First Edition Cycling News for February2, 2006

Edited by Jeff Jones, with assistance from Susan Westemeyer

Langkawi: A change of pace, and perhaps a new face

By Anthony Tan in Kuala Lumpur

2005 winner Ryan Cox is back in Malaysia as part of the South African national team, hoping to defend his title
Photo ©: Cyclingnews/Mark Gunter

In managing director Imran Abdullah's (a.k.a. Simon Donnellan) opening address to all involved with the 2006 edition of the Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL), he begins by saying: "2005 saw much changed in the global structure of professional cycling and presented a number of key challenges to us as race organisers. In response, we have adapted our operations and taken many positive steps to improve our efficiency and ensure a long term future for the TM Le Tour de Langkawi."

The first statement is certainly true; the advent of the ProTour appears to have raised the level of events such as the Deutschland Tour (Tour of Germany), Criterium du Dauphiné Libéré and Giro d'Italia to another level. But equally, the creation of five Continental circuits and the introduction of Pro Continental and Continental teams resulted in a few negative repercussions.

With no ProTour points up for grabs at races like the LTdL, a number of race organisers have begun to refocus their objectives. "This race previously has put great emphasis on the European contingent; I personally want to maintain that, but also give some balance to the Asian teams as well," Abdullah told Cyclingnews in December last year. It was also during this time the race was having a few problems of its own, which thankfully have now been dealt with.

Click here for the full preview, Stages & results, Map, Start list, History and Photos.

Ullrich and teammates training in South Africa

The winter in Europe is not showing any signs of ending, so the pro cyclists are being forced to flee the continent in search of friendly weather. T-Mobile's Jan Ullrich had planned to make his usual long training stay in Tuscany, Italy, but has chosen instead to fly to Cape Town, South Africa.

"Currently, winter has Italy in its grip. The snowfall and the freezing cold make it impossible to train efficiently. The risk of catching a cold is much too high," said Ullrich, who hopes "to do a more focused and intense training under the South African sun."

Ullrich is being joined by teammates Giuseppe Guerini, Mathias Kessler, and Andreas Klöden, as well as Directeur Sportif Rudy Pevenage and physiotherapist Birgit Krohme.

It has still not yet been decided when and where Ullrich will make his season racing debut. "For the time being, I will continue to work and stay focused on building up my form," he said.

Aldag's farewell race

Rolf Aldag, 37, rode his last week this week and has made his farewells as an active rider. Aldag, who will continue to work for the T-Mobile Team, ended the Berlin Six-Days Race in sixth place with his partner Robert Bartko. "I had three reasons for choosing Berlin for my last race," he said. "I won my most important six-days race in Berlin with Silvio Martinello, I can say goodbye to an expert public here, and there is a Berliner to whom I owe many thanks for my time at Team Telekom and T-Mobile: Erik Zabel."

Aldag had hoped to win his farewell race, but an appendectomy the beginning of January and a bad crash during the race put an end to those plans. "I was sorry for Robert," Aldag noted. "He couldn't win because of me. And it's too bad for the public, that I couldn't present myself in top form. And I feel sorry for myself. I had overestimated my chances. Obviously one can't compete in top form in a cycling race only three weeks after an appendectomy with complications."

Schumacher: "I don't have any reason to hide"

After two years in the "minor leagues," Stefan Schumacher is happy to be back in the "majors" with Pro Tour Team Gerolsteiner. "I have been a pro for four years, and won three stage races last year," he says. "I don't see any reason to hide myself."

Sports director Christian Henn is happy to have him on the team, too. "Stefan has talent, bite and a lot of substance, he will be able to adapt to the higher level of a ProTour team."

He is facing a full racing program this spring: Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix, Amstel Gold Race, Fleche Wallonne, and Liege-Bastogne-Liege, all leading up to his season highlight: the Giro d'Italia. Schumacher tested positive last year for cathine (norpseudoephedrine) in the Rheinland-Pfalz Rundfahrt, but was eventually acquitted of all charges.

