Women back in action

The women are returning to action this weekend, with the Bochumer Sparkassen Giro in Germany on Saturday and the Open de Suede Vargarda World Cup race Saturday in Sweden.

The Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung is severely handicapped by illnesses and injuries at the moment, and will be able to send only four riders to each race. "But we won't concede defeat and want to finish high in both races," said Team Manager Jens Zemke.

Nürnberger for Bochum: Charlotte Becker, Claudia Häusler, Regina Schleicher and Claudia Stumpf.

Flexpoint: Loes Markerink, Iris Slappendel, Suzanne van Veen and Madeleine Sandig.

Nürnberger for World Cup: Trixi Worrack, Eva Lutz, Andrea Graus and Marie Lindberg.

Team Flexpoint for World Cup: Susanne Ljungskog, Loes Gunnewijk, Mirjam Melchers, Luise Keller, Amber Neben and Trine Schmidt.