First Edition Cycling News for October 21, 2005

Edited by Jeff Jones and Hedwig Kröner

Meares recovering well after accident

By Les Clarke

World record holder and Olympic gold medallist Anna Meares has recovered well after an encounter with a hay truck. Riding back from a velodrome session, Meares had to swerve off the road to avoid being swept into the truck's draft. After hitting some loose gravel she went over on her side, injuring her hand, buttocks and knee, which required stiches. "I was a bit sore for a couple of days afterwards, but I'm okay now," Meares said. "I'll get the stitches out on Monday which will be good, because they've hindered my pedalling a little bit."

After the accident, Meares was a little shocked that motorists failed to stop and assist her, eventually receiving help from a passing car. "They saw me on sitting on the side of the road but nobody stopped," said Meares. The 500 m time trial champion at last year's Athens Olympics has also been recovering from a back injury that flared up in July after some days of heavy training. "I've had the injury for about 2-4 years, but because I'm fit and active and rely on bending my back, we had to treat it," explained Meares.

Due to the injury, Meares won't be riding the Moscow round of the World Cup in early November, instead opening her season with the Sydney Thousand on November 27. "Sydney will be a good hitout to see how much gas is in the tank at this stage," she continued. "Then it's straight to the Oceania Games and onto the Manchester round of the World Cup." And in May 2006, wedding bells will ring for Meares when she marry partner Mark in her home town of Rockhampton. "It'll probably end up being big - but more of a party, really," Meares concluded.

Verbruggen tries to placate Chinese over track event cull

By Carlton Reid, BikeBiz.com

The former president of the UCI, Hein Verbruggen, has told the Chinese cycling association that removing the men's kilometre and women's 500 metre time trials from the Beijing Olympics was "a good decision, even for China." The kilo had been in the modern Olympics since they were re-started in 1896, while the 500m was only introduced in 2000, but both were removed to make way for the BMX events in Beijing.

Verbruggen made his comments at the 10th Chinese National Games in China. The Xinhua news agency reports that the Chinese cycling association is still bitter at the UCI's decision. Verbruggen finds this bitterness misplaced: "That was a good decision, even for China," he said. "How many Olympic gold medals has China won in the women's 500 meters and the men's one-kilometre time trial? None.

"Actually it is in some way a good decision for China. You have now BMX developing very rapidly, and the world championship will be held in Taiwan next year, and I see the level of BMX here at the National Games is really high, you got beautiful facilities and you still get other chances too," said Verbruggen.

"For the sprint, Guo Shuang, and other young cyclists also made remarkable progress during the past several months, and they are all young. There are many opportunities for China to take a gold at home in 2008."

The 19-year Guo took her first National Games cycling gold after winning the women's individual sprint race last Saturday.

In June, the UCI was handed a BikeBiz-created petition of nearly 11,000 names, including cycle stars past and present, and luminaries such as Phil Liggett. Pat McQuaid, the current UCI president - then the president elect - accepted the hand-delivered petition at the UCI's HQ in Aigle, Switzerland, but said the UCI would not change its mind.

He said the culling of the two events was "a catastrophe for Chinese cycling." In June, McQuaid told BikeBiz.com, "Two weeks ago I was at a meal in China and was with the president of the Chinese cycle federation on one side and a translator on the other. I had a 45 minute ear bending. He'd somehow got wind that it was likely the 500m would be chosen. He was very angry. The Beijing Olympic committee is mad, too. But in a country of one billion people, they've got to be able to field cyclists in other disciplines, they need strength in depth, not just one event."

CPA calls for shortening of stage races

At the General Meeting of the Professional Cycling Council (CPA) in Conegliano Veneto, Italy, on October 17, 2005, the representatives of the professional riders have expressed being in favour of cutting down the duration of stage races in order to allow for better recovery of the athletes. Complaining about too many days of competition, the riders have declared an average of 80-85 days of racing per year physically bearable and thus possible. Limiting the number of participants per team to remedy the situation was not an issue at the meeting.

Amongst further topics dicussed was the safety of the race itineraries, where the CPA asked for penalties to be imposed on race organisers when they disrespected the safety requirements. In that respect, the riders would also like to be represented during the reconnoitering and the establishing of the race parcours.

