First Edition Cycling News for January 19, 2005

Edited by Hedwig Kröner

Leblanc impressed with Aussie spirit

Tour de France director Jean-Marie Leblanc, currently in Australia following the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under, spoke about his impressions of the JCTDU and his respect for Australian riders to the AFP newsagency. The former professional cyclist and journalist is now the organiser of the greatest stage race of European cycling, but continues to observe the management of other competitions.

"It's strange of course," said the Frenchman about Australia. "Vast spaces and sun in January. It's a perfect place to start the season for European teams. I actually wonder why there aren't more top European riders who choose this kind of preparation." Leblanc, who will step down from his position at the end of 2006, also thinks that Australian pros have a different attitude to their European colleagues.

"Australian riders have this special frame of mind, like warriors or adventurers," he said. "In France, we have the right structures to support young talents, and we give them lots of money and protect them because there are so few right now. The Aussies come to Europe with two pieces of luggage and a bike; they're like pioneers. They try to make a living, a career, so they're tough on themselves, and tough towards others. They're fighters, that's why they're so successful."

Asked if European riders could learn something from their Australian mates, the Tour de France boss replied, "Not on a tactical level. European cycling is superior on technical, tactical and athletic level. But here the spirit of battle is greater - in Europe, it's more comfortable, not only in cycling."

Jean-Marie Leblanc believes in the possibility of an Australian Tour de France podium placing in the coming years. "A young rider like Michael Rogers, who knows how to climb, who's good at time trialling and part of a very professional team with regard to tactics, material and preparation could achieve the Tour podium in two or three years. I'm pretty certain about that."

Illes Balears to training camp

Spanish ProTeam Illes Balears will head to a training camp in Mallorca from January 24-February 4. Directed by Eusebio Unzue and José-Miguel Echavarri, Illes Balears includes Alejandro Valverde as well as Vladimir Karpets, Unaï Osa and Spanish champion Francisco Mancebo for the coming season.

"Mancebo will be the team's leader at both Tour de France and Vuelta," said Unzue on the island of Mallorca last week. "Valverde's major objectives are the spring classics in April, but he will also race the Tour. Osa and Horrach will participate in the Giro d'Italia." Illes Balears' team roster includes Alejandro Valverde, "Chente" García Acosta, Daniel Becke, Iván Gutiérrez, Francisco Mancebo, Vladimir Karpets, Aitor Osa, Unai Osa, Mikel Pradera, Toni Tauler, Joan Horrach, Xabier Zandio and Toni Colom.

Cross World's: Urban out

Malte Urban (Stevens) has called off his participation in the upcoming Cyclo-Cross World Championships in St. Wendel, Germany. Urban has been suffering from a vein infection in his left leg for several weeks now, and is unable to train at the moment, according to German Radsportnews.com. The former Coast rider did not finish the German Championships and has been forced to cancel races lately.

"I'm unable to train without feeling pain for one month," Urban stated in a press release. "The right preparation and health until the World's are just not possible anymore." While the rider is disappointed at the prospect of not being able to compete, he hopes another German will take his ticket to St. Wendel.

Leontien van Moorsel presents team

On Tuesday, January 18, former pro Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel presented her new women's road team Ton van Bemmelen-AA Drink. With the help of manager and husband Michael Zijlaard as well as team directors Ingrid Haringa and Leen Merison, the Olympic champion will guide a team of young Dutch talents.

"I find it fantastic. We've all been training together and that's been very pleasing," she said, joking, "Luckily all the pressure is gone off my shoulders; now it's on the girls!"

Click here for the team roster

Berden likely to lose medal

After admitting having taken EPO in December, Belgian cyclo-crosser Ben Berden will most likely lose his bronze medal from the Belgian cyclo-cross championships. The Belgian Cycling federation considers that the intake of the forbidden substance before December 18 (Essen cyclo-cross race) would have performance-enhancing effects in January, too, even though the doping control performed on Berden on January 9, the day of the Belgian Championships, was negative. Therefore, although the disciplinary commission has not taken an official decision yet, Berden will most likely have to return his medal.

Hofbräu-Six Days in Stuttgart

With one night of intense Six Day racing to go in Bremen, Germany, another track event lies ahead: the Hofbräu-Six Days in the Southern German city of Stuttgart will start on Thursday, January 20. Because of several crashes in the Bremen velodrome, some riders may have to skip the event - certainly Matthew Gilmore, whose Belgian doctors have now firmly ruled out his participation in Stuttgart. Gilmore will be replaced by 26 year-old Jimmy Hansen.

Featuring 13 three-man-teams and eight sprinters, the 22nd Stuttgart Six Day will also feature a changed Derny competition with twelve riders. Favourites for the overall classification are Bruno Risi/Kurt Betschart/Franco Marvulli. In the sprint competition, Olympic champion Jens Fiedler will try to beat French Florian Rousseau. Fiedler will be keen to win, as he is approaching the end of his career - his last appearance is planned at the Berlin Six from January 22-27.

Samsung-New Zealand team announced

A top New Zealand team to compete in next week’s Trust House Cycle Classic has been confirmed. The Samsung-New Zealand team will be headed by 2002 tour winner and member of the Athens Olympic road team, Robin Reid, who races internationally for the Marco Polo team. Reid will be hoping to put last year’s tour disappointment behind him. He finished runner-up by just ten seconds to Canadian Eric Wohlberg.

Reid’s four teammates have been members of the New Zealand Olympic and World Cup squads over the last two years: current New Zealand Under 23 Time Trial champion Peter Latham, Tim Gudsell, Marc Ryan and Jason Allen.

"In last year’s tour, the Samsung team won stage one and team member Tim Gudsell took the first yellow jersey as tour leader. Don't be surprised if the Samsung-New Zealand team provide the mystery element this year, as a team with experience behind them they are certain to be dangerous opposition," said race director Jorge Sandoval.

For more information please visit www.cycletournz.com

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