Tour de France News for May 17, 2003 Edited by Chris Henry Bianchi official The Professional Cycling Council (PCC) has given the OK for Bianchi to take over for the embattled Team Coast. Bianchi is granted a place as a Division I team, although not all of Team Coast's rights and privileges have been transferred to the new formation. Most importantly, the new Bianchi team is not yet automatically granted entry into the grand tours, as normal Top Club (top ten ranked) teams are. A new venture to be run by former Dutch pro Jacques Hanegraaf and directeur sportif Rudy Pevenage joins Bianchi in establishing the new team, which will continue to employ the services of Jan Ullrich. In fact, the PCC stipulated that its support for the new venture was contingent upon a concerted effort to provide contracts to all Coast riders and team staff. Tour participation uncertain The usual bank guarantees and proof of the team's viability are expected to be provided to the UCI and PCC within the next ten days, although this transfer of power could not come at a more critical moment. With the Société du Tour de France planning its announcement of the final four wild card selections on Monday, May 19, the new Bianchi team will have to do some quick work to instill confidence in the Tour organisers that it is a viable formation. Daniel Baal, right hand man to Jean-Marie Leblanc, told l'Equipe again Friday that the new team's invitation to the Tour is not a simple formality. "It's not an option to select a team that has not yet been made formal," Baal commented. "A team with Ullrich offers a lot in our eyes, but the administrative issues need to be solved." That appears to be the party line for the Tour at this point. Ullrich is considered a major asset for the Tour, but given the self-destruction of Team Coast, the Tour de France is not prepared to risk yet another team implosion, particularly in the middle of July. Therefore, Monday will bring the expected team announcements, but five teams will be named, not four. Should Bianchi provide the necessary assurances in very short order, Ullrich and his weary teammates should be given a ride at the Tour. However, if Baal and Leblanc consider the situation to be in too great a state of flux, the team's woes will continue with a non-selection to the most important race of the year. (All rights reserved/Copyright Knapp Communications Pty Limited 2003)

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