The members of the CPA also recommended the medical visit of the riders before the Grand Tours to take place on the day prior to the start of the race. Finally, the riders drew rather positive conclusions from the first season of the ProTour: according to the CPA, the level of the races included in the calendar is higher than it was in the past.

Lampre-Caffita in action

The Lampre-Caffita team is winding down for the season, but two of its athletes will ride in the 20th Firenze-Pistoia on Saturday: Oleksander Kvachuk and Sylwester Szmyd. The race is a 33 km time trial and is classed as a UCI 1.1 event.

On Friday, Lampre's Gilberto Simoni will be at 'Milano Fiera' for the SIC, the exhibition that brings together all the operators who are working in the global coffee business. The exhibition will start in Milano on October 21 and end on October 25. Simoni will be present for the inauguration on Friday, at the 'Caffita System' place (address: 10 D 63) from 1 to 3 p.m.

Liquigas complete for 2006

Italian ProTeam Liquigas-Bianchi has announced its rider roster complete for the 2006 season. The squad directed by Dario Mariuzzo, Mario Scirea and Stefano Zanatta, as well as Mario Chiesa next season, will count 28 riders from eight different countries. There have been ten new signings to the team, four of which are neo-pros. Here's the updated team structure (newcomers highlighted in bold, neo-professionals in italics):

Michael Albasini (Swi), Dario Andriotto (Ita), Magnus Backstedt (Swe), Patrick Calcagni (Swi), Eros Capecchi (Ita), Kjell Carlström (Fin), Dario David Cioni (Ita), Daniele Colli (Ita), Alberto Curtolo (Ita), Mauro Da Dalto (Ita), Danilo Di Luca (Ita), Francesco Failli (Ita), Stefano Garzelli (Ita), Enrico Gasparotto (Ita), Roman Kreuziger (Cze) , Nicola Loda (Ita), Vladimir Miholjevic (Cro), Marco Milesi (Ita), Matej Mugerli (Slo), Vincenzo Nibali (Ita), Andrea Noè (Ita), Luca Paolini (Ita), Franco Pellizotti (Ita), Manuel Quinziato (Ita), Marco Righetto (Ita), Alessandro Spezialetti (Ita), Charles Wegelius (Gbr), Stefano Zanini (Ita).

"We will face 2006 with a strengthened team without changing its true nature," General Manager Roberto Amadio said. "I believe there will not be any further new acquisitions: we will bet on young riders in their first year as pros."

The first training camp of the new Liquigas team will take place from November 28-December 2, 2005, in Salsomaggiore Terme in Italy.

Quick.Step with 30 for next season

The Belgian Quick.Step team will undergo a big revamp for next season, losing over half of its current line-up and expanding its roster to 30 riders (from 27). The two key men, Tom Boonen and Paolo Bettini, will remain with Patrick Lefevere's team, while Belgian champion Serge Baguet, Dutch sprinter Steven de Jongh, Venezuelan climbing genius Jose Rujano, and talented Belgian Kevin Van Impe will be among those joining. Michael Rogers, Rik Verbrugghe and Luca Paolini will leave the squad.

"It's right that I'm fully backing my two top men," Lefevere said in an interview with Het Nieuwsblad. "Whether that's risky? Even if Tom should drop out, the team still has to perform." With existing talent Filippo Pozzato and Nick Nuyens along with the big name newcomers, this shouldn't be a problem for Quick.Step.

Team roster (newcomers highlighted in bold, neo-professionals in italics):

Serge Baguet (Bel, Davitamon-Lotto), Paolo Bettini (Ita), Tom Boonen (Bel), Davide Bramati (Ita), Francesco Chicchi (Ita, Fassa Bortolo), Wilfried Cretskens (Bel), Steven De Jongh (Ned, Rabobank), Kevin De Weert (Bel), Addy Engels (Ned), Juan Manuel Garate (Spa, Saunier Duval), Josè Antonio Garrido (Spa), Kevin Hulsmans (Bel), Servais Knaven (Ned), Nick Nuyens (Bel), Filippo Pozzato (Ita), Sebastian Rosseler (Bel), Jose Rujano (Ven, Selle Italia), Ivan Santaromita (Ita, Velo Club Mendrisio), Leonardo Scarselli (Ita, Selle Italia), Hubert Schwab (Swi, Saeco-Romer’s), Bram Tankink (Ned), Matteo Tossato (Ita, Fassa Bortolo), Guido Trenti (USA), Jurgen Van de Walle (Landbouwkrediet-Colnago), Kevin Van Impe (Chocolade Jacques-T-Interim), Cedric Vasseur (Cofidis), Gert Verheyen (Landbouwkrediet-Colnago), Davide Vigano (Ita), Wouter Weylandt (Bel), Remmert Wielinga (Ned, Rabobank).

