Latest News for March 25, 2003

Edited by Chris Henry

Gonzalez de Galdeano decision within two weeks

The decision by the Conseil de Prévention et Lutte contre le Dopage (CPLD) on whether or not to sanction Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (ONCE-Eroski) is expected to be announced within 10-15 days. Gonzalez de Galdeano faces a possible suspension by the CPLD, the French anti-doping authority, for his positive control for salbutamol during the 2002 Tour de France.

Gonzalez was not present at Monday's hearing in Paris, nor did he have any representation. No other information concerning the hearing were made available.

More talk of a more challenging Primavera

Although Paolo Bettini's win in Saturday's Milan-San Remo was the first successful breakaway since 1996, talk has already begun anew about making the parcours more challenging, according to an article in La Dernière Heure. In fact, race organisers have already made plans for modifications to the event for 2004, beginning with a possible start just outside of Milan, although this change is in response to logistical concerns rather than a more difficult course for the riders.

The penultimate climb of the race, the Cipressa, is not considered a selective enough hurdle for the peloton, and may be replaced by a more difficult climb. A possible replacement could come, as does the Cipressa, after the town of Imperia. The goal remains the same: deny the peloton a mass sprint.

Needless to say, not everyone is happy about the idea, most of all Italy's sprint king and current world champion, Mario Cipollini (winner of the 2002 event). "Why give in to this new trend among organisers to always make the races more difficult?" Cipollini asked. "Sprinters often win in San Remo? So what? As it is, they don't have many big races in which to show their talents. And don't mention the world championships, where a sprinter can only hope to win once every ten years!"

RONA/Esker's French connection performs in Italy

RONA/Esker's French stars Magali Le Floc'h and Catherine Marsal each had good performances in La Primavera Rosa, the Italian leg of the Women's Cycling World Cup. The race was won by world time trial champion Russian Zoulfia Zabirova, of Team Prato Marathon Bike.

Le Floc'h and Marsal, who entered the Primavera with their French national team, finished 7th and 39th, respectively. Le Floc'h finished at the front of the chasing group, while Marsal animated the race first by taking part in a significant breakaway launched at kilometre 60, then by preparing the finish for her teammates during the chase for Zabirova, who managed a solo breakaway 25 kilometres before the finish.

"My job was to lead the three French sprinters selected for this race, Le Floc'h, Virginie Moinard and Sophie Creux," Marsal explained after the race. "They all made top ten, so I am pleased with the result."

Le Floc'h's sprint didn't go quite as planned, crowded out of a higher placing. "But I'm satisfied with my state of form early in the season and I feel ready for the Redlands Classic in California next week," she said. Redlands will be Le Floc'h's second race in North America.

Italian cycling reaches out to fans

The Association of Italian professional cycling riders bought a page in last Saturday's Gazzetta dello Sport to offer an open letter to the public. Amedeo Colombo, elected ACCPI president several weeks ago, proposed the idea in Porto San Giorgio on March 17, at a meeting attended by many of the riders of Tirreno-Adriatico.

"The riders supported the idea enthusiastically and have recognized themselves in the message which aims to refresh their values and their credibility, and applies to everyone (not only athletes) for the utmost honesty," explained Colombo.

Last Saturday in Milan, before the start of Milan-San Remo, each rider gave a copy of the page to one person chosen casually in the public. The exercise was a symbolic gesture wanted to show the affection between the bunch and "the people".

The ACCPI has provided the following translation of the letter:

"Beauty in Cycling"

Are you thinking about our champion, aren't you?
Of course, this makes us think of his beauty... but not only.
Beauty in cycling is the fact that today we come back to colour our roads, the love between the peloton and the people renews, in San Remo one of us will win and the other will lose without feeling losers. And so on day by day...
Beauty in cycling is our sweat, is the sacrifice of pedaling with our legs and our hearts on roads smelling of life, history, adventures.
Beauty in cycling is the fact that we will continue to undergo the more effective and frequent doping tests (we, the riders wanted them and we are proud of it!).
Beauty in cycling is your capability to understand that among all sports ours is the most authentic and bright one: an allegory of life with its joys, pains, and its marvelous and cruel contradictions.
Beauty in cycling is you, sportsmen more than supporters.
Beauty in cycling? It is we.

Italian Professional Riders

P.S.: Talking about doping: if you act badly, you have to pay. We are the first claiming it. But the people who dope the truth for the sake of a scoop or an hour of "celebrity", they have to pay too...

Amedeo Colombo
President of the Italian Professional Riders Association

Moreau hoping for improvement

After an early season plagued by fatigue and poor recovery, Christophe Moreau (Crédit Agricole) is slowly working his way back to being competitive. Moreau was simply unable to keep pace in the French races of February, suffering off the back in the Tour Med and Tour du Haut Var. The Crédit Agricole leader was not picked for Paris-Nice, originally planned as his first objective of the season. "He understood perfectly that it wasn't possible, although he was quite upset," team director Roger Legeay told l'Equipe.

