Cycling News Roundup - November 15 2007
Team News: Toyota United Signs Rollin, CSC Jason McCartney, Tinkoff, Bissell. Chew - 1 Million Kilometers! RAMM, Scicon Atlas Bike Case, Vote for Volvo Life Award for Trips for Kids and more...

Toyota-United Signs Dominique Rollin
Former Canadian National Road Champion Was Third At Tour of Missouri
The Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team has signed Dominique Rollin for the 2008 season. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder is the first Canadian on the Toyota-United roster in the team’s two-year history. Rollin, 25, was the 2006 Canadian national road champion. He won nine races as a first-year professional in 2007 and finished third overall at the inaugural Tour of Missouri.

“Dominique represents one of the best of a new batch of very eager, young and talented riders from Canada,” said Toyota-United Assistant Team Director Scott Moninger. “I think he possesses extremely mature racing habits for someone of his age and the fact that he's such an all-around rider makes him ideally suited to the U.S. circuit.”

Rollin said he is excited to be a part of a winning team that is best known for its impressive lead-outs that led to a stage win at the Amgen Tour of California and two stage wins at the Tour of Missouri. “To be a part of a winning team and be one of the last men for the sprint is kind of an honor,” Rollin said. “I hope I can prove that I can be a good help to the team and get some results as well.”

Six Aussies on the current Toyota United Roster
Rollin’s addition to an already talent-laden lineup presents Toyota-United with multiple options for the competitive National Race Calendar and US ProTour circuits. He joins three other newcomers already announced to the team’s 2008 roster: Ben Day and brothers Hilton and Jonny Clarke. All three are Australians, bringing to six the number of riders from Down Under now on the Toyota-United roster.

Team CSC
Jason McCartney's European Adventure
One of Team CSC's new riders next season is American Jason McCartney. This is his first time as a professional in a European team although he began his career as an amateur in Europe for three years from 1994 till 1996, but later returned to the States to various third division teams.

In 2004 his results were so great that he got the chance to return to Europe on an American team. "Discovery Channel gave me the opportunity in 2005 and I love to race in Europe so I was very happy. But this is my first time with a professional European team – and not just any old team either! I just got the call the other day about the first training camp so I'm pretty excited about that right now," said Jason McCartney.

"I'm looking forward to being a part of Team CSC. I'm impressed with the way things are done on the team - the team work and the aggressive racing style really appeal to me so I think I'll fit in well. Of course I'm always ready to make an effort for the team, but it seems like you often get the chance to do your own thing as well with Team CSC – if you've got the strength for it, that is," continues McCartney, who' talked to Bobby Julich, Christian Vande Velde and Jens Voigt prior to joining the Danish team.

The fact that Team CSC's main sponsor is an American company is definitely an added bonus for McCartney. "It's a plus for sure. I'll probably get some more PR on account of that, with me and Bobby being the only Americans on the team right now. I don't think it'll add pressure because if you do your best that's all anyone can ask really," comments the 34-year-old rider.

The switch is still so new for McCartney that he hasn't quite had time to think about his main goals yet. "On Discovery Channel I had a specific role and I knew what to expect every year so it'll be exciting to see what's next for me now that I've switched. I'm considering it at the moment and I think maybe I'll have a more complete picture in my head after the first training camp," concludes McCartney.

Tinkoff Credit Systems - New Sponsor
The Tinkoff Credit Systems Cycling Team in collaboration with Dabliu - www.dabliu.com, the largest network of Fitness Centers in Italy, who have committed to sponsorship of the team for the coming season, will host the "cycling in cities" meeting with Tinkoff this Friday, November 16th in Rome with Evgueni Petrov (7th - G.C. 2007 Giro d'Italia) and Sergey Klimov . The first conference held in conjunction with the city council members in Naples earlier this month, was deemed a great success, and facilitated the need for more conferences throughout the larger cities of Italy. In the coming weeks, the team will announce its complete roster for the 2008 season.

