News for January 26, 2003Edited by Chris Henry Less Than Zero? With suspension looming, Pantani comeback continuesBy Tim Maloney / European Editor "I've got a lot of friends who believe in me and hope to see some big results with my new team." After a recent training trip to Majorca, Marco Pantani told Italian news service Datasport that "I understand that I have to put a rock on the past and restart everything from zero. But I really have a strong desire (to come back). And I can't disappoint my team mates; they are all friends who still believe in me. I hope I can quickly bring my team back as one of the best teams. It's important to have the desire to work hard, and that's my strongest desire..." After a quick pause back home in Cesenatico, Pantani continued on his comeback quest, leaving for a three week training stint, this time in the Canary Islands off the coast of Spain. Before Marco and his faithful teammates Roberto Conti and Fabiano Fontanelli jetted west, he met with his manager Manuela Ronchi, Romano Cenni of Mercatone Uno and team manager Davide Boifava at the hypermarket chain's headquarters in Imola, Italy. Boifava will run Pantani's new Mercatone Uno-Scanavino formation, and was the team manager who originally signed Pantani when he turned pro in 1993 for Boifava's Carrera team. The expected result of this meeting, where Pantani gave his verbal OK for the deal, is that Boifava can now move ahead to resolve all the outstanding issues with the UCI regarding financial and administrative matters for the new team. But Pantani could have yet another interesting twist to his career while training in the Canaries. Although the CAF (Commissione d'Appello Federale) cleared Pantani last July 13th for the empty insulin syringe found in his room and didn't impose the 8 month suspension called for, the UCI has appealed this decision to the CAS (International Sport Arbitration court), and if the appeal goes through, Pantani will not be able to race until May 18th. Should the UCI's appeal go through, the lack of racing should have a negative impact on the Pantani comeback quest which is undoubtedly centered on the tough 2003 Giro d'Italia. Navigators thinking big in ItalyBy Chris Henry Following on a successful European campaign in 2002, the Division II Navigators team will once again take on the continental peloton this season. To get in the mood, the team is heading to Marina di Castegneto-Donoratico, Italy from February 9-17 for a pre-season training camp. Racing begins immediately after the camp in the Liguria region of Italy. "I am really excited about stretching the boundaries of the Navigators program, and testing new waters with our training camp in Toscana," team director Ed Beamon told Cyclingnews. "I expect it to be a positive experience for the guys, and should be good mental as well as physical preparation for the European part of our calendar." With the first European test set to last more than two months, the team should no doubt be prepared for the major events on home soil. As Beamon explains, the overseas trip has three main objectives: "First, we hope to increase the exposure and value for our sponsors. Second, we want to create more opportunities for American cycling to grow in the international cycling community, and provide more potential for U.S. athletes to experience and achieve in the European peloton. And finally, we think these trips provide excellent preparation for the biggest races in America." The team expects to make its American debut in April at the Redlands Classic and Sea Otter events in California, leading up to the inaugural Tour de Georgia (April 22-26). The Navigators' spring 2003 program is expected to include: Giro della Liguria (Feb19-22) In addition to the events already scheduled, Navigators will be working hard to earn invitations to several top level races in Belgium, including Het Volk and Ghent-Wevelgem, and the Tropheo Laigueglia in Italy. Always thinking ahead, Beamon is also confident that a major tour is in the team's future, though he declined to outline any specific plans just yet. 'Cross world's line upThe UCI announced Saturday the full list of riders that will contest the World Cyclo-cross Championships next weekend in Monopoli, Italy. Fifty-five riders from 15 countries will be on the starting line with hopes to become the successor of Mario De Clercq, winner of the 2002 edition in Zolder, Belgium. Of course, De Clercq himself is looking forward to being that rider. The roster for each country is as follows: Belgium (6) - Mario De Clercq, Sven Nys, Ben Berden, Tom Vannopen, Erwin
