News for November 27, 2002

Edited by Chris Henry

Fassa Bortolo for 2003

Fassa Bortolo began its preparations for 2003 with a first team gathering in Castrocaro. Most riders were present, with the exception of Serguei Ivanov, Volodimir Gustov, and Tadej Valjavec, who are still at home in their native countries. The recently married Matteo Tosatto was absent as well.

The team should be a factor throughout the year in 2003, with a rejuvenated Michele Bartoli (winner of two World Cup races in 2002 and third overall in the series), Dario Frigo (winner of GP Zurich and a stage in the Tour de France), and Vuelta a España winner Aitor Gonzalez. Frigo returns to the Fassa fold from Tacconi Sport, while Gonzalez switches from Kelme, ending a drawn-out contract saga between Fassa Bortolo and Acqua & Sapone, who also claimed to have a signed deal with the Spaniard for 2003. Fassa Bortolo has also signed U23 World Road Race Champion Francesco Chicchi.

The 2003 team roster is as follows:

Michele Bartoli
Ivan Basso
Marzio Bruseghin
Fabian Cancellara
Francesco Chicchi
Dario Cioni
Mauro Facci
Dario Frigo
Volodymyr Gustov
Serguei Ivanov
Aitor Gonzalez Jimenez
Kim Kirchen
Nicola Loda
Juan José De Los Angeles
Sven Montgomery
Alessandro Petacchi
Roberto Petito
Filippo Pozzato
Gorazd Stangelj
Matteo Tosatto
Guido Trenti
Tadej Valjavec
Marco Velo
Denis Zanette
Marco Zanotti

Frigo looking for single day success

In comments made recently to Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport, Dario Frigo underlined his revised racing focus, with an emphasis on single day classics. After his World Cup victory in Zurich this year, Frigo noted that he had rushed his preparation in order to recover lost time from his suspension. "I had paid for my effort in the Giro, even if I was successful in winning a stage in the (2002) Tour and the GP Zurich," he said. Although he and team manager Ferretti have yet to decide the full program for 2003, Frigo is looking beyond the stage races. The rider envisions with his return to Fassa Bortolo objectives such as Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the Flèche-Wallonne, as well as key World Cup events such as the GP Zurich, Classica San Sebastian, and Giro di Lombardia.

Genova candidate for 2004 Giro start

Genova, Italy has announced its candidacy for the 2004 Giro d'Italia start. The race start would be set to coincide with the Tournament of Six Nations rugby competition and Italian football matches. Genova last hosted the Giro in 2000, with the finish of Stage 17 and start of Stage 18.

Paris-Bruxelles dealt another blow

Fall French classic Paris-Bruxelles, which will already face a change in ranking from UCI 1.1 to 1.2 this year, also risks being shortened to a maximum 230km per UCI regulations, according to the Belga news agency. The race, which traditionally begins in Soissons, France, and finishes outside Bruxelles in Anderlecht, would require a fairly significant rerouting in order to meet the maximum distance imposed by the UCI. Paris-Bruxelles race director Pascal Demol has appealed to Tour de France boss Jean-Marie Leblanc, who also serves as president of the international association of race promoters (AIOCC), for assistance in lobbying the UCI for an exception. The 2003 edition is scheduled for September 13.

Source: velo-club.net

Verge New England Cyclo-Cross Round 5

The Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series resumes with Round Five in South Kingstown, Rhode Island on Sunday, December 1. The Rhode Island course was the site of the 2001 Verge Series finals, which saw Johannes Huseby (Independent Fabrications) take an upset victory over brothers Frank and Mark McCormack of Team Saturn. Marc Gullickson (Mongoose) currently leads the series standings after victories in each of the first four rounds, but will be absent at the Rhode Island event, leaving the door open to a number of would-be challengers. Mary McConneloug (Seven Cycles) leads the women's standings.

The six event Verge series carries $25,000 in prize money and is a UCI-sanctioned series. All Verge New England Championship Cyclo-Cross Series races can be registered for on-line courtesy of BikeReg.com. For more information, see www.necyclocross.com.

Frischknecht returns to California

Swiss cyclo-cross and mountain biking legend Thomas Frischknecht, 32, will return to California December 7th for the Cyclo-cross at Coyote Point (CCCP) in San Mateo. A long time Ritchey factory rider, Frischknecht last raced in Northern California in April 2000 at the World Cup Mountain Bike race held in Napa at Domaine Chandon. Napa is also the site of this year's US Cyclo-cross Championships on December 14 and 15.

Racing begins at 9:30am and the main event, the Elite Men's 60 minute contest, starts at 2:15pm. The race will feature many of Northern California's best hopes for places on the National's podium one week later. Detailed course information is available at www.pilarcitos.com.

All-Ireland Cyclo-cross Championships relocated

Originally listed for Sunday, December 8 at Phoenix Park, the All-Ireland 2002 Cyclo-cross Championships will now take place at Powerscourt Waterfall, Enniskerry on Saturday, December 7. Entry to the race is through the Waterfall Gate.

Olano to receive local honors

Abraham Olano, who rode his last season as a professional this year, will be honored by his fans and supporters in Anoeta, Spain, where he currently lives. Organized by the town and the newspaper Tolosaldean Egunero, the event will take place December 15, where Olano will ride with supporters and receive honors from the mayors of Tolosa and Anoeta, among others.

Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge

Some of the biggest names in New Zealand cycling will be lining up Saturday, November 30 for the Avanti Classic Race at this year’s Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge. Olympians Sarah Ulmer and Susy Pryde are regular participants in the event, and Susy Pryde holds the current women’s record of 4 hours 9 minutes. The men’s record will be contested between current record holder Lee Vertongen (3:59) and other top New Zealand cyclists such as Jeremy and Matt Yates and Jack Swart. The attraction of the Classic Race for elite cyclists has been enhanced by its recent promotion to a Grade A NZ Cycling Race and by the substantial prize package totaling $7,000. The race will start at 7:00am and the first cyclists should reach the finish line outside the Ika Nui resort on Lake Terrace at approximately 10:45am.

Julian Dean (CSC) will be on hand to compete this year in the Solo event, along with Aaron Slight, cricketer Bruce Edgar and Trans-Atlantic rower Rob Hamill who will contest his own Kickbike record of 9 hours 29 minutes. Entries for this year’s solo challenges are ahead of previous years; 70 competitors are anticipated for the Classic race and 3,500 for the Solo.

Personnel changes at US Bicycling Hall of Fame

Ernie Seubert, President of the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame, has announced that Dawn C. Richardson has been named Chief Operating Officer for the organization. Ms. Richardson will assume responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Hall of Fame, supporting the efforts of Curator and Race Director, Vince Menci. In addition, Ms. Richardson is currently serving as President of the Western Jersey Wheelmen Bicycling Club.

The following appointments to the Board of Directors were approved: Frank Valanzola, Greg Cordasco, Steve Dragos, Ron Roley, and Pieter DeHaan.

Also elected as officers of the organization for two year terms are:

Ernie Seubert, President
Frank Valanzola, Vice President
Bill Brunner, Treasurer
Bruce Molinaro, Secretary

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