Bike4 Show Track
On Sunday afternoon Bike4Show ended: in this track event took part many cycling champions and also blue-fucsia riders Baldato, Napolitano and Ballan. Baldato and Napolitano raced together, while Ballan was in a duo with Pozzato: the two finished 3rd in the overall standing, won by Bettini and Villa.

Lampre manager Pasquale Galbusera with Ballan and Baldato.
Photo courtesy Lampre/Fondital

Bissell Pro Cycling Team
Five Out of Nine Stage Wins at Tour of Southland
he BISSELL Pro Cycling Team lived up to the pre-race hype with outstanding performance at this year’s Tour of Southland with five out of nine stage wins, a day in the yellow jersey, a day in the KOM jersey, third overall in the team classification, and numerous top 10 finishes.

New Zealander, Jeremy Vennell, captured two stage victories and challenged race leaders on several finishes. The general classification might have been different except for circumstances on stages two and three. Jeremy missed a crucial break on stage two causing an insurmountable time deficit.

Team Manager Mark Olson commented on Jeremy’s outstanding performance at the tour, “We signed Jeremy months ago based on Team Director Glen Mitchell’s recommendation and we could not be happier to see him deliver on his potential already. I think Jeremy will be a force to reckon with here in the United States and will lend a great hand in helping Ben Jacques-Maynes to more success in 2008.”

Tom Zirbel, one of the team’s leading time trial specialists, captured the stage one Time Trial victory and was the first to wear yellow. Tom wrapped up the Tour of Southland on a strong note, taking the win on the final stage nine. Tom attacked with 8k’s to go and soloed in for the victory leaving New Zealand’s best track sprinters without a chance to show their sprinting speed. Tom also provided outstanding support for the team throughout the tour.

Scott Zwizanski’s tour was highlighted by a stage seven victory. Scott was in a breakaway from 16K into the 163K stage. In addition to this win, Scott worked diligently for the team and was consistently involved in breakaways. He had top five victories on stage four and five and a top 10 victory on stage two.

Omer Kem displayed his prowess on the climbs when he captured the KOM victory after stage four. Omer got fifth in stage three and achieved second place overall in the KOM classification.

The 2008 BISSELL Pro Cycling Team has started the 2008 season early and has displayed what it is capable of doing. The team has built into a contender over 2007 and the Tour of Southlands has brought it all together. This success has motivated the riders even more to train and prepare for the 2008 season. It will be exciting to see what the new season brings.

About BISSELL Inc.: A 131-year-old company, Grand Rapids-based BISSELL Inc. is a floor care innovator and international marketer of home cleaning products, including sweepers, vacuums, deep cleaning machines and cleaning formulas sold at retail locations worldwide. The company, in its fourth generation of family leadership, is the seventh oldest privately held manufacturing company in the United States.

Danny Chew Attains 1,000,000 Kilometer Mark!
Danny Chew, 2-time solo RAAM Champion, rode his 1 millionth lifetime kilometer last month. Danny rode his first double century at age 11, and as a teenager, he set a goal to ride 1,000,000 miles in his lifetime.

Danny reports: "59 miles into a 101 mile ride on a beautiful Western Pennsylvania Autumn day. At age 45, I was on County Line Rd. in Lawrence County East of New Castle with my longtime friend Jonathan Pratt. A million kilometers is 621,371 miles. It is roughly 25,000 miles around the Earth at the Equator so I have ridden the equivalent of around the world 25 times with 15 more times needed to reach a million miles.

Allowing for decrease in mileage with age, I predict I should ride my millionth mile by age 70 in the year 2,032."

“It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.”  Ernest Hemingway

ValueAct Captital Cycling Team
Courtenay Brown wins overall at the Silverman Half Ironman!
This past weekend, ValueAct Capital Cycling Team's Courtenay Brown won the Silverman Half Ironman race in Henderson, NV, just outside of Las Vegas. The race consisted of a 1.2 mile swim in Lake Mead, followed by a 56 mile bike east of the city, and finished with a 13.1 mile run in Henderson. It is considered one of the hardest half-ironman courses in the country, and it was Courtenay's first attempt at this distance.