Leaving: Mads Christensen (Den, Barloworld), Dmitri De Fauw (Chocolade Jacques-T-Interim), Juan Miguel Mercado (Spa, Agritubel), Cristian Moreni (Ita, Cofidis), Luca Paolini (Ita, Liquigas-Bianchi), Juan Antonio Pecharroman (Spa, Comunidad Valenciana), Michael Rogers (Aus, T-Mobile), Patrik Sinkewitz (Ger, T-Mobile), Jurgen Van Goolen (Bel, Discovery Channel), Rik Verbrugghe (Bel, Cofidis), Stefano Zanini (Ita, Liquigas-Bianchi).

Notes:

Venezuelan rider José Rujano will join Quick Step-Innergetic at the end of the 2006 Giro d'Italia

Ukrainian Dmytro Grabovskyy has signed a contract with Quick Step-Innergetic cycling team for the next three seasons, but the Under 23 World Champion will remain among the Under 23s for another year (2006) with Finauto-Quick Step, the Italian Team managed by the former pro Luca Scinto. Grabovskyy will join Quick Step-Innergetic team in the 2007 season.

Davide Bramati will ride with the team until the end of the 2006 Giro d'Italia and then he will become Directeur Sportif with the Quick Step-Innergetic Cycling Team.

The Directeurs Sportifs for the next season are: Wilfried Peeters, Serge Parsani, Luca Guercilena, Rik Van Slycke. Bramati after 2006 Giro d'Italia.

Quick.Step-Innergetic won 37 UCI races in 2005.

Mazzanti extends

Italian Luca Mazzanti has extended his contract with the Panaria-Navigare team for another season, meaning that he will ride with the Continental Professional team until the end of 2007. Mazzanti has been a pro since 1997 and has won 10 races, including a stage in the Giro d'Italia this year. His team was ranked as the best Continental Pro team on the European circuit in 2005.

Symmetrics sign Randell and Crichton

In keeping with Symmetrics Cycling’s mandate to develop Canadian cycling talent on an all Canadian team, Andrew Randell (Jet Fuel) and Brandon Crichton (Ital Pasta/Belmire Transport) have been signed for the 2006 season.

Randell, of Toronto, Ontario, has been a staple on the international scene, winning stages in the the Tour of Ireland and Norway’s GP Ringerike. He is also a former Canadian Road Race Champion and has honed his skills as a climber, time trialist, and sprinter.

"Seeing the Symmetrics team in action at the Tour de Beauce this summer, I was immediately attracted by the idea of riding for them," Randall commented. "The team was impressive in their racing but also in the personal dynamic within the team. I am excited by the prospect of returning to my peak form of previous years and continuing to progress in my abilities as a rider."

Crichton, a Hamilton resident, raced for Ital Pasta/Belmire Transport this past season and became one of the top Espoir riders in North America in 2005, although he had to take most of 2004 off due to injury. Crichton achieved results such as the Best Young Rider jersey at the 2005 Bell Tour de Beauce, stage two victory at the Tour de la Porte Oceane (France), and second in stage two of the 2005 Tour de White Rock.

Randell’s experience and leadership will augment a strong core group of riders, and the addition of Crichton furthers Symmetrics’ commitment to provide the best possible development opportunities for Canada’s top young riders.

Kemna to direct Skil-Shimano

The recently retired Rudie Kemna will continue with his current team in the capacity of a sports director next season. The 38 year-old Kemna has reached an agreement with the Skil-Shimano team to act as a director, together with Piet Hoekstra and Hisafumi Imanishi. "Becoming a sports director means the start of a new career, and I definitely want to prove myself in this professional as well," said Kemna. "I consider it a big challenge to work with the riders on an individual basis to improve their level and make the selection of riders function as a united and successful team at the same time."

Kemna will officially debut as DS in 2006, but his job starts already as he is closely involved in the selection of riders for the coming season.

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