First Edition Cycling News for October 3, 2006

Edited by Greg Johnson & Kyle Mackay

Godefroot says no Ullrich for Astana

Jan Ullrich takes a ride
Photo ©: Sirotti

By Susan Westemeyer

If Jan Ullrich wants to ride in the Pro Tour, it won't be with Team Astana, says the team's sport director, Walter Godefroot. "Even if he hasn't been charged with doping, and there is no decision from a court, I still couldn't imagine it. A contract seems to be out of the question," he told the German magazine Kicker. Godefroot and Ullrich worked together at Team Telekom/T-Mobile. There are currently seven former members of that team on the 2007 Astana roster.

Godefroot also denied that Andreas Klöden was coming to the team as a helper to captain Alexander Vinokourov. "We don't hire someone who has finished second or third in the Tour de France to be a helper for Vinokourov. We have other riders for that." The Belgian assumes that the team will approach the Tour de France 2007 with a three-pronged strategy of Vinokourov, Klöden and Andrei Kashechkin. "It will surely be very hard for our rivals to adjust to that," he said. He is sure which team will win that race, even if he doesn't yet know which rider it will be. "Whether it will be the first Kazakh Tour win or the second German victory, I can't say right now.'"

Wesemann to Wiesenhof?

By Susan Westemeyer

Stefan Wesemann got the news last week that he was definitely not going to be offered a new contract with Team T-Mobile, but it looks like he has a new contract in sight for next season. The Aargauer Zeitung reports that Wesemann is on the verge of signing with the Professional Team Wiesenhof. "I want to ride in Gippingen and the Tour de Suisse," says Wesemann, who hopes that Wiesenhof will receive a wild card invitation to the latter.

Wesemann rode the Championship of Zürich for T-Mobile, but it was a quickly over for him. In the second round of the course, he suffered an "irreparable defect" on one shoe, which eventually forced him out of the race. In addition, in light of the fact that his team had not offered him a contract for the coming season, his motivation "wasn't all that great, anyway."

Schumi ends season

More kisses for Stefan
Photo ©: Sirotti

By Susan Westemeyer

It has been a highly successful season for Gerolsteiner newcomer Stefan Schumacher, and now it has come to an end. He brought in nine victories this season, including three overall stage races. "In the last few weeks, I have notice that it is harder for me to recuperate." he said. In addition, he came down with an infection which hindered him in Zürich. "It was a long season for a young rider like me. It's time to take something out." Schumacher's palmares in his first year with Gerolsteiner include winning the Circuit de la Sarthe, the Eneco Tour and the Tour of Poland. He also won two stages in the Giro d'Italia, where he wore the leader's pink jersey for two days.

Moos to BMC

In the wake of the disbanding of the Phonak team for 2007, Swiss rider Alexandre Moos will be competing for the BMC Racing Team USA next year in cyclo-cross, mountain bike and road races, according to Phonak's website.

Moos competed in Sunday's first round of the Cyclo-Cross World Cup in Aigle, Switzerland, finishing an undistinguished 38th. Moos conceded it had been difficult to motivate himself after learning the team would disband at the end of the season.

"I'm satisfied and lucky," said Moos. "I'm happy that my career as an athlete is continuing. At the same time, however, I'm not unhappy that there will be less pressure on me than when I was riding on the ProTour."

A close cooperation with BMC, the bike supplier to Phonak, is also part of the plan: "As a kind of test rider I'll help the Swiss bike producer develop high-tech bikes," said the 33 year old.

Gerolsteiner signs young Italian

By Susan Westemeyer

Gerolsteiner has announced another signing - 21-year-old Oscar Gatto. The young Italian is "a promising, fast man, who can also go in escape groups and on hilly terrain," says Team Manager Hans-Michael Holczer. Gatto signed a two-year contract and was recommend by Davide Rebellin and Andrea Moletta. "I am very happy to have signed with one of the best teams in the world," he said. "Now I can't wait to see how I will do in the top class of cycling."

Pereiro satisfied with second at Tour, Spain's worlds

Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d'Epargne)
Photo ©: Unipublic

By Antonio J. Salmerón

In an interview published by El Dia, Oscar Pereiro, second-place finisher at the last Tour de France, was asked on what he felt when Floyd Landis attacked on the stage to Morzine where he regained most of the time lost the previous day.

