length production.

Join host and nationally acclaimed race announcer Dave Towle and slew of Colorado cycling celebrities in helping to send the future stars of U.S. cyclocross to the World Championships. Every single cent of profit from the evening will go directly to help Brady Kappius and Adam McGrath pay for their trip to the 2005 UCI Cyclocross World Championships, January 29-30 in St. Wendel, Germany.

Tickets are $10 at the door. For venue info and directions visit: www.trilogywinebar.com

Webcor Builders Women roster announced

For the upcoming season, the Webcor Builders Women's team will once again be headlined by reigning US National TT Champion and Olympian, Christine Thorburn. In addition to the strong support of returning riders: Felicia Greer, Stefanie Graeter, Cat Malone, Betina Hold, Yukie Nakamura and Kim Boester, the team has added Katheryn Curi and Erinne Willock, both previously with RONA. Also returning from 2004 is team director and former National Criterium Champion, Carmen D'Aluisio.

"I don't think a lot of people realize just how strong Katheryn and Erinne are ­ they are capable of winning races in their own right, but rode in tireless support of their team leader all last year," said Webcor Builders manager and former World TT Champion, Karen Brems. "The team is much more balanced this year in terms of strength, and I think we have preserved the great chemistry that got us our results last year," Brems added. That chemistry was exhibited when the team got together in the San Francisco Bay Area for a weekend of low-key riding and a fun evening at the Webcor Builders Company Holiday Party.

In 2004, the Webcor Builders Women's team was a group of motivated, talented, but relatively inexperienced racers from Northern California. It was a first year team with a modest budget. Through dedication, learning and teamwork, the team achieved success beyond anyone's wildest expectations. Webcor Builders had 6 National Racing Calendar wins, several more national podium appearances and put a rider on the US Olympic team.

Dynaflo Racing/Technocycle BRC

Dynaflo Racing/Technocycle BRC, a USCF amateur team based out of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania has finalised its 2005 roster. 2004 was a very successful year, highlights included a stage win and 7th overall at the Men’s category 3 race at the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic Stage Race as well as two podium finishes and 5th and 7th overall at the Men’s category 3 race at the Tour de Toona, said team captain Nick Price.

The team has added a few new riders this season to hopefully make 2005 even more successful, including Brian Saylor (8th overall Men’s 40+ on the Pennsylvania Cycling Association), Evan Fader (Bethlehem Criterium Men’s Cat 4 winner and 2nd place Men’s Cat 3 Blue Bell), Jordan Drayton (Penn State University Cycling Club President and 2004 US Collegiate Team Pursuit Champion Member) and Jonathon Adomsky (Former podium finisher, Fitchburg Longsjo Classic Stage Race).

For the full 2005 roster, click here.

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