Following promising performances at the GP Erik Breukink (7th in the time trial) and Cholet-Pays de Loire, Moreau is finding his rhythm. "Little by little I'm finding my condition," said Moreau. "This weekend I'm going to the Criterium International, hoping to do a good criterium and a good time trial. I'm not saying I'll win, but I want to be in the action."

The season may not have started well, but Moreau's main objectives remain the Dauphiné Libéré, and most of all the Tour de France. Moreau's 2002 Tour ended after a series of crashes, but the Frenchman looks forward to playing his hand in 2003. "Behind Armstrong there are places to be had," he explained. "The podium or a top five finish is mine for the taking."

Saeco regroups at Settimana Internazionale Coppi & Bartali

After a second place behind Paolo Bettini (Quick-Step) at Milan-San Remo, Saeco's Mirko Celestino will be back in action at the Settimana Internazionale Coppi & Bartali (March 26-30). Celestino will be joined by Saeco's leaders Danilo Di Luca and Gilberto Simoni, as well as sprinter Ivan Quaranta to form a powerful team for the Italian stage race. Di Luca will be looking for success following the frustration of losing the overall lead at Tirreno-Adriatico on the race's final day. The remainder of the team for the Settimana Internazionale includes Fabio Sacchi, Antonio Bucciero, Andrea Tonti, Alessio Galletti and Cristian Pepoli.

UK Amateur Dan Fleeman injured in training

Dan Fleeman, a 20-year-old Elite rider and member of Team Lichfield, was seriously injured by a motorist during a training ride last Wednesday. Dan was returning home when a motorist pulled out on him in the village of Armitage, near Lichfield. Dan suffered severe damage to both his legs and was rushed to hospital in Burton upon Trent, where x-rays revealed that he had smashed both kneecaps. An operation on Friday wired up one kneecap, while the other was completely removed.

Dan was riding with Team Lichfield after he spent last year riding full-time for the French UCD Nord '87 Division III team. He had highlighted the British National U23 series and championship as his main objectives for the year. Two years ago Dan rode for a Belgian team based in Ghent, but decided that in 2003 he would ride in the UK as part of Team Lichfield.

Team Lichfield and Lichfield City CC wish Dan a speedy recovery and hope to see him back on the bike as soon as possible. Dan has already made great progress since the accident and subsequent operation and is very determined to fully recover as soon as he can. Cyclingnews also extends its best wishes for a full recovery.

Bomax Junior Cycle Tour

South Africa's top junior riders will line up to tackle this year's Bomax Junior Cycle Tour. The race takes place in Ermelo, Mpumalanga from Friday, March 28 to Monday, March 31.

This year could could be the last in the race's current form, as it is set to become a full international junior tour next year. Stages are changing to bring the tour in line with other junior tours overseas, with more criteriums bringing faster and more intense racing, and more spectators.

The Bomax tour has in the past helped young up and coming cyclists get the necessary exposure to move up in the ranks. Last year's winner, Eckard Bergh, is now riding in Minolta colours. The line up for this year's tour includes the likes of current South African Junior Road Champion Leon Nel, who will be riding for the Y.C.A 1 team. He will be up against Finish Line Cycles' Egan Tarr and Reynold Smith (C.V.T), who are contenders for the top position.

CapTech Classic upgraded; Charity announced

Organizers of the CapTech Classic (May 30, 2003) announced that USA Cycling has upgraded the event's National Ranking Calendar (NRC) status for the men's race from 1.7 to 1.5, offering more points towards the series ranking and points competition.

The CapTech Classic is a one-day, professional cycling event offering more than $12,500 in prize money. The event features professional men's and women's teams on a spectator-friendly, .9 mile course in downtown Richmond, Virginia. The schedule will also feature races for corporate and police teams.

Race organisers also announced the creation of The CapTech Foundation, Inc., a Virginia non-profit corporation that will operate the event. The Foundation's goals include economic development for the City of Richmond, health education, and charitable giving through the creation of high-profile sporting events and activities. Proceeds from this year's event will benefit VCU Medical Center's Emergency Department in Richmond.

Midwestern State University seeks cycling director

Midwestern State University (MSU), located in Wichita Falls, Texas, has announced an invitation for nominations and applications for the position of Director of the MSU Cycling Team, Team Arrow. Reporting directly to the Vice President for Academic Services, the Director of the MSU Cycling Team is responsible for the overall daily operations of the cycling program.

The Cycling Team Board of Directors will begin reviewing applications on April 15, and continue until the position is filled. Position start date is September 1, 2003.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Robert E. Clark
Vice President for Academic Services
Midwestern State University
3410 Taft Blvd.
Wichita Falls, TX 76308

Or visit www.mwsu.edu/~cycling

(All rights reserved/Copyright Knapp Communications Pty Limited 2003)