First Edition Cycling News for December 26, 2006Edited by Laura Weislo, Steve Medcroft and Hedwig Kroner Wellens takes a winBelgian cyclo-crosser Bart Wellens has scored his fourth win this season on Sunday, December 24 at the International Cyclo-Cross in Veghel-Eerde, the Netherlands. The Fidea leader was able to solo through to the finish after Lars Boom had problems with his chain. Team manager Hans Van Kasteren was especially happy about Wellen's victory, as the race was carried out in his (Karsteren's) home town. Thijs Al (Bejan-Rings) took second, as Wellens' teammate Petr Dlask placed third. The all-dominating Belgian Sven Nys did not participate in the C2 event. Tour of South China Sea beginsBy Steve Thomas
You could be forgiven for thinking that Christmas in China was an escape from the usual Santa suits and Christmas carols, but no, Christmas Eve in Hong Kong was overflowing, not just with festive tourists, but with the entire field who were about to line up for the 11th Tour of South China Sea, a six day stage race based around Hong Kong and the surrounding mainland Special Economic Zones. Most of the stages will be relatively flat and on city based courses, kermese, and critirium style circuits, and they will average somewhere around 100 kilometres each, with just one final hilly day or racing around the old Portuguese colony of Macau. The race usually attracts a quality field of continental and regional national teams. In recent years, the sprinters have taken the lions share of the honours, although hanging on for the overall, with the traditional hilly end usually leads to an all-rounder squeezing home by just a few seconds. In recent years, home-based Wong Kam Po has often reigned supreme, a great and talented all-rounder who has just crowned his 2006 season with his second Asian Games road race title, so it would be fair to assume he's in good form for his home race. That said, last year he had to give best to his Pocari Sweat Hong Kong team mate Wu Kin San. Add in Cheung King Wai to the team equation (he recently won the points race at the Asian Games), and you have a pretty formidable home-based team, perhaps the strongest in the race. Tassie Carnivals kick off in RoseberryBy Rod Morris in Rosebery Devonport rider John Rayner continued his good early season form with victory in the 50th annual Rosebery Wheelrace at the weekend.The revamped Rosebery Carnival went ahead in glorious sunshine, setting the scene for an exciting week of cycling action at the time-honoured Tasmanian Christmas Carnivals. Rayner won the PCCCT Wheelrace at the season-opening carnival in November and won the 1000m lightning handicap at George Town in early December before taking his excellent form to Tasmania’s West Coast. Rayner’s win in the $1000 handicap wheelrace also elevated him to the lead on Tasmania’s Order-of-Merit prize money table with some rich pickings now just around the corner. For full results from the Roseberry Wheelrace and the full Tassie Carnivals schedule here. Mouris replaces Schep in Zürich Sixday
The Zürich Six day kicks off this week, but will do so without Peter Schep. Dutchman Jens Mouris will take the place of Schep to pair up with his compatriot Danny Stam at the Zürich six day, beginning this Thursday in Switzerland. Schep, who teamed up with Stam last month at the track celebrations, is still recovering from a viral infection and had to withdraw from the event. The points race world champion wants to be back in the business in Rotterdam from January 4-9, according to Belgian news agency Belga. Once again, Stam has to get used to a new partner this six day season. His long-time partner Robert Slippens is still recovering from a bad crash in the end of August, at one-day race Schaal Sels in Merksem, Belgium. Kodak Galley goes green for 2007
The Kodak Gallery Pro Cycling Team presented by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. will offset 100 percent of team generated carbon pollution with renewable energy in 2007; The team has purchased 460,600 kWh of wind credits from Renewable Choice Energy, a leading national provider and marketer of wind power. "No one understands the direct impact of carbon pollution better than cyclists who train everyday on our nation's roads," said team marketing director, Rob O'Dea. "We're glad to have a chance to offset the pollution we create by supporting the development of clean, renewable wind power," O'Dea added. The team's purchase includes enough renewable energy credits (RECs) to offset 100 percent of the home electricity consumption of each of its athletes and management, as well as all of the team's travel emissions. Credits have also been purchased to offset all of the pollution generated by team vehicles operating in support of nearly 120 days of domestic bicycle racing in 2007. The team's purchase of wind energy credits has the same impact as planting 8,460 trees, not driving 669,950 miles, or preventing the burning of 344,340 pounds of coal, according to statistics provided by the U.S. Department of Energy. Environmental stewardship is nothing new to the team's presenting sponsor, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., which has one of the largest and most advanced hydrogen fuel cell installations in the United States. "We're proud of the leadership position the team has taken on this important issue and sincerely hope others will follow," said Sierra Nevada founder and owner, Ken Grossman. The team announced its purchase on the heels of its fall training camp and just weeks before the beginning of the 2007 racing season. The Kodak Gallery Pro Cycling Team, presented by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., competes domestically under the auspices of USA Cycling. For a complete schedule of team races, visit http://www.kgsncycling.com. "We're thrilled that the Kodak Gallery Pro Cycling Team has taken this step," said Quayle Hodek, CEO and president of Renewable Choice Energy. "We hope that other sports teams follow their lead and make the choice to move beyond fossil fuels and support clean renewable energy," he added. US riders take on European 'cross sceneFresh from US Cyclocross Nationals, sixteen American riders are now in Belgium attending US cyclo-cross national coach Geoff Proctor's Euro 'Cross Camp IV. The Junior, U23 and Elite men's riders will compete in races from December 23, 2006, to January 3, 2007. Proctor started the program in 2003 and runs the camps during his winter vacation from his job teaching high school in Montana. This is the fourth year that top US riders will be given this opportunity to gain valuable 'cross racing experience in Europe and to prepare for the world championships in late January. Coach Proctor and his riders are taking turns contributing diary entries to Cyclingnews during the camp. Catch up with them here: 2006 Euro Cross Camp diary entries