Race morning brought strong winds but mild temperatures and a nice cloud cover to help block the desert sun. After battling the wind-driven waves for slightly longer than she would have liked, Courtenay exited the water close to 20 minutes down on the leader and set out to overtake her rivals on the bike. She was almost completely successful - only two women remained ahead of her when she started the half-marathon run. She caught the first within a mile, and the second at mile 8, then held her lead with sub-7 minute miles into the finish.

"Silverman was a fantastic way to end the season," Courtenay said. "The race was everything a race should be - hard, fair, rewarding, and very well supported by the community. I know that my road racing experience has really helped me. Now I am really excited to put in a good winter of training in preparation for the 2008 triathlon season!"

ValueAct Capital is one of the premiere value-investing firms in the United States, taking large ownership positions in publicly-traded companies and then working closely with company management to generate strong returns. ValueAct Capital is excited to sponsor a dedicated, talented cycling team that embodies the firm’s own work ethic and drive for success.

Race Across America 2008
RAAM 2008 will have a field limit of 250 racers. The early registration deadline this year is December 15th.

RAAM 1,000 Mile Race Update
Our research indicated that a 1,000 mile race would be an attractive event and fulfill an unmet need for many competitors. It's a great stepping stone from a RAAM qualifier to the full event - and there is no qualification requirement. And, more importantly, the expense commitment to participate is far less than a full crossing of RAAM. This should be an attractive benefit for the solo racers that are interested in a full RAAM, yet recognize the large investment and high risk of a successful rookie crossing. The 1,000 mile race can be accomplished with limited time away from home & work, a bare bones crew and vehicle set-up, and greatly reduced financial expenses.

Due to the enthusiasm for this event, we've extended the early registration discount for another week! We are offering significant first-timer discounts on this event if you register by November 20th. A solo entry is just $550, 2-Person Team is $850, and a 4-Person Team is $1350. These rates will go up 30% after November 20th. Register today at the RAAM Store

2007 RAAM DVD Available
The documentary of the 2007 RAAM is available on DVD for purchase at the RAAM Store. Allen Larsen, 2003 Solo RAAM Champion, has produced a compelling view of RAAM, using his extensive knowledge of the race, testimonials from outside sources, and spectacular footage from a host of cameramen on course. In a nice touch of paying respect to RAAM as the "toughest athletic event in the world," we've included comments and footage, of Wolfgang Fasching, comparing his summit of Mount Everest and his conquest of RAAM.
More info: http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/

Manchester Track - Revolution 18
World Champions complete the line up for Revolution
World Points Champion Joan Llaneras and World Madison Champion Franco Marvulli will be joined by Peter Schep and Iljo Keisse to complete the international line up at Revolution on November 17th.

Revolution - Wiggins and Marvulli in the Madison.

Llaneras and Marvulli will be sporting their rainbow jerseys along with Britain’s Bradley Wiggins who holds the world title for both the Pursuit and Team Pursuit. With Junior World Champions Thierry Jollet, Kristina Vogel, Christian Lyte, Dave Daniell and Pete Mitchell in the sprint racing there will be no less than 8 world champions on the Manchester boards this Saturday.

The six day specialists will be making the trip to Revolution off the back of the Munich six, won by Marvulli with team mate Bruno Risi. Both Marvulli and Iljo Keisse have shown great winning form so far this season with Keisse taking victory in the Amsterdam six and Marvulli preceding the Munich win with victory in Dortmund.

These riders will have a chance to put a strong British field to the test in a packed endurance programme. Highlights of the evening will include a 20km Points Race, 1km Madison Time Trial and Team Pursuit challenge where emerging British stars Andy Tennant, Jonathan Bellis and Peter Kennaugh will take on experienced Spanish trio, Sergei Escobar, Miguel Alazamora and Antonio Tauler.

To intensify the action the sprint racing will feature a clash between Great Britain, France and Germany as the worlds best junior riders come head to head for the first time since the Junior World Championships earlier this year. With national pride at stake and Revolution the focus for the season the junior sprinters will be racing full gas guaranteeing plenty of excitement for the home crowds.

