News for December 27, 2002

Edited by Jeff Jones

Azencross preview

Friday, December 27 will see the fourth round of the Gazet van Antwerpen Trofee held in Loenhout, Belgium. The Azencross has been held since 1984, with Roland Liboton, Danny De Bie and Adrie van der Poel each recording three victories in the event. The last three editions have been won by Erwin Vervecken, Sven Nijs and Richard Groenendaal respectively.

These riders will be amongst the starters in Loenhout on Friday, looking to sharpen themselves up for Sunday's Superprestige race in Diegem. In total, 13 countries will be represented and the field looks to be very strong.

The racing begins at 11:00 with the Novices, followed by the Espoirs/U23 at 12:00, the Women at 13:30, and the Elite Men at 15:00.

Palmares Azencross

1984 Roland Liboton
1985 Roland Liboton
1986 Hennie Stamsnijder
1987 Hennie Stamsnijder
1988 Roland Liboton
1989 Danny De Bie
1990 Danny De Bie
1991 Danny De Bie
1992 Adrie van der Poel
1993 Marc Janssens
1994 Radomir Simunek
1995 Paul Herygers
1996 Adrie van der Poel
1997 Adrie van der Poel
1998 Marc Janssens
1999 Richard Groenendaal
2000 Sven Nijs
2001 Erwin Vervecken

Armstrong AP Athlete of the Year

Lance Armstrong has been named Male Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press, beating baseballer Barry Bonds and golfer Tiger Woods by a clear margin. Bonds, who won the award last year, received 31 first place votes with a total of 233 points. Armstrong managed 45 first places votes for a total of 292 points. Woods, who won the award in 1999 and 2000, accumulated seven first place votes and 110 points.

Armstrong won the Tour de France for a fourth successive time this year, only needing one more to join the likes of Miguel Indurain, Bernard Hinault, Eddy Merckx, and Jacques Anquetil. Of these, only Indurain had an unbroken run. "He was an incredible time trialist, the best that ever lived," said Armstrong to AP. "I can win a time trial today, but I would do it by seconds. He could win by a couple of minutes."

Armstrong is also of the belief that without cancer, he wouldn't have won the Tour even once. As well as reshaping his body, overcoming the disease gave him the mental strength to win the toughest race in the world. "I would never have won one Tour de France if I hadn't had it. No doubt," said Armstrong.

Vervecken suffering from virus

Erwin Vervecken may have to stop his season prematurely, after contracting a blood virus recently. "The doctor advised me to rest for six weeks," he said to Belgian TV1. "That of course makes no sense, because then the season is over."

Vervecken said that he generally feels sick and has poor recovery. He did not start in today's cyclo-cross race in Hofstade, but will try tomorrow in Loenhout and on Sunday in Diegem. "If I don't feel up to it, I think I'll be watching this cyclo-cross season."

Coppi's masseur dies

Fausto Coppi's long time masseur, Giannetto Cimurri, has died in Reggio Emilia aged 97. A well known figure in Italian cycling, Cimurri worked as a masseur at 74 World Championships, 40 Giri d'Italia, and 11 Tours de France. He was with the Italian national team for 34 years. Cimurri created a museum in Reggio Emilia, containing a number of bicycles ridden by the great champions.

Cimurri is succeeded by three sons: Chiarino, who is currently the president of the Reggiana soccer club and was previously involved with the national tennis and basketball federations; Giorgio, councilor for sport to the mayor of Reggio Emilia; and Reffaella.

Giannetto Cimurri's funeral will be on Saturday, December 28 at 11:00am in the city's cathedral.

Knaven expecting

Dutch rider Servais Knaven (Quickstep-Davitamon) will not travel to Australia in January for a team training camp and the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under, as his wife is expecting the couple's second child at that time. Knaven Junior II is due on January 21, 2003.

Tour start for Québec?

The Canadian province of Québec wants to host the start of the Tour de France in 2008. Québec will celebrate its 400th anniversary that year, and wants to do it in style. The French speaking province will have to put in a strong bid, as the Tour has never started in America.

Konyshev to Marlux

Russian cyclist Dmitri Konyshev has signed a one year contract with the Marlux-Wincor-Nixdorf team. The 37 year old Fassa Bortolo rider will thus be working with his old friend Andrei Tchmil, who will be a trainer at Marlux. Konyshev has been a professional since 1989, winning the Russian championships in 1990, 1993 and 2001, stages in the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia, and several other prestigious races.

Vanlandingham to Luna Chix

Shonny Vanlandingham, formerly with SoBe/Cannondale, will ride for Luna Chix in 2003 and 2004.

New Danish team

A new Danish Division III team, CK Kronborg Pro has been formed, according to website cyclingworld.dk. It will have eight Danish and four Swedish riders next year. 38 year old Torben Bo Knudsen will be captain with Gregers B. Richter, Mads Bugge Andersen, Peter Gaarde, Jacob Andersen and Morten Rejnhold as the other senior riders while Lasse Bøchman, Patrick Wonsyld and Swedes Marcus Nihlén, Gabor Veszpremi and twin brothers Dennis and Lucas Pehrsson make up the U23 part of the team.

The team will have an ecological/biodynamic profile with mental training and preparation as an important element. Ex pro Jack Arvid Olsen will be sports director and the main goal for the coming season will be to get a spot in the Tour of Denmark and the Danish Championships.

(All rights reserved/Copyright Knapp Communications Pty Limited 2002)