Petacchi returns at the GP Costa degli Etruschi

Italian super sprinter Alessandro Petacchi will return to racing at this Saturday's 11th GP Costa degli Etruschi in Donoratico, Italy. The Milram rider won the race last year, and will be again the man to beat, despite his lack of racing so far this season. His challengers include Luciano Pagliarini, Danilo Napolitano, Fabio Baldato, Daniele Colli and Enrico Degano.

A total of 16 teams will take part in the race, including four ProTour teams: Liquigas, Lampre, Saunier Duval-Prodir and Team Milram), nine Pro Continental teams: Acqua&Sapone, Barloworld, Ceramiche Flaminia, Miche, Naturino-Sapore di mare, Team Androni giocattoli-3C Casalinghi, Team Tenax-Salmilano, Team Vorarlberg), and four Continental teams: Amore&Vita, OTC Doors-Lauretana, Team Endeka, Team Universal Caffé - CB immobiliare).

The start GP Costa degli Etruschi will take place on Saturday at 10:45 from San Vincenzo. The finish is predicted for around 4:00pm in the centre of Donoratico, after 193 km.

Liquigas in Donoratico

Liquigas will hold its fourth training camp in Donoratico, Italy, with 11 riders taking part. Those who are down for the Challenge Illes Balears or the Mexican high altitude training camp will not be present.

The squad will be led by directors Dario Mariuzzo and Mario Chiesa, who will guide Dario Andriotto, Eros Capecchi, Daniele Colli, Alberto Curtolo, Mauro Da Dalto, Francesco Failli, Enrico Gasparotto, Roman Kreuziger, Andrea Noè, Marco Righetto, and Charles Wegelius. Most of these riders will race in the GP Costa degli Etruschi on Saturday.

Liberty Seguros-Würth in Estepona

The Liberty Seguros-Würth team will hold its next training camp in Estepona, Spain, between February 10-16. All 28 riders will take advantage of the favourable climate in Andalucía. The official presentation of the team will take place on February 17, in Madrid, before the team debuts in Europe with the Vuelta a Valencia on February 21.

Cracked hip for Nys

Sven Nys (Belgium)
Photo ©: Luc Claessen

Sven Nys' crash in the Cyclo-cross World's last Sunday has resulted in a small crack in his hip bone, which may jeopardise the rest of his season. Nys was examined by doctors in Herentals, Belgium, on Tuesday, and was given the OK to continue training and racing, despite the crack. "Apparently, cycling holds no risk," he told Sportwereld.be. "In the next few days, I'll try to keep training as normal. On Friday I'll decided whether I'll start in Lille on Saturday."

With rounds of the Gazet van Antwerpen Trofee and Superprestige series this weekend in Lille and Hoogstraten, Nys risks losing his position at the top of the standings. "If I don't start, then I can forget the classification. Even if I still rode in Vorselaar and Oostmalle within two weeks.

"To think about it is frustrating. I see something that I've worked for for the whole year slip through my fingers because of a stupid crash."

Six Day stars come to Revolution finale

The final Revolution of season 3 will be held on Saturday, February 18 at the Manchester Velodrome in Britain, with a number of the stars of the Six Day circuit present. The six day season will finish in Copenhagen next week, allowing many of the riders to make the trip across the Channel to compete in Revolution 12.

Already confirmed are Belgians Matthew Gilmore and Iljo Keisse. The pair have scored two wins and two second places in the Sixes this season, and are in good form. Joining them will be Franco Marvulli and Peter Schep, with the Swiss/Dutch combo keen to race. "I've heard a lot about Revolution from the other riders and it sounds like a great event," said Marvulli. "I really wanted to come and race so I'm ready for it and really looking forward to the experience."

With many of the elite British riders already in Australia for the Commonwealth Games, it will be down to British stars Rob Hayles and Chris Newton to fly the flag for the home nation. "Everything is going really well at the moment and the form is good so I'll be well prepared for the racing at Revolution 12", commented Hayles. "It will be good to get the opportunity to see how well I'm going in the races especially against some of the top six day guys so I'm well up for it."

Hayles and Newton will be joined by Russell and Dean Downing as well as the up and coming British riders who have performed well this season.

More information: www.cyclingrevolution.com

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