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Giro finale
Photo ©: Bettini

First Edition Cycling News for October 26, 2005

Edited by John Stevenson & Les Clarke

An interview with Magnus Backstedt: Derny ambition

This Saturday, Magnus Backstedt turns his attention to the boards, where he will attempt to set a new world record for the Derny-paced hour.
Photo ©: Nick Rosenthal
Click for larger image

Later this week, Magnus Backstedt will tear around the Newport track in the slipstream of a Derny motorbike, attempting to set a new world record for the paced hour. He spoke to Cyclingnews' Shane Stokes about his preparations for the record attempt, withdrawing from the Tour and respecting the Vuelta, plus his two big goals for next year.

At 1.93 metres and 90 kilograms, Magnus Backstedt generates one of the highest power output figures in the peloton. The Swedish giant used that strength to race to victory in the 2004 Paris-Roubaix, to place second on stage 7 of this year's Tour de France and to take two other top ten placings in the same race. On Saturday October 29, he will apply that horsepower to another task; namely, to try to improve the 66.114 kilometre paced hour record set by Dutch rider Matthé Pronk last November.

Backstedt has had a varied season to date. He started off well, placing eighth in the Tour de Qatar, 12th in Gent-Wevelgem and 4th in Paris-Roubaix. However overtraining left him severely under par in the Dauphiné Libéré, and while he recovered somewhat to take those high stage finishes early on in the Tour, bronchitis took him out of the race. After recovering he rode the Surrey League Five Day event in the UK in order to prepare for the Vuelta. While he was unable to get close to a stage win in Spain, the days in the Vuelta plus his rides in the world championships and Paris-Tours have provided him with a solid base and fitness level which he hopes to build upon in acquiring the form necessary to beat Pronk's record.

As the final days tick down to the attempt, Backstedt has been working hard to make sure everything is right. "I have been spending a lot of time behind the Derny, trying to find the right gears to use and getting the technique and the confidence to be as close as I can to the motorbike," he told Cyclingnews in recent days. "There is also the whole team thing that you need to work on. The pacer needs to know exactly how I want him to drive, to find the best line for me... what I call the sweet spot on the track. It's where I feel most comfortable and also make the quickest lap times. We have spent a lot of time doing that."

Click here for the full interview.

De Cauwer acquitted

Former Belgian national coach Jose De Cauwer, recently appointed as youth coordinator for the Davitamon-Lotto team, has been acquitted of trading and possession of amphetamines.

The court in Antwerp yesterday ruled that allegations against De Cauwer had exceeded the statute of limitations and were otherwise unproven.

The accusations against De Cauwer came as part of an investigation into former amateur cyclist Ronny Vansweevelt, who was apprehended by police on October 31, 2000 after attempting to flee from a traffic accident. Police found amphetamines in Vansweevelt's possession, and he named several other cyclists as having been involved in supplying him.

The court handed chief suspect Marc Claus an eight-month suspended sentence after he was found guilty of 236 instances of supplying doping products, and criticized the fact that Claus is still the coach of a junior cycling team.

Vansweevelt said he had been using drugs since 1995 and named De Cauwer as one of those who supplied him. However, De Cauwer only admitted passing on a contact number to Vansweevelt. That person was responsible for supplying Vansweevelt. De Cauwer also admitted that his mail box had been used at least once to receive and collect amphetamines.

Health Net extends sponsorship for three years

After enjoying the most successful season ever by a domestic professional cycling team, Health Net and Momentum Sports Group have reached a three-year agreement to continue sponsorship of the Health Net Pro Cycling Team.

The three-year sponsorship deal includes two guaranteed years, with a pre-set option for a third year; the extension will put Health Net nearly two-thirds of the way through a 10-year sponsorship plan. The turbulence as professional cycling has seen in recent times, with sponsors coming and going, Health Net rider and team leader Mike Sayers sees the new deal as nothing but positive. "It's a big sign of commitment from a sponsor that's been good to cycling the last few years, and in particular, to the team's riders." Sayers said.

Another member of that core of veterans, Scott Moninger, echoed Sayers' thoughts. "It sends a great message that Health Net is committed as a sponsor for the long-term," he said. "At the same time, the riders are just as committed to Health Net, and I think the results for the 2005 season demonstrate that." Moninger, a 15-year pro who has seen his share of teams - and careers - end due to loss of sponsorship, added that, "It's nice to know that I'll be able to leave the sport with the team intact for up and coming riders like Mike Jones and Doug Ollerenshaw."

Maxxis will continue as presenting sponsor, with the complete schedule of technical sponsors remaining on board.

Bruylandts returns

Dave Bruylandts will return to the peloton in April next year after serving an eighteen months suspension, so he's started looking for a ride. He already has the choice of three potential employers, including the continental team where ex-racer Jo Planckaert - who is serving a four year suspension - is a public relations officer.

