News for November 3, 2002

Edited by Chris Henry

Ullrich confident about CSC move

Bjarne Riis may still be in need of a major sponsor following Tiscali's withdrawal from the Danish CSC team, but economic uncertainty hasn't stopped Jan Ullrich from expressing confidence in his long-rumoured move to the team. Ullrich commented on his web site that "the idea of bringing my experience to a young team pleases me."

Ullrich's move is largely dependent on the arrival of a new team sponsor, but the German insists money is not his primary motivation. "If I wanted to earn more, I would have stayed with Telekom," said Ullrich. CSC team director Riis is said to be in talks with Deutsche Post for a potential sponsorship deal, though at present no deals have been confirmed.

UCI wades into Gonzalez contract debate

As both Fassa Bortolo and Acqua & Sapone lay claim to the signature of Aitor Gonzalez, the UCI has begun to weigh in on the emerging contract controversy. Alain Rumpf of the UCI has confirmed that following this year's Vuelta a España, Acqua & Sapone manager Vincenzo Santoni provided the UCI with a copy of a contract signed by A&S and Gonzalez on November 10, 2001, engaging Gonzalez to ride for the team from 2003-2005.

Aitor Gonzalez and his management have now pointed to a (presumably verbal) annulment of the deal with Santoni. Not surprisingly, Santoni denies the existence of the annulment. The UCI's Rumpfs indicated that following the November 15 deadline for all teams to submit contracts with their riders, the UCI would provide further comment on the issue.

Courtesy of João Cravo

Superprestige heads to Holland

On Sunday, November 3 the Superprestige cyclo-cross series heads to Sint-Michielsgestel in the Netherlands for Round 2. The series opener in Ruddervoorde, Belgium was won by Sven Nys, but Dutchman Richard Groenendaal will be looking for success on home soil, backed by the local fans. Last year's winner in Sint-Michielsgestel, Erwin Vervecken, will also be present, along with Bart Wellens and Tom Vannoppen.

Superprestige standings after first round:

Elite men

1. Sven Nys             30 points
2. Richard Groenendaal  25
3. Erwin Vervecken      22
4. Sven Vanthourenhout  18
5. Tom Vannoppen        16
6. Bart Wellens         15
7. Gerben de Knegt      14
8. Peter Van Santvliet  13
9. Ben Berden           12
10. Mario De Clercq     11 

Principal starters for Sint-Michielsgestel:

Mario De Clercq (Bel), Richard Groenendaal (Ned), Tom Vannoppen, Sven Nys (Bel), Sven Vanthourenhout (Bel), Erwin Vervecken (Bel), Bart Wellens (Bel), Ben Berden (Bel), Peter Van Santvliet (Bel)

Team Coast cuts back

German Division I Team Coast has been forced to make some cutbacks for the coming season, unable to maintain the expense of a full-sized team. The team will reportedly reduce its roster from 28 to 20 riders, with a nervous eye on sponsorship potential past 2003. The dismissal of Alex Zülle had been rumored, although the Swiss veteran is now reported to have a new contract offer from the team.

Team Coast is for the first time automatically qualified for the Tour de France, and the 2003 Tour could prove pivotal for the future of the team. With the retirement of Fernando Escartin and possible release of Alex Zülle, Angel Casero will likely face greater pressure to assume the role of a full time leader, particularly in the Tour.

Courtesy of João Cravo

Dean continues with CSC

Julian Dean (NZl) has prolongued his contract with CSC for 1 year. Dean turned professional in 1996, riding for Mercury and US Postal before joining CSC-Tiscali. Dean commented on his website that "it has been a buyer's market so for riders like me without a contract, it has been a case of be happy with whatever you can get. I am happy to be going back to a team which I enjoy being a part of and one which I believe is a good environment for me to succeed in."

Team Wiesenhof signs Baumann and Ziegler

German Team Wiesenhof has signed two new recruits from the U23 ranks, Eric Baumann and Thomas Ziegler. Both rode this season for TEAG Team Köstritzer. Ziegler comes from a mountain biking background, and has developed into a promising talent on the road, winning a stage in this year's Thüringen-Rundfahrt. Baumann began his career under the guidance of Peter Sager, who also helped discover Jan Ullrich.

Team Wiesenhof will be Germany's only GS II team next season, and is looking to further bolster its roster. The team, which has already signed ex-Telekom rider Jens Heppner, is seeking to add both new and experienced riders, and hopes to finalize its list within the next week.

First Japanese UCI trade team

Team Nippon Hodo will become Japan's first UCI trade team in 2003, riding as TT3. The team will carry on from the Jura Suisse-Nippon Hodo team of 2002, following the withdrawal of the Swiss component of the team.

The team will be managed by sport director Jacques Jolidon, along with second sport director Hiroshi Daimon of Japan. The team has signed contracts with nine riders, and may add two more. The following riders have contracts with the team: Luca Belluomini (Ita), Takumi Beppu (Jpn), Francesco Cipolletta (Ita), Satoshi Hirose (Jpn), Simone Mori (Ita), Kazuya Okazaki (Jpn), Masahiro Shinagawa (Jpn), Mikhail Teteriouk (Kaz), and Yasuhiro Yamamoto (Jpn).

Rodrigues back to Portugal

Portuguese rider Quintino Rodrigues will return to Portugal after a season with the Polish CCC-Polsat team. Rodrigues will join ASC-Vila do Conde, along with Sérgio Paulinho (Guilhabréus, neo-pro) and Victorino Fernandez (Milaneza).

Giro Armstrong print now available

Giro and Michael Schwab have created a limited run of 500 serigraphic prints of 4-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong. Three hundred prints will be signed and numbered by both Lance and Michael, and will only be available directly from Giro for $300 each. Proceeds of the sales will be shared between the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the U.S.A. Cycling Development Foundation. To order a poster, call Giro in the U.S. at 866-235-6864.

Orders are now being taken on a first-come first-served basis, with a limit of one print per customer. Posters will be shipped by December 1st. See the poster design here.

Jeanson on the air

The CBC in Canada will air a 30 minute program on Genevieve Jeanson on Saturday, November 9, at 12:30 pm (ET). The show will also appear on WTSN, the new digital women's sports network, and CFCF 12 Montreal.

Welsh Cycling Union seeks National Coach

The Welsh Cycling Union is looking for a new National Coach to coach riders on the Welsh Cycling Union Elite Performance program. The National Coach will work with the Sports Council for Wales Sports Science, coordinate the support structure for the riders on the Welsh Cycling Elite program, and to formulate and help implement the coaching strategy for Welsh Cycling above Welsh Talent Team level (16+ years old).

More information is available at welshcyclingunion.com

Interested candidates may send a CV to:

Mr Rae Hughes (Secretary)
Welsh Cycling Union, 17 Pendre Avenue
Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9SH

Submissions must be received by November 16, 2002

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