First Edition Cycling News for November 15, 2005

Edited by Anthony Tan & Les Clarke

Allan Peiper interview: Cycling, spirituality and the meaning of life

Meeting the man behind A Peiper's Tale

The cover of A Peiper's Tale.
Photo ©: John Flynn

At face value, A Peiper's Tale presents as an honest account of life inside the professional peloton. Taken from the perspective of a man who came from unconventional beginnings to ride as a domestique with the top-shelf pro teams including Peugeot and Panasonic in the 1980s, Allan Peiper speaks with candidness about the big issues in the sport: from doping to dodgy deals, team politics and, more recently, his role as a directeur-sportif with Davitamon-Lotto.

But it's fair to say this book is not 'just' about the bike. Peiper shows himself to be a person of depth and introspection, whose life journey from the back-blocks of rural Australia to Belgium and then the big-time reveals much about 'the human condition' and our personal spirituality. Cyclingnews' correspondent John-Michael Flynn enjoyed a coffee with him at the recent Noosa International Criterium, where he talked about cycling, life and the need to bare his soul to the world in print.

Dressed in a white linen shirt, the tanned and leathery skin of this 45 year-old former pro-cyclist could easily blend in with the alfresco atmosphere in Australia's sub-tropical holiday mecca of Noosa.

As I sit across the table sipping a cappuccino and listening intently, it's Peiper's piercing blue eyes (captured intelligently on the cover of his book), which give him away. For here is a man who could never make a living as a poker player, and his book tells us as much, by way of his frank and honest accounts of life as a pro cyclist.

But those eyes tell us yet more, for Peiper carries with him the scars of a troubled past, troubles which shaped his career and form the basis of what is an inspiring life story, put into print. He is, it must be said, a child of his generation. The ten years post-cycling have been spent on a journey of spirituality, where Peiper explored meditation, yoga, visited India twice, and sought solace in the dreaming country of Australia's Western Desert, in the search for meaning.

"I've done a lot of self reflection in the last years and going back to my youth I saw what made me so angry and saw what made me want to succeed to prove that I was worthy," Peiper recalls.

"The scary part is when you get to the end of your career; how do you put it in order and how do you live with the ghosts of the past? When you come to stop bike riding, that's when the rooster comes home."

Click here to read the rest of the story.

Tim Johnson interview: No regrets

In his five years on the pro circuit, Tim Johnson's been faced with a lot of tough choices. Tough choices inevitably call for tougher decisions, but as he enters a new year and a new team, he tells Anthony Tan there's no regrets.

Celebrating his first win of the cyclo-cross season
Photo ©: Breton Hornblower

12 months ago, Tim Johnson had a lot of reasons to say to hell with the bike. A less than satisfactory season over in Europe with Saunier Duval-Prodir was hard to take. Facing his peers back home was possibly even harder. Then that vocal, often brash though extremely gifted countryman of his, Chris Horner, went back across the Atlantic and did exactly what he wanted to do - and in the same team, goddamnit!

"I have a lot of respect for Chris, and he has done what every American dreams of," Johnson admits, "but there are absolutely no regrets. For me to go back to Europe, it's either going to be on a 'cross bike or a month-long trip with Health Net, and that's something we're planning on doing."

When the now 28 year-old signed for Jittery Joe's-Kalahari before the start of the year, a small, unassuming eleven man outfit based out of Athens, Georgia, many thought Johnson's cycling career had gone off the rails. However, his experience with this team directed by Micah Rice and principally sponsored by a company that makes coffee beans turned out to be the perfect shot of espresso.

Click here to read the rest of the story.

Van Dijk suspended

The Flemish anti-doping commission has suspended Mr Bookmaker rider Stefan van Dijk for one year for evading a doping control. Van Dijk was punished for driving away from a doping control bus that arrived at his home in Oud-Turnhout in June this year. Van Dijk was on holiday in Australia at the time he was notified..

Casero says 'adios' to home fans

Communidad Valenciana rider Juan Angel Casero has said goodbye to his home fans, riding the 16th edition of the Criterium Internacional de Ciclismo de la Comunidad Valenciana, his last race after announcing his retirement from professional cycling this year.

The Valencian cyclist, who won the Vuelta a España in 2001 appeared very touched by the occasion, greeting fans in a convertible and accompanied by his children. He thanked those present for the affection they showed him on the day and throughout his whole career. Casero also finished second at the 2000 Vuelta, was twice national road champion (1998/99) and also won the prologue in the Volta a Catalunya on two occasions.

Glud & Marstrand Horsens recruits two

Danish Continental Team Glud & Marstrand Horsens have signed two new Danish riders for the 2006 season. 26 year-old Morten Christiansen is back with the team after a forgettable season at Danish squad Team Designa Køkken, where he suffered from several injuries. Apart from 2005, Christiansen rode for Glud & Marstrand Horsens since his first year as a senior. In addition, Danish madison champion Michael Berling has signed for the team, transferring from Team Odense Energi.