"I knew him last year at Phonak and know that he trains very intensively, and has taken care of himself very well," said Pereiro. "He is a cyclist of great physical and mental quality. What I felt? We believed that the situation was in control. I said that, at the end, I was going to gain the Tour, but in a harder way. I spent that night a little frustrated, though, after seeing the sensational performance demonstrated by Floyd Landis. He had denied me the possibility of gaining the Tour".

The Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears rider recognizes that, although everybody celebrated him when he arrived at home, "I am a modest rider who has gone little by little in this sport, finished second in the Tour when neither I have the condition nor am I Miguel Induráin. When the Landis affair appeared, I was still satisfied being second and wanted to forget everything that happened."

At the worlds, Pereiro was not selected by Francisco Antequera for his national team, but he is happy with the Spanish participation in Salzburg. "It is necessary to be realistic and to value the conquered bronze medal. Although it was difficult for us, the national team did some very hard work obtaining it."

López signs with Caisse d'Epargne - Illes Balears

After four years as a professional rider David López has signed with Caisse d'Epargne - Illes Balears for the next three seasons. The 25-year-old has signed with the Spanish Pro Tour team after spending the last two years at Euskaltel and the prior two with team Baque

PCT announces new sales and marketing manager

The Pro Cycling Tour has announced the appointment of Kelley Lavin as the organization's new sales and marketing manager. "Ms. Lavin brings a high level of professionalism to our company as well as varied experience with special projects in media, entertainment and the non-profit sector," said PCT president David Chauner. "We intend to develop many more value-added sponsor packages in 2007 and Ms. Lavin's background in these areas will be extremely helpful."

Lavin's role will include the development of sales and marketing efforts for the Commerce Bank Triple Crown events held in Lancaster, Reading and Philadelphia throughout June.

Robbie McEwen inspired by home team win

Queenslander Robbie McEwen returns to Australia this week to prepare for his summer season down under and is a happy man, following the Brisbane Broncos winning the Australian National Rugby League Grand Final. As a VIP ticket holder, McEwen is a huge Broncos fan and was recently invited by the NRL to make a presentation to Darren Lockyer at the Dally M Awards but had to decline due to his commitment at the UCI World Road Championships.

Robbie McEwen (Davitamon)
Photo ©: Sirotti

McEwen, who will make his only velodrome appearance at the Sydney Thousand at Tempe Velodrome on Sunday October 29, will make a 'bee line' to Broncos Leagues Club on his arrival to congratulate Lockyer and his team.

The crack road sprinter, who resides on the Gold Coast when in Australia for three months each year, will take a week before commencing training for the Thousand at Tempe this month and the Cronulla Criterium on December 17.

Robbie will meet up with local St George identity Mike Tomalaris SBS Sports Presenter at the Tempe Velodrome, Mike is expected to be first to congratulate him on a win as he did on the Champs Ely sees in July after his 3rd sprint king victory.

Caisse d'Epargne - Illes Balears announces Paris lineup

Caisse d'Epargne - Illes Balears has unveiled the riders which make up the team's entry in the Paris-Bourges, which commences on Thursday. José Luis Jaimerena will lead a team of nine riders, including:Iván Gutiérrez, Pablo Lastras, Alexei Markov, Mathieu Perget, Nicolas Portal, Mikel Pradera, Fran Pérez and Vicente Reynes.

New museum for Madonna del Ghisallo

The Madonna del Ghisallo chapel, perched high above Italy's Lake Como and long the place of pilgrimage for cyclists seeking the protection of their patron saint, is opening a museum coinciding with this year's Tour of Lombardy on Saturday, October 14.

The museum will dedicate over 2000 square metres to cycling's history and will be divided into two themes: the man and his machine. The permanent collection will include a historical collection of trophies, photography, clothing and bicycles of the champions, design and technology of the racing bicycle, and audiovisual aids and collections.

The champions featured will be both Italian and foreign, and include names from Jack, Coppi and Bartali to Moser, Merckx and Indurain and many others. The museum will also feature temporary exhibitions.

"It is interactive, dynamic and representative, a place of active instruction," said the museum's architects, David Bergna and Pier Federico Caliari.

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