Vervecken and Bart Wellens The following riders are registered as substitutes: Arne Daelmans and Sven Vanthourenhout (Belgium), Radek Tichy (Czech Republic), Maik Mueller, Christian Wasmer and Jens Schwedler (Germany), Pietro Pavoni, Massimo Sargenti and Stefano Zanetti (Italy), Wilant Van Gils (Netherlands) and Marek Cichosz and Pawel Cierpikowski (Poland). The Belgians De Clercq, Nys and Wellens, and Dutchman Groenendaal are considered the main favourites to win a race where the absence of Vanthourenhout in favour of Vannopen is likely to be the most surprising option. Meanwhile, Dominique Arnould, recently crowned French national champion, will celebrate in Monopoli the tenth anniversary of his triumph at the World Championships held in Corva, Italy. With the World Cyclo-cross Championships back to Italy for the first time since Arnould's win in 1993, will the 36 year old rider get additional motivation and strength to do the same trick twice? Courtesy: João Cravo Superprestige round 6: HoogstratenThe sixth round of the Superprestige cyclo-cross series will be contested Sunday in Hoogstraten. With the series victory increasingly secure for Sven Nys, focus will remain on the individual victories. Nys, Mario De Clercq, Bart Wellens, and Erwin Vervecken, all showing success in the World Cup, are the heavy favorites for the day. The Hoogstraten course is a sandy one, however, and specialists Arne Daelmans and Ben Berden could steal the day. Superprestige series classification (after five rounds): 1. Sven Nys (133 points) Thirty years of Mavic neutral supportFrench wheel and component maker Mavic will celebrate 30 years of providing neutral race support at this year's Paris-Nice. The idea for a neutral support program was first broached in 1972, after Bruno Gormand lent his car to a directeur sportif whose vehicle had broken down during the Dauphiné Libéré. The following year in the 1973 Paris-Nice, Mavic's neutral support program was born, providing backup in major races ever since. LTdL: Marlux looks for GCDave Bruylandts of the Belgian Marlux-Wincor-Nixdorf team will be looking at the general classification in the upcoming Telekom Malaysia Le Tour de Langkawi, which begins at the end of the month. The Belgian Division II team, making its debut in the 10 day Tour de Langkawi, is pinning its GC hopes on Bruylandts. The 27 year-old Bruylandts, professional since 1999, produced a string of good results last year, including victory in the GP Wallonie and 16th overall in Paris-Nice, including a fifth place on top of the Col d'Eze. "We're looking to create some impact in the GC but at the same, we'll be aiming for stage honours through Charles Guilbert and Geofrrey Coupe," said Marlux team manager Didier Paindavaine. In addition, former Lampre rider Raivis Belohvosciks is tipped by the team to do well in the time trial. The full Marlux roster for Langkawi is as follows: Raivis Belohvosciks Iron Horse/Mad Catz Pro TeamIron Horse Bicycle Co., in partnership with Mad Catz Racing, has announced the formation of the Iron Horse/Mad Catz Pro Team. The San Diego, California based team will contest the full NORBA National Championship Series, UCI World Cup, Sea Otter Classic, and selected regional events and freeride competitions throughout North America, Europe, and Australia. The the four man Iron Horse/Mad Catz Team lineup brings national and world championship experience, as well as podium finishes at the NORBA National and World Cup levels. Team roster for 2003: Bryn Atkinson Iron Horse/Mad Catz sponsors and equipment suppliers include Maxxis Tires, Sram/Rock Shox, Hansen’s Energy Drink, Full Speed Ahead, Hayes Brake, Progressive Suspension, and e.thirteen components. BikeZona.com MTB teamThe BikeZona.com mountain bike team will join the off-road circuit for 2003. Counting seven riders, the team will contest events such as the Open de Euskadi, Copa Vasco-Navarra, and the Challenge de Vizcaya. Competition begins February 9 in Valdemorillo at the Open de España. Team roster: Aitor Sáez Termenón Fátima Bláquez 2003 Nebraska Cycling race calendarThe 2003 Nebraska Cycling Race Calendar will be one of the busiest ever with over 45 events. The calendar includes all disciplines, including road, MTB, cyclo-cross and other endurance events. For competitive events and other cycling related information for Nebraska, visit www.nebraskacycling.org. February 23: Panama Winter MTB Series, Panama, NE
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