International Junior Sprint Competition
Some of the world’s best junior sprinters will make the trip to the Manchester Velodrome on November 17th as Revolution hosts its second international junior sprint competition. The inaugural event at last season’s Revolution 14 witnessed some phenomenal sprint racing often exceeding the elite racing in excitement and intensity. This year the top sprinters from France and Germany will take on the best of British including Junior World Champions Dave Daniell, Christian Lyte and Pete Mitchell.

Daniell, Lyte and Mitchell took the Junior World Championships by storm this year winning the Team Sprint and taking a one two in the Keirin with Lyte beating Daniell to the title. Nations such as France and Germany are now eager to challenge the British champions and Revolution has become the main event to do so outside of the Worlds.
“Outside of the championship events there aren’t many opportunities for our riders to race against their top rivals” commented British Sprint coach Iain Dyer. “The Revolution event provides this opportunity and that’s why it is attracting a field of this calibre.”

In the men’s racing Junior Sprint World Champion Thierry Jollet will be one of the main challengers along with top German juniors Paul Kanzler and Daniel Rackwitz. With these riders in the line up double Junior World Champion Christian Lyte is relishing the chance to repeat his world’s success in front of a home crowd, “We’re all looking forward to the racing at the next Revolution. There isn’t much of an opportunity for us to race the World Cups in Olympic year so Revolution will be the focus and will give an opportunity to build confidence and test out different tactics.” “The French always provide a tough challenge” he continued. “Things were really close between us at the Junior Worlds in all the events so it will be good to race them in front of the home crowds.”

The competition will feature four teams of three riders with squads from Great Britain, the British Olympic Development Programme, France and Germany racing in sprint and team sprint events.

In the women's racing Germany will go head to head with Great Britain in a team omnium sprint competition. The line up will include Junior Sprint World Champion Kristina Vogel. The German beat Britain’s Jess Varnish to take the title so Revolution will provide the opportunity for these riders to go head to head again. Varnish hopes home advantage will give her the edge this time, “I’ve ridden that race over and over in my mind since the final and I feel even more determined to beat her now” she said. “Everyone also always seems to be up for Revolution because its great fun and the crowd are really noisy which gives you an extra buzz. It will be great to have all the power of the crowd behind me on the night.”

“The Germans are a very strong team” she continued. “But I think us British girls can give them a good competition if we all ride well. We have definitely got a chance of beating them, because on the night we all start at a level plain. How many world jerseys you have doesn’t matter, it’s all about how you race on the night! I’m definitely up for the challenge, there is going to be some exciting racing.”
Tickets for Revolution on November 17th are on sale at www.cyclingrevolution.com or by calling 0845 686 0105 or 0161 223 2244.

Slipstream/Chipotle
Felt Bicycles Extends Sponsorship for the Argyle Squad
Felt Bicycles is excited to announce the extension of its agreement with the Slipstream/Chipotle Pro Cycling Team. Considered by most to be America’s new top pro cycling team, with a significantly bigger and more international roster, the team will be racing Felt bikes through 2009. Some of the previously announced high profile 2008 additions to the team include Dave Zabriskie (USA), Christian Vandevelde (USA), Tom Danielson (USA), David Millar (GBR), Magnus Backstedt (SWE) and Julian Dean (NZL).

It is no secret that the team is planning an aggressive worldwide racing campaign, with an extended ’08 European schedule that will include the spring classics and an eye on an invite to the 2008 Tour de France.

The team will continue to race Felt’s top-of-the-line production products including the Felt DA, F1, F1 Sprint and Z1 frames and forks. The 2008 team bike graphic package will compliment their new ’08 clothing kit and will also, as expected, contain their distinctive argyle design. Representations of the new Felt Bikes below with the team's paint job.

Felt F-1 in Slipstream

In addition to the pro team, Felt will also be supporting the Slipstream developmental program(s) which have proven to be highly successful in both exposing the sport of bike racing to new audiences and acting as a launching point to the elite level of the sport.

Felt DA Slipstream Team Time Trial Bike

“We are thrilled to be secure with Felt going forward. Their products, capabilities and attention to detail are