First Edition News for February 8, 2003Edited by Jeff Jones Trofeo Luis Puig previewThe 24th edition of the Trofeo Luis Puig (1.2) will be held on February 23 in Spain. The one day classic will link Benidorn and Valencia over a 181.6 km route through the provinces of Alicante and Valencia. Before reaching the finish line in Valencia, the 136 riders from 17 teams will have to face two Cat. 2 climbs (Confrides and Albaida) and one Cat. 3 climb (Serragrosa) before the long descent to the Mediterranean seaside. The profile of the race gives theoretical advantage to the sprinters, and for that reason the people from Valencia are already anticipating the final rush of Erik Zabel, Mario Cipollini and Oscar Freire to the line. The Trofeo Luis Puig will see the following teams take part: ONCE, iBanesto.com, Kelme, Euskaltel-Euskadi, Relax, Paternina, Labarca 2, Fassa Bortolo, Team Coast, Cofidis, Rabobank, Team Telekom, Alessio, Saeco, Phonak, Domina Vacanze and Milaneza-MSS. Courtesy of João Cravo Virenque wants six polka dotted jerseysQuick Step-Davitamon's Richard Virenque is aiming for a record six polka dotted climbing jerseys in the Tour de France. The 34 year old climbing specialist realises that he'll never win the Tour, although he is still capable of pulling off some spectacular results as he showed last year when he won on Mont Ventoux. Virenque was quoted by L'Equipe as saying "A podium finish is unobtainable, but I will certainly try to be the best climber for a sixth time, and just as last year to win a stage." Dutch team for Moscow World CupDutch national coach Peter Pieters has made his selection for the first round of the UCI Track World Cup in Moscow (February 13-15). Men's Sprint: Theo Bos, Teun Mulder, Martin Minolta cycling academyRobert Hunter, the South African sprinter from Rabobank, might well be joined by more of his compatriots in Division I. Minolta, the business and photographic equipment corporation, has founded a cycling academy that now has 19 riders in it. Keeping secret the exact amount invested on the academy, Minolta's Barry Austin confirmed that "it is certainly in the hundreds of thousands of rands [1 ZAR = 0.11 EUR or 0.12 USD]." For Austin, this investment is the biggest of its kind in the sport in South Africa and offers a perfect opportunity for development. If everything goes the right way, the academy will put U23, Junior and U16 teams into competition. "The academy's riders will be fully supported at 15 of South Africa's major races, and the main focus will be on the Junior team as the U16 and U23 teams have been finalized," revealed Barry Austin. With three slots left, the Junior team of Minolta's cycling academy has signed three of the most promising young South African riders: George Schoonraad, Hanco Kachelhoffer and Jakobus Greyling. 94th in the UCI rankings at the end of 2002, Robert Hunter is a model and a motivation for many of those youngsters. Some of them dream of riding the same races as Hunter. Time will tell. Tioga and Orange MTB teamTioga Bicycle Components and Orange Mountain Bikes have announced the formation of the Tioga Orange Factory Racing Professional Mountain Bike Team. This Southern California based Downhill/Mountain Cross team will contest the entire professional North American race series, including the Sea Otter Classic, the NORBA National Series, and the World Cup rounds held in North America. Team Roster Tai Lee Muxlow (Aus) Sponsors Tioga Bicycle Components (tires, wheels, pedals, saddles, handlebars,
stems, and headsets) Hawley-ATA Bike.com teamThe Hawley-ATA Bike.com Cycling team is entering its second year of racing in the elite ranks. The team features an 8 man roster in 2003 including the addition of U.S. National Team racer Kevin Bouchard-Hall, Pro Mountain Biker Matt O'Keefe, and ex-GS Mengoni speedster, Jason Baer. 2003 Roster Jason Baer Directors: Bobby Bailey and Matt Morrell Sponsors The Hawley Company USCF Officials Clinic in North CarolinaA USCF Officials Clinic will be held for the North Carolina/South Carolina region on February 16, 2003. It will take place in Burlington, NC at the May Memorial Library, and will run from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm with a break for lunch. The Clinic will be a training for anyone wanting to become a new (category 4) official or wanting to upgrade from category 4 to category 3. It will also be an update and refresher for all current USCF officials covering new and existing rules. At the end of the clinic, exams for category 3 and 4 officials will be given. Upon passing the exam, you will qualify for an official's license. The USCF Official license fee is $35, or $25 if you have a NORBA officials license. There is a $10 fee to defer the cost of the refreshments, lunch, and materials. There is no other charge for the clinic except for the license fee if you become an official or renew your license. Atendees are requested to bring their latest USCF Rulebook, paper, and writing instrument. Directions to the May Memorial Library in Burlington: From the east, west, & south: take I-85/40 to exit 145 (NC 49), turn north toward town, follow Maple Ave. through 11 (10 from the east) stoplights into downtown Burlington (~2.5 mi.), turn right on Spring St., go 1.5 blocks, the Library will be on your right. From the north: take NC 87, NC 49, or NC 62 to Burlington, from NC 49 follow Church St. (US 70) & continue as it splits into Fisher St. (1 way west), from NC 62 & NC 87 turn right onto Fisher St., continue to Front St. & turn left, turn right at the 3rd light onto Spring St., the Library will be on your left. Go in the side entrance to the right of the main entrance.
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