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Giro finale
Photo ©: Bettini

Latest News for May 2, 2003

Edited by Jeff Jones

No UCI help for Gonzalez de Galdeano

The UCI says it has no power to intervene in the Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano case, which could mean that he misses out on this year's Tour after the French anti-doping council (CPLD) suspended him from racing on French soil because of a positive drug test during last year's Tour. Although the UCI ruled at the time that it wasn't a positive test, the CPLD adopted the more stringent World Anti-Doping Agency rules in its decision to sanction the ONCE rider.

"Gonzalez de Galdeano was called up three times by the French council for a hearing where he could have defended himself," UCI president Hein Verbruggen told Algemeen Dagblad. "He did not show up three times. Then it's logical that he should be suspended. Furthermore, the UCI has no jurisdiction in the case, because the French anti-doping council is a ruling body. It can suspend anyone for French races. Nevertheless I find it unbelievable that ONCE team manager Saiz has let it get so far, and Gonzalez de Galdeano has not been to any hearings yet."

Kelme for the Giro

The Kelme-Costa Blanca team, the only Spanish squad riding the Giro d'Italia this year, has announced a nearly complete roster for the race. Although there will be no Aitor Gonzalez this year, the team is still strong enough to make an impression in Italy, led by Adolfo and Carlos Garcia Quesada. Sprinter Isaac Galvez will start as well.

The team, with one rider yet to be named is as follows: Isaac Gálvez, Ignacio Gutiérrez, Adolfo Garcia Quesada, Carlos Garcia Quesada, Jordi Riera, Alexis Rodríguez, Julián Usano, Constantino Zaballa.

Team Coast takes shape for the Tour

Jan Ullrich will be taking a leaf out of a certain Lance Armstrong's book in his final preparations for the Tour de France, which begins on July 5 in Paris. In between his racing appointments in the next two months, Ullrich and the team will take time out to ride a few of the more important Tour stages, including the team time trial between Joinville and Saint-Dizier.

The Team Coast captain will race in four more races before the Tour, including the Vuelta Asturias, Rund um Hainleite, Deutschland Tour and the Tour de Suisse, a much heavier schedule than Armstrong, who will do just the Dauphiné Libéré.

Team Coast director Rudy Pevenage has already got an idea of who will ride in the Tour team, with Spaniards Angel Casero, David Plaza, Aitor Garmendia and Manuel Beltran, as well as Daniel Becke, Tobias Steinhauser, Thomas Liese and Jan Ullrich in the picture. The emphasis is obviously on strengthening the team for the general classification and the mountains, rather than winning stages with sprinters.

USPS interested in Devolder

After some good performances in the early season classics, Vlaanderen-T Interim's Stijn Devolder has attracted the attention of the US Postal-Berry Floor team, according to a report in Het Nieuwsblad. Assistant directeur sportif Dirk Demol took note of Devolder's third place in the E3 Prijs, among other good rides, and there is a reasonable chance that Devolder will find himself in USPS next year.

On the other hand, Vlaanderen-T Interim will gain the services of cyclo-crosser Wesley Van der Linden, who will turn professional with them next year.

SBS announces Tour de France coverage

Australian free-to-air channel SBS has announced its programming schedule for the 2003 Tour de France. This year's coverage will be bigger than ever, including an evening (6:00pm) highlights package with late night repeats and live coverage of three stages of the Tour. This is the only opportunity that Australian viewers will have to follow the event on free-to-air television.

One of the world's best known cycling commentators, Phil Liggett, will call every stage, while SBS' own Michael Tomalaris, who has eight years of Tour experience, will also contribute reports directly from France.

SBS has also announced its cycling programming schedule for the rest of the year, beginning with Paris-Roubaix highlights this Sunday, May 4 at 11:00am. Note that some times have yet to be confirmed.

Sunday May 4: Paris - Roubaix (Highlights 11.00am)
Sunday May 11: Australian Track Championships, Sydney (Highlights 10.30am)
Sunday May 25: Liege - Bastogne - Liege (Highlights 11.30am)
Sunday June 1: UCI Track Cycling World Cup, Moscow, Russia (Highlights 11.00am)
Sunday June 8: UCI Track Cycling World Cup, Aguascalientes, Mexico (Highlights 11.00am)
Sunday June 15: UCI Track Cycling World Cup, Cape Town, South Africa (Highlights 11.00am)
Sunday June 22: UCI Track Cycling World Cup, Sydney, Australia (Highlights 11.00am)
Sunday July 6 - Monday July 28: Tour De France
Nightly Highlights at 6.00 pm
Late Night Repeats
3 live stages (All times are AEST)
Stage 8 - July 13: Sallances - L'Alpe D'Huez: 10.50pm
Stage 14 - July 20: Saint Girons - Loudenville: 10.50pm
Stage 20 - July 27: Ville D'Avray - Paris Champs Elysees: 10.50pm

Sunday September 28: National & Oceania Road Championships (Highlights 11.00am)
Sunday October 26: Paris -Tours (Highlights 10.30am)

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