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First Edition News for March 15, 2003

Edited by Jeff Jones & Chris Henry

Natalia Kivilev to stay in France

Following the tragic death of her husband Andrei in Paris-Nice, Natalia Kivilev has reportedly indicated a desire to continue living in France. Though she awaits the arrival of family members from Kazakhstan, Mrs. Kivilev will likely decide to bury her husband in Sorbiers, France. Wednesday morning, following news of Andrei Kivilev's passing, the Cofidis team management began to work with the French government to facilitate travel visas for Kivilev's family in Kazakhstan.

A tragic reminder for Clara Hughes

Canadian cyclist/speed skater Clara Hughes reflected on the death of Andrei Kivilev, recalling her own sentiments after the loss of Nicole Reinhart's in 2000. Hughes knows the roads of southern France well, having raced in the Tour de l'Aude. Currently preparing for the world speed skating championships, Hughes shared her thoughts in an article in Speed Skating Canada.

"As I watched [Wednesday's] stage of Paris-Nice, the neutralised procession of racers going the distance in unified sorrow, the teammates of the Cofidis rider riding just ahead of the peloton looking numb, I began to think of what Nicole's death has meant to me," Hughes said, "someone lucky enough to come out of some pretty horrific crashes bruised and battered, a girl fortunate enough to have had the opportunities of living her dreams."

Hughes reflected on her experience in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, with an understanding of the scope of sporting achievements and how athletes come to see the bigger picture. "Sport is something that parallels the human struggle - the will to succeed, the agony of defeat, the hero path," she wrote. "I think humanity needs heroes for us to continue, and sport is something that has the potential to display excellence as a human being, not just glory and winning."

"Sport has taught me to live," Hughes added. "I mean really live each day to its fullest, to thrive in something that I love to do, to have a dream and have the courage to follow it. It has taught me to break down the barriers of limits, from within and others as well. It has shown me that if you truly believe, and do all within your power to work and prepare for what you want to do, that anything is possible. Anything."

Courtesy: Speed Skating Canada

Brown in hospital after TA crash

Panaria's Graeme Brown has been taken to hospital following a crash in the second stage of Tirreno-Adriatico, from Sabaudia to Tarquinia. The accident occurred with 15 km to go as the pack was winding it up for the sprint finish. Enrico Cassani (Alessio) and Olaf Pollack (Gerolsteiner) were also involved, but they were not seriously injured.

Brown's brother Rod told Cyclingnews that Brown was concerned by muscle twitches in his back and butt and was also coughing up blood, but examinations at the hospital revealed that there was nothing broken. Brown's problems didn't end there, as he was kept awake by the loud snoring coming from the bed next to him. Brown will remain in hospital under observation for the next three days, but is keen to get out in time for Milan-San Remo next Saturday (and away from the snoring).

Gates in training accident

Nick Gates (Lotto Domo) was involved in an accident whilst out training with fellow Australians Henk Vogels, Jason Phillips, and Scott McGory in Cologne. A car turned into the group and collided with Nick. He received minor abrasions, but was not seriously hurt.

Higginson and Neiwand back on the track

By Gerard Knapp

Gary Neiwand
Photo: © AFP

This Saturday night will see a return to competition for two of Australia's brightest stars of the track cycling. After their respective two-year layoffs following the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Lyndelle Higginson and world champion and Olympic silver medallist Gary Neiwand will hit the boards of the Vodafone Arena in Melbourne as part of the Fitzroy Cycles Austral Wheelrace night of track racing.

However, the two track cyclists have somewhat different ambitions for the evening. At 24, Higginson still has a bright future ahead of her and has been in training for the past four months, while Neiwand only decided on the day before the Austral that he would enter the prestigious handicap, one of the richest events in Australian track cycling and said to be the longest-running track cycling event in the world.

The two-year break has affected the cyclists quite differently. Higginson was one of only three female competitors selected to represent her country at the Sydney games and then at 21, hung up her wheels after competing on the track since she was four years old. Towards the end of last year, she started training regularly is now keen to resume her place among the leading track cyclists in the country.

During her lay-off, Higginson lost some eight kilograms, while Neiwand gained a lot more. "I'm fat, unfit and 36," he joked. "I'll be doing well if I last three laps of the handicap (Wheelrace)." Even so, organisers have put Neiwand off a 50 metre handicap, which in Wheelrace terms is at the sharp end of the field. The fastest track riders in the country are likely to be 50 metres behind Neiwand on the scratch mark when the gun fires for his heat.

Full story

U.S. Elite road nationals

USA Cycling announced Friday that the Seven Springs Mountain Resort will host the 2003 Elite Road Nationals on May 21-22. The time trial event will be held on Wednesday, May 21, with the road race on Thursday the 22nd. The Seven Springs resort, located southeast of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, hosted the NORBA National Championships from 1997-99.

Course details have not yet been finalized, though the parcours for the two events should be available within a few weeks.

Reigning US national champions:

Men's road race: Scottie Weiss (West Virginia Pro Cycling)
Men's time trial: Dylan Casey (retired)

Women's road race: Jessica Phillips (Team Saturn)
Women's time trial: Kimberly Bruckner (Team T-Mobile)

24 Hours Of Adrenalin withdraws from NORBA

Trilife Sports International, the organisers of the 24 Hours of Adrenalin mountain bike team relay events, has announced its withdrawal from its six year association with USA Cycling. The nine event 24 Hours of Adrenalin series that takes place across America will continue as planned throughout 2003.

The organisers claim that the impact on competitors will be minimal, as "fewer than 20% of the 2002 24 Hours of Adrenalin participants hold a NORBA license, making the need for NORBA sanctioning and insurance coverage unimportant to them."

While TSI has suspended its association with NORBA for the 2003 season, an ongoing dialogue continues between the two parties.

Team 2002 Aurora RSM

The Team 2002 Aurora RSM women's professional team was presented in San Marino, Italy. The team features a star-studded lineup, including 2001 world champion Rasa Polikeviciute and three-time Grande Boucle Féminine/four-time Giro d'Italia winner Fabiana Luperini. The team is directed by Stefano Della Santa and William Dazzani.

Team roster

Yasumitsu-Schlapp track team

Britain's leading track cycling team Yasumitsu-Schlapp has gained the sponsorship support of Aztec Conservatory Roof Systems for the next three years. Further support for the team comes from Impsport cycle clothing.

With top riders including multi national champion Jon Norfolk, national squad member Denise Hampson, Commonwealth Games rider Joby Ingram-Dodd and world masters champion Ellen Hunter, plus a host of other champions and up and coming riders, Yasumitsu-Schlapp looks set for another champion year.

As well as developing some of the country's best riders, the Yasumitsu-Schlapp team is also promoting two track race meetings this summer on May 17th and on July 2nd (the Aztec Conservatories Meeting), both at the Manchester Velodrome, home to the 1996 and 2000 world championships and 2002 Commonwealth Games.