Interested parties Champion Systems (an attire factory) and car manufacturer Hyundai say they have a budget of 400,000 Euros for a top-level rider, and have been in talks with the 29-year-old Belgian. Bruylandts confirmed he has been in negotiations with teams, saying "I have indeed spoken with them. I'll see what is best for me, because there are also two other - larger - teams who are interested." Bruylandts also said he has continued training during the time of his suspension, even last winter, trying to live as a racer would.

Gates off with broken ankle

By John Trevorrow

Australian Davitamon - Lotto rider Nick Gates has broken his left ankle in an off season training accident. Gates was doing some cross training last Wednesday, when he stepped into a hole and fractured the ankle. He is now in a fibreglass cast up to his knee and will remain so for six weeks.

"At first I thought it was just torn ligaments," Gates said. "They X-rayed it and didn't pick up the break. By the end of the week it was getting worse. I went back and saw another doctor. I said, 'Listen doc you better take another look at this.' And he said, 'How did they miss this, the end of the talus bone is broken off!'"

Gates will be out of action for a month and a half. "It's going to be six weeks in plaster up to my knee," he said. "It comes off second week in December. It will certainly slow down my early season preparation, but that mightn't be all bad. You've got to stay positive."

Muenzer takes a break

Canadian track star Lori-Ann Muenzer, sprint gold medalist at the Athens Olympic games, says she is taking a year off from cycling because she can't attract enough funding to support herself while training.

"How do you do it as an elite athlete when there hasn't been a lot of support?" Muenzer told The Canadian Press. "As an Olympic athlete you make $16,000 gross per year. I have no RSPs. I have no portfolio. I'm 39 years old and it is really time I started thinking about it."

Muenzer plans to spend her year off working on the development of Pure Momentum Inc., a company of female motivational speakers; and promoting her biography which will be published this Spring.

She says she is not bitter at the lack of sponsorship, but believes things would be different if she rode for the US or a European country where a gold medal can put your picture on a cereal box or lead to lucrative endorsements. "You think that when you win a gold medal that your world is going to change, that you are going to have to open a couple of bank accounts," she said.

Steve Lacelle, chief operating officer of the Canadian Cycling Association, said his organisation had been lobbying Sport Canada for extra funding for elite athletes and hoped for a boost in the Spring federal budget. Muenzer's sabbatical was "a blow," he said. "She is a gold medallist. We are working at getting additional funding so we can prevent these situations from happening."

However, Muenzer expects to return, as she did after riding off a cliff in 1999 and suffering a burst appendix in 2002. "Every time I have come back smarter, faster, stronger," she said.

"In 365 days I will be certain about what the next step is. And if I'm going, I'm going full-steam forward. And all I'm going to say is, 'Look out world, here I come again."'

Hijgenaar renews

Yvonne Hijgenaar has renewed her contract with the Therme Skincare team. The rider from North Holland is targeting the World Cup and world championships in 2006.

Hijgenaar will be joined by Nathalie van Katwijk and Irene van den Broek, the latter renewing after two years with the team.

US track team for Moscow

USA Cycling has named a seven-rider team for the first round of the 2005-6 Track World Cup series, which takes place in Moscow, Russia, November 4-6.

The trip will be the first international outing for USA Cycling's new head track coach, Australian Gary West and the team are reported to be excited at the prospect of being guided by West. A 1984 Olympian, West coached the Australian sprint squad that earned a silver medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and captured four medals at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. He then spent four years as head track coach and technical director of the Japanese Cycling Federation, before joining USA Cycling in March of this year.

"World Cups are the highest of all UCI races, so the significance of the points is huge," said USA Cycling director of track cycling Pat McDonough. "We need to have top performances to qualify for positions in the World Championships."

USA World Cup Team

Erin Mirabella (pursuit and points race)
Stephen Alfred (sprint, keirin)
Michael Blatchford (sprint, team sprint)
Christian Stahl (1km time trial, team sprint)
Ryan Nelman (sprint, team sprint)
Colby Pearce (points race, Madison)
Chad Hartley (scratch race, Madison)

New Zealand team for Moscow

The first round of the track world cup takes place November 4-6 in Moscow, with the New Zealand squad finalised and leaving for Russia later today. The team comprises: Justin Grace (Auckland), David Cresswell (Canterbury), Nathan Seddon (Otago), Daniel Beatson (Otago), Katri Laike (Otago), Terry Gyde and William Rastrick (coaches)

Cannondale and Vredestein hit the dirt

Bike manufacturer Cannondale, sponsor of the dominant mountain bike racing team of the 1990s, has announced that it is returning to the World Cup cross-country circuit in 2006 with a new squad in partnership with tyre maker Vredestein.

The four-rider team features two familiar faces and two up-and-coming talents. Swede Fredrik Kessiakoff, who rode for the Siemens/Cannondale team in 2005 remains aboard a Cannondale. Kessiakoff was fourth in the World Cup rankings this year and eighth in the Marathon series after winning the final round.

