News for February 6, 2003Edited by John Stevenson Quebecois doctor accused of supplying EPOThe disciplinary committee of the Quebec Collège des médecins is to hear a complaint at the end of the month against a Quebecois doctor accused of inappropriately prescribing EPO to athletes including cyclists, according to a report in Montreal newspaper La Presse. Dr. Maurice Duquette allegedly offered EPO to a cyclist from the Fédération québécoise des sports cyclistes (FQSC), leading to a complaint against the doctor by the FQSC in winter 2001 and subsequent investigation. According to one of the 14 items comprising the complaint, Dr Duquette's patients at the Fleury hospital and in his private practice in Vieux-Montréal included "elite athletes and coaches". The full complaint relates to 11 patients, and to events between 1998 and 2001, though a court injunction prevents their names from being revealed to the media. The injunction was handed down in December last year at the request of an athlete who fears for his reputation and the continuation of his career. The case will be heard February 24-28. Giro della Provincia di Reggio Calabria returnsThe second weekend of March will see the return to the international calendar of one of Italy's longest-running single day races, the Giro della Provincia di Reggio Calabria. Making its return after a five-year forced absence, the Giro Calabria is half of a pair of early season races, along with the Trofeo Pantalica. The 194km Giro Calabria will start in Stilo and follow the coast to Locri, before crossing Calabria to Rosarno and heading to the finish at Reggio Calabria. The last edition of the race, in 1998, was won by Michele Bartoli. The next day the race caravan will travel to Sicily for the second edition of the 172km Pantalica Trophy from Solarino to Floridia. Both races are organized by RCS Sport for Italian sports newspaper Gazetta dello Sport and are expected to attract some of the best foreign and Italian riders. New diaries on Cyclingnews2002 super-rookie and Cyclingnews diarist Floyd Landis is still at home recovering from his broken hip - but your emails are helping him stay cheerful. World champion Susanne Ljunskog joins our team of diarists with some thoughts about her world's win last year and her new team for 2003. Italian "killer" Danilo Di Luca has been hob-nobbing with the great and the good, receiving an award from Italy's President. And our newest diarist Tom Danielson is deep in the Tour de Langkawi working to defend team-mate Nathan O'Neill's yellow jersey. USA Cycling clubs of the YearUSA Cycling has named Mercy Cycling as the overall winner for 2002 in its annual Clubs of the Year contest. The runners-up in the Division 1 group are: Masters: National Capital Velo Club Clubs are recognized for their organization and support of bicycle racing in the United States. Overall club winners received $200 and their 2003 club membership free. All other winners received their 2003 Club Membership free. UK's CTC backs call for safer roadsThe Safer Streets Coalition, a campaigning body that includes UK national cycling organization CTC, yesterday wrote to British Transport Secretary Alistair Darling urging him to take action to reduce speed limits, enforce traffic law, introduce more traffic calming measures and raise driver awareness of road safety issues. The letter's main thrust is request for a review of speed limits, and "to deliver a 30mph limit for every village and make much wider use of 20mph limits in residential areas and on main shopping streets." Pointing out that "over 1100 people die every year in road crashes in which speed is a major factor," the letter goes on to say, "with all the Government focus on the need to clamp down on anti-social behaviour and the need to be tough on crime, it would surely be hypocritical not to demand more responsible behaviour from car drivers." Roger Geffen of the CTC said that fear of traffic was a major reason why people did not ride bikes. "We all stand to gain from the health, social and environmental benefits of encouraging more cycle use. Yet too many people are put off cycling by the fear of traffic. Cycle lanes can help but do not address the speed and dominance of motor vehicles. These are the key issues that must be tackled if we want to see more people cycling more often," he said. Boneshaker's Cycling TeamThe Boneshaker's Cycling Team, a regional team based out of Atlanta, Georgia, has announced its roster for the 2003 season. Boneshaker's will compete in regional road and mountain bike races as well as selected National Racing Calendar (NRC) and NORBA National races. In addition to racing, the Boneshaker's Team will raise money for the Silver Comet trail, a rail-trail located in Cobb County, Georgia and will volunteer at bicycle safety events. Team Sponsors include Beef O'Brady's Family Sports Pubs, Boneshaker Bicycles, and Signdog.com. Road Team Chris Jackson, Powder Springs, GA (Cat. II) Multisport "Big Ring" Tommy Miller (Professional) Mountain Biking Darren Cox (Sport) Cyclocross Garth Brown (Cat. C) Staff Directeur Sportif: Mitchell Askew Bikesource/Whole Foods Cycling TeamThe Bikesource/Whole Foods Cycling Team (HRRC) will begin its second season of top level racing in the Midwest. After having an excellent first season with over 85 wins in Road, Mountain and Cyclo-cross, HRRC, based out of Kansas City, Missouri, will be aiming to tackle the Regional and National Racing scene in the US. Heartland will race a few national calibre events, but will mainly focus on regional events in the Midwest. Heartland's roster has expanded to 10 riders for 2003 and will include the multi-talented Steve Tilford, a current Masters MTB World Champion who also has a solid record as a road and cyclo-cross racer. Team rosterSteve Tilford (Captain) (Cat 1/Pro) Sponsors Whole Foods Markets (www.wholefoods.com) (All rights reserved/Copyright Knapp Communications Pty Limited 2003) |
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