RaceinEurope.com gives riders a chance

A German-based springboard programme, RaceinEurope.com is giving talented riders requiring support the chance to develop and to establish a profile as a rider in Europe. For 2006, the programme offers a limited number of positions to riders from all over the world who want to challenge themselves on the European racing circuit. The programme was founded by Nils Wartemann and Arne Hinrichsen, with Hinrichsen a rider in Jan Ullrich's Team Telekom development squad from 1996-2001.

Being a development programme, their philosophy is "From cyclists for cyclists". All participating riders cover themselves financially, with RaceinEurope.com's staff and supporters responsible for logistics such as race-nominations, transfers, accommodation, catering and monitoring riders. Team Manager Nils Wartemann believes the programme offers riders an opportunity outside the usual channels, saying, "We thought about all the strong talent out there who couldn't make it with the national teams or some other programme, but there are still many riders out there with the desire to prove their abilities whilst racing in Europe. So we developed the programme Race in Europe.com."

The website was launched to receive riders' applications from November 1; riders can check the terms and costs of their stay and apply for a position until January 8. Interested cyclists are welcome to check www.raceineurope.com (in English).

2006 Cape Epic awarded UCI status

Next year's Cape Epic in South Africa will be the first team mountain bike race to be awarded UCI status. Points will be shared between the two riders in the team in the same way that a road team would share points awarded in a team time trial. It is also the only MTB race in Africa to feature on the UCI calendar for 2006 and the second cycling race Africa to achieve this status, the other being the five-day Giro del Capo.

"This is doubly exciting for the race," said Cape Epic director, Kevin Vermaak. "We'll be getting more top riders from around the world coming to South Africa and it also gives South African riders the chance to earn points on their home turf before embarking upon a season of racing in Europe in the northern hemisphere summer. The World Cup riders that rode Cape Epic 2005 went on to do extremely well in the World Cup season and the Cape Epic is increasingly becoming the race that many riders are using to get their season off to a flying start."

The Cape Epic is working together with the UCI to formulate team mountain bike racing rules, as the Cape Epic is the first race with a two-person team format to feature in their rule book. A further advantage for the Cape Epic is that the race date will be set 18 months in advance to ensure a favourable position in the global mountain bike racing calendar. "Due to recent adjustments in the UCI calendar there is also no time clash with World Cup races in 2006 as the first Cross Country race takes place three weeks prior to the Cape Epic and the first Marathon World Cup one week after our event," explained Cape Epic media director Sonja Güldner-Hamel.

Diet Cheerwine to continue

In addition to their East Coast development team, US elite women's team Diet Cheerwine announced today that they will continue in 2006. Anne Bolyea, who started the Diet Cheerwine programme in 2002, spoke of the decision to continue: "With so many women's teams merging and dissipating this year, I felt the need to continue our elite programme for next year. We will be focusing on the NRC calendar including all of the major races on both the east and west coast. We will participate in the Women's Prestige Cycling Series and do as many races outside of the US as we can. We will work closely with the Victory Brewing team since I am involved with the sponsorship of both teams; but we are two separate entities."

Team management has gone through a very intense and unique selection process, and according to Bolyea "it has been the hardest two months I've had in a long while." She continued by saying "if I could only tell you how many superior racers have sent me their resumes and how many that still do not have a home, it would astound you. But, with new programmes coming in and the large number of riders on some of the existing teams, I was able to rest a bit easier."

As much as Bolyea would love to give every rider a home, she knows it's just not feasible. The focus of the elite team in 2006 is to have a happy, competitive and cohesive team. The team is comprised of mothers, models and Olympians, with all of the women on the team "truly amazing and are capable of winning any given race," according to Bloyea.

Bolyea also said that she was still in the process of finalising the roster. "We are still looking at a few riders, but we have signed letters of intent from most of the women we are bringing on. We have riders from last year's Quark, The Bicycle Store and Colavita teams. We have an equal balance of stage racers and sprinters and I am also bringing on two very strong, lesser-known riders that should see great results in the hilly races such as Altoona and Tri-Peaks." Diet Cheerwine plans to release the full rider roster and sponsor list in mid-December.

Emma Davies making excellent recovery

After been seriously injured in a hit and run incident while out training last month, top British track endurance cyclist Emma Davies is making excellent progress from what could have been a career-ending accident, and is determined to make next year's Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

"The severity of the injury was such that the possibility of being quadriplegic was quite a distinct possibility, but thanks to the superb initial treatment at Manchester Royal Infirmary led by Simon Carley, that threat was removed," said Davies.

"The biggest factor in my recovery has been a combination of my own mental strength and the incredible support I have received from both the world of cycling and the general public. I have received so many texts, emails and greeting cards and my parent's house resembles a branch of Interflora. I really want to thank everyone so much and I want to assure them all that I am leaving no stone unturned in my determination to be on the podium in Melbourne."

