News for January 3, 2003

Edited by Jeff Jones

Cyclingnews awards: Top 10 News Stories

Continuing the Cyclingnews "Best of 2002", we present the Top 10 news stories of the past year. Who and what caused the biggest waves in 2002?

Cipollini to start in the Tour of Med

Mario Cipollini will make his 2003 season debut with Domina Vacanze-Elitron in the Tour Méditerranéen (February 12-16), and will ride a similar early season program as last year. The Tuscan, who is currently training with his teammates in Civitanova Marche, will then race in the Vuelta Valencia, and Tirreno Adriatico (March 13-19) in preparation for his first big goal: Milan-San Remo on March 22. His stated aim is to win that race with the World Champion's jersey on his shoulders.

Following MSR, Cipollini will ride the Belgian classics, Ronde Van Vlaanderen (April 6) and Gent-Wevelgem (April 9). He will skip the rest of the spring classics and return in the Tour de Romandie (April 29-May 4), which he will use as a tune up for the Giro d'Italia (May 10-June 1). His next main season goal is in this race, as he wants to beat the record of stage wins (41) held by Alfredo Binda. Cipollini has 40, and should realise his goal.

Following the Giro, Cipo wants to race in the Tour de France again. He has not done so since 1999, when he won four stages. His team, Domina Vacanza-Elitron, is not one of the 14 teams that have automatically qualified, so it will have to rely on a wildcard entry from the Sociètè. That is going to be hard to obtain, given the number of French teams also vying for a wildcard.

Cipollini will give a press conference today (January 3) in Ascoli Piceno to further detail his plans.

De Clercq must rest

World Champion Mario De Clercq has to rest for a short time due to back pain. The Palmans-Collstrop rider did not race today in Sint-Niklaas, instead choosing to visit his osteopath after experiencing pain in his back, possibly arising from a fall in the Superprestige race in Diegem.

It's not known how long this will affect him, but he does intend to start in Surhuisterveen tomorrow, and the World Cup in Lieven on Sunday.

US sponsor for De Baeremaeker's squads

Belgian team manager Paul De Baeremaeker's plans for this season look set to encompass two teams, one each in Division II and III. Both squads will be sponsored by U.S. real estate company Re/Max, which has a rapidly emerging presence in Europe. Re/Max will be putting in 9 million euros over the next three years, with the principal aim of getting into Division I in 2004.

The Division II team will co-sponsored by Unidek, a Dutch building giant, as well as Spanish bike manufacturer Massi, which will contribute 200,000 euros. De Baeremaeker will formally announce the team on January 8, and is currently on the lookout for good Belgian riders who have yet to sign contracts. Dave Bruylandts is one of these, although he has offers from Marlux and Palmans.

The Division III Re/Max team will be composed by young riders from Belgium and the Netherlands.

Courtesy of Nicolas Leroy

Codol to Scananivo-La Verve

Lampre's Massimo Codol will ride for the new Italian Division II team Scananivo-La Verve this season, according to L'Equipe. There he will join Mario Manzoni and Eddy Serri, amongst others.

Lievens extends with Landbouwkrediet

Erik Lievens has extended his contract with the Landbouwkrediet-Colnago team for another year. The 23 year old made his debut with the Belgian squad this year.

Selle-Italia aiming high in LTDL

Last year, they crushed their more fancied opponents easily in the decisive stage to Genting Highlands in the Telekom Malaysia Le Tour de Langkawi. Can the boys from Colombia do it for the second year running? Defending champion Hernan Dario Muñoz and right-hand man Ruber Alveiro Marin have both conquered the Genting climbs, and both are aiming to put the Selle Italia team in the limelight in this year's race.

Muñoz, who won the Telekom Malaysia yellow jersey after winning the Genting stage, will be the centre of attraction, and it will be interesting to see how the diminutive Colombian fares against the top notch field, which includes three other winners of the 10 day race.

Muñoz will lead the Selle Italia-Colombia team this year, saying that "It would be good to win again in Malaysia, Tour de Langkawi was a major win but it all boils down to how good you are in the mountains, and of course, team efforts."

The presence of Marin, who played a pivotal part in helping out Muñoz win the race last year, would surely bolster Selle Italia's hopes of glory. The 35 year old won the King of the Mountains title and will be aiming to retain the title and give his European rivals another blushing at the end of the 10 day race.

Apart from Muñoz and Marin, Mikhaylo Khalilov (Ukraine) is the other member from the 2002 LTdL squad who will make his presence this year. The rest of team consists of Freddy Excelino Gonzalez, John Freddy Garcia and Uberlino Mesa, all of whom are strong riders and should support Muñoz well.

A little on Antonio Bucciero

Italian neo-professional Antonio Bucciero will make his debut with the Saeco team this year, the only neo-pro in Beppe Martinelli's squad. Saeco believes that Bucciero will be 'The Next Michele Bartoli' when it comes to racing in Flanders - a fairly formidable tagline.

Martinelli watched Bucciero race as an amateur, and thinks he has the talent and class to be a great rider. He has ridden well in the big races including, two brave moves in the 2002 European championships in Bergamo and the world championships in Zolder, when he was caught just metres from the line.

"I was upset not to win and I don't think it's strange to admit that after both races I spent a lot of time thinking about all the ifs and buts, and how the final result could have been so different," said Bucciero. "I could have won the World's in Zolder but it was all a question of tiny details, of split seconds. The truth is that if you don't try, you'll never know if you can win, and how good you actually are. Let's say my attacks were a test for the rest of my career, the years I hope to spend as a professional rider, which I hope will be rewarding and successful."

Bucciero is very determined and meticulous. He writes a diary about how he feels and the training he has done, and includes every aspect of how he feels. He has gradually improved over the years and has never over raced or pushed himself too far. He's an all round rider and has a fast finish.

"I'd like to be like Michele Bartoli. I like Di Luca's determination and I've always admired Gianni Bugno. I'd like to be something of all three of them. I think I'm an aggressive rider. I know what I want and try to learn something new every day," added Bucciero.

"I'm happy to be part of the Saeco team. It's a great place to learn about the world of professional cycling. I'll have to learn the ropes and serve my apprenticeship but I know if I'm determined enough I'll get a chance to show myself."

"I'm fascinated by the Tour of Flanders. Two years ago I was watching it on television and Martinelli called me on the phone and told me that one day I could win it. Now I'm going to be working with Martinelli and will soon get to ride Flanders - who knows?"

Tietieruk to work in beauty parlour?

Kazakh cyclist Andrei Tietieruk (35) is unsure about whether to continue as a pro cyclist this season. Het Nieuwsblad reports that the former CCC-Polsat rider has an offer from Marlux, but he is also considering retiring in order to work in his wife's beauty parlour.

A night with Robbie McEwen & Baden Cooke

There will be two opportunities to meet the stars of Australian cycling at this year's Jayco Geelong Bay Classic. The first, on Tuesday evening, January 7 is a Night with Robbie McEwen & Baden Cooke, hosted by Phil Liggett, and will take place in the Crown Entertainment Complex, Melbourne. The cost is $38 per head and includes finger food, wine, beer and soft drinks.

The second will be held after the conclusion of the final day of racing on January 12 at 7:00pm in the Crown Palladium, Melbourne. Hosted by Leon Wiegard and Phil Liggett, it features a panel of cyclists including Stuart O'Grady, Robbie McEwen, Cadel Evans and Baden Cooke. The cost is $85 per head and includes a three course meal.

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