New cycling facility for BritainBritish cyclists may get a new cycling facility if all goes well. British Cycling hopes to operate an interim cycling facility at the Royal Docks during 2007, with the support of the London Development Agency (LDA). The Royal Docks planning application was submitted earlier this month, and a decision is expected early in the New Year. If planning permission is received, the Royal Docks facility will host a range of cycling events throughout the summer of 2007 in order to bridge the gap between the closure of Eastway Cycle Circuit (which took place in November this year) and the opening of the replacement Hog Hill Cycle Circuit in Autumn 2007. Discussions on the detailed management of the facility are still ongoing between British Cycling and the LDA, with British Cycling keen to involve its regional representatives early in the New Year to ensure that this facility will be successful. A meeting will be held in mid-January for Regional officials, Club officials and prospective organisers or promoters. The facility would be a first for British Cycling, which has never operated an outdoor cycling facility before. The plan calls for a 900m circuit on a stretch of redundant docklands to the north of the London City Airport. The site is already fenced, gated, lit and has 24 hour security. The LDA would provide any day-to-day maintenance needed during 2007. British Cycling would then manage and administer the facility, employing up to three people, with a grant from the LDA and cooperation from the Eastern, South Eastern and Central Regions, who have come together in an informal London Alliance for this purpose. The location is right in the Heart of Newham which was ranked bottom London Borough and second-bottom nationally in Sport England's recent survey of physical activity so this is a strong "good news" story for cycling being pro-active in this way in exactly the right place. One of the British Cycling staff will act as an outreach coach to go into schools in Newham and the other four "Olympic Boroughs" to instigate cycling activity in the community, based on access to the new circuit. Unity for Irish cyclingThe Northern Ireland Cycling Federation (NICF) member clubs voted overwhelmingly in support of a major change in direction, in a special meeting earlier this month, that will see them combine with Cycling Ulster, and thus be affiliated with the world governing body via Cycling Ireland for 2007. This joining of forces will unify cyclists in a sport that has been divided for three decades in Northern Ireland, and will see NICF member clubs switch affiliation from British Cycling to Cycling Ireland. The proposal was brought about after the federation's meeting last month, where permission was sought from the members to enter in to formal discussions with Cycling Ulster to join forces. The unification is a culmination of the years of work, where relations between the two bodies have been carefully cultivated. Longstanding NICF Chairman Alan Mark chaired the meeting, which saw a landslide vote of 29 in favour and 2 against. Ballymena Road Club, one of the biggest clubs in Ireland, led the vote with their 11 delegates, and were supported by North Down CC, Team Madigan, Old Bleach CC and West Down Wheelers. Spokesman for Cycling Ulster Tommy Lamb said "This is an historic occasion and will see the Ulster region become the strongest of the four provincial federations. Relationships between the two groups have been harmonious for the past number of years and this coming together can only benefit cycling in the long term. All members will still be able to opt for their preferred nationality code and thus noone's identity is compromised." Vote in the Cyclingnews reader's pollWin the latest set of HED wheels
Each year, Cyclingnews gives its readers the chance to select the riders, teams, races, moments, equipment and photos that have really stood out from the pack in the last 12 months or so. From male and female cyclo-crosser and mountain biker of the year, to best product, best team bike, most improved rider, best one-day and stage race, male and female track and road riders, best moment, legend of cycling - soon you'll discover who each of these winners are. But what many of us are really itching to find out is our 'Big Daddy' award: Cyclingnews' 2006 Rider of the Year. In 2005, then newly-crowned world champion and winner of 14 races, Tom Boonen, ran home a winner with almost 50 percent of the votes, while runner-up Lance Armstrong could only muster the hearts of a mere 20 percent of our readers. This time round, Boonen lost his rainbow stripes to the ever-consistent 'Il Grillo' Paolo Bettini in Salzburg, but the popular boy from Balen won seven more races than he did last year. Has Tommeke done enough to pull it off again?
Bettini's not the only guy he's up against, though - the names of Valverde, Zabriskie, Zabel, Cancellara, Landis, Ullrich, Voigt, Leipheimer, Vos, Pereiro, Bettini, McEwen and Ekimov are also in the mix - and this year's race to become Cyclingnews' Rider of the Year is set to be the closest ever. And just to keep things interesting, we'll be giving away a set of the latest Kermesse road wheels from HED to one lucky entrant. The survey should take you less than 10 minutes to complete - you'd be mad not to participate! Click here to cast your vote in Cyclingnews' 2006 readers' poll
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