New Zealander Kashi Leuchs returns to Cannondale for 2006, and will be targeting the World Cup and the 2006 World Championships in his native New Zealand. "I'm excited to return to the Cannondale family and also to be able to contribute to a racer support program like the one I started with," said Leuchs, referring to Cannondale Europe's plans to launch a grassroots program in 2006.

Two Danish riders complete the roster. Peter Riis Anderson is currently 12th in the UCI world rankings, and finished fourth at the Marathon World Championships. His compatriot Jakob Fuglsang is the reigning under 23 World Cup champion and currently the top rider in the UCI under 23 ranking.

Life's a beach at Curaçao world cup

On April 1 next year the first round of the UCI mountain bike world cup will kick off on idyllic Mambo Beach, Curaçao. With mountain biking still looking to portray a funky image, this Dutch island in the Caribbean looks to be an ideal location to 'ease' competitors into the season while still providing very challenging racing.

Dutch rider Bart Brentjens thinks the location is a good one, having last year spoken about the idea with organiser Leo van Vliet. "The exposure this event alone will have here is good for promoting the sport overall," he said.

"Curaçao can be seen as an active island", said van Vliet at a recent press conference. "I saw that three years ago when I organised the Amstel Curaçao Race. One of our first guests was Bart Brentjens, who was extremely enthusiastic about the sport's entry in the region." Van Vliet believes that "There is enough climbing and rocky sections to call it a technical parcours. The finish on the beach is unique; that's something never done before in the mountain bike world cup."

The Curaçao opener is also the first opportunity to earn points for 2008 Olympic Games qualification. Therefore, it's hoped the world's best riders will make it for the first round in the Caribbean. "The heat will become a big factor in terms of exhaustion", said Brentjens. "In April the temperature in Curaçao reaches above 30 degrees Celsius. That adds an extra bit of adversity to competing there."

U.S. Gran Prix of 'Cross heads to Gloucester

Known throughout the Northeast as 'New England world's,' the October 29-30 double treat of the Michelob ULTRA Grand Prix of Cyclocross races at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, Mass., marks the East Coast debut of the 2005 Crank Brothers US Gran Prix of Cyclocross. The traditional seaside venue, long one of the highlights of New England circuit, attracts riders from all over North America with its guarantee of big crowds, fast racing, and a grab bag of weather conditions. Whether soaked in late October sun or blasted by ocean-driven rain, Gloucester's sweeping sandy race course never fails to foster back-and-forth racing with thrilling sprint finishes.

Coming into the Gloucester weekend elite men's and women's leaders Ryan Trebon (Kona) and Lyne Bessette (Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau) carry some great form and momentum into the event. Bessette has yet to finish off the top step of the podium this year; her winning streak stands at six coming into this race, and Trebon won the UCI Cat 1 Wooden Wheels Cyclocross in Granogue last weekend, finishing second the following day in Philadelphia. The return of local hero and two-time Gloucester winner, Tim Johnson (Cyclocrossworld.com-Louis Garneau) to the seaside course remains one of the weekend's highlights for New England 'cross fans.

Johnson will be joined in the Elite Men's race by local contenders Mark McCormack and Jesse Anthony (Team Clif Bar), Adam Craig (Giant), and out-of-towners Barry Wicks (Kona), Ben Jacques-Maynes (Kodak Gallery-Sierra Nevada), and Belgium's Sten Raeymakers. Bessette will face the blue-and-pink Velo Bella machine led by Barbara Howe, along with Christine Vardaros, Melodie Metzger, and Sarah Kerlin. Rising star Georgia Gould (Kona) and local Massachusetts talent Maureen Bruno Roy (Independent Fabrication) will also figure prominently in the Elite Women's mix.

"We're really excited to once again host the third and fourth stops of the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross", said Paul Boudreau, promoter of the Gloucester events. There will be a host of events to supplement the racing, including a post-race Michelob ULTRA party at the Rhumbline in Gloucester, the New England debut of the cyclo-cross film "puresweethell" and the ECV Kids Race, which will be run promptly at 1:00 pm in the upper infield of the Stage Fort Park course. For more information, go to www.gpgloucester.com

Delta Velo looking for riders

Delta Velo (www.deltavelo.com), who claim to be the largest competitive cycling team in San Joaquin County, with members in the Motherlode and other Central Valley cities, is looking for two more category 1 road riders for the 2006 season. The team hopes to have a six-rider roster to compete in most of the Northern California races and selected NRC races. Please send resumes or questions regarding the team to Keith Szolusha at szolusha@gmail.com.

Coffs adds open to Australian track season

The Australian track season starts this weekend at Musselbrook, and the program includes a new open event at the new velodrome at Toormina near Coffs Harbour on November 12.

With $5000 in prizemoney on offer, the carnival is open to all categories and includes a $2000 open 2000m wheel race. Racing starts at 5pm, and nominations (to Cycling NSW) close October 28.

The following day, November 13, the venue will host a morning of criteriums, starting at 8.30 am, with races for all junior categories from under 9 and up, and open divisions.

For more information contact Terry McLean at tmclean@hot.net.au.

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