Discharged from hospital and already back on a static bike focusing on the process of rehabilitation, Davies will be attending the next Revolution Series on November 19 at Manchester Velodrome to say thank you for all the support she has received.

At Revolution 10, Davies will also be providing details of a new charity which she has set up to raise money for the Hope Spinal Unit. The charity is called Spinal Hope and all money raised will support the publicly funded unit. Spinal Hope wristbands will be on sale at Revolution 10 and Emma will also provide details of a special fundraising auction.

Following these announcements Emma will be able to sit back and watch her team-mates fight it out in the first ever women's endurance omnium. Nicole Cooke, Rachel Heal and Nikki Harris will be some of the star riders competing across three events to decide an ultimate winner.

Tickets for the Revolution 10 on 19th November are available at www.cyclingrevolution.com or by calling 07005 942 579 or the Velodrome on 0161 223 2244 and selecting option 3.

Downhillers prepare for next Oz MTB series

World champion silver medalists Sabrina Jonnier and Sam Hill have stepped up their training a notch in preparation for Round 2 of the National Mountain Bike Series Downhill at Nannup, Western Australia, this Sunday. 20 year-old Hill, from Glen Forest in Perth, has shown 24 year-old Jonnier from Hyeres, in southern France some of the training locations in and around Perth. "We just did our first cross country ride since world's," said Hill yesterday.

Jonnier has tried to relax after a busy season where she won the prestigious World Cup series. "I have just started easy training. After January it becomes more important," explained the young Frenchwoman, who will ride mainly in America next year. "I'm running and riding cross country and am also riding a small motor bike to work on my technique," she said.

Having started in BMX, and with that discipline being in the Beijing Olympics, Jonnier could have an opportunity to represent France if she does the qualifying races. Jonnier, however, dismissed the possibility: "I like downhill too much to go back to BMX."

After just missing out on a gold medal at the world championships to fellow countrywoman Anne-Caroline Chausson, Jonnier is determined to win next year. "I had a good run of 4.37 minutes but with a few mistakes," she said, adding, "I want to win the world's." The last time Jonnier won the world championships was as a junior in 1999.

Hill has similar aspirations to Jonnier after taking a bronze medal at the world championships in 2004 and narrowly missing gold this year to Frenchman Fabien Barel. He'll face junior world champion, Amiel Cavalier from Wollongong, who has recovered from a leg injury sustained in the first round in Tasmania last month. Close competition is also expected from Canberra's Jared Rando, who had the second fastest time to Hill in round one of the national series, which Hill currently leads. Perth-based downhiller Miikael Kinnunen is also expected to make an impression on the top placings.

Downhill riders start practice sessions on Thursday afternoon, with the track open for practice until qualification runs start at 10.30am on Sunday. Final runs for the under 19's, elite men and women will start at 2.30 pm. Cross country practice begins Thursday afternoon and Friday, with racing starting at 11.30am and the elite men starting at 3.45pm.

Poad and Mann favourites at Tour of Nanango

This weekend in Nanango, Queensland, the Tour of Nanango will be staged with a criterium on Saturday and the 90 kilometre Nanango Classic on Sunday. Event organisers are expecting a large turnout to support the event, which will see live bands, street markets and music lining the cycling circuit around Drayton Street.

On Saturday at 4pm, the locals will be the first to give the crowd a taste of what's to come when they battle it out for the local title of Nanango criterium champion. Just before 5pm, the professional cyclists will hit the circuit in what promises to be a display of pure speed, stamina and skill. New Zealander Jaaron Poad is the race favourite and is in dominating form after his win in the Noosa Criterium over the likes of Tour de France stars Robbie McEwen and Cadel Evans.

Queensland will be well represented by Luke Stockwell, former national club champion Tony Mann, who won last weekend's prestigious Giro di Brisbane, and Adrian Booth, who will be well supported by the Brisbane Healthworks team.

Heading the Sydney invaders will be veteran Eddie Salas, still one of Australia's finest cyclists who holds no less than 12 Australian titles spanning three decades. However, Salas may end up finding himself playing a support role to teammates Peter Milostic and Phillip Stokes. While Poad was saluting the crowd in Noosa last Saturday, Stokes was doing likewise after winning the Anthony Rappo Memorial Criterium in Sydney.

On Sunday at 8.30am, the Nanango Classic will go out through Brooklands before going through Maidenwell around 9.15am, where riders will contest a town sprint. The tour organiser believes the race will be decided on the climb out of Yarraman. "I expect the leading riders to hit Yarraman around 10.15am. The Yarraman climb is only 1km in length but has a real pinch towards the top where the stronger riders can cause some carnage," he said.

On Saturday night, there will be a function at the Nanango Darts Club where fans can meet the cyclists. The cyclists will test their dart throwing abilities against Nanango's finest darts players. For further information contact Chris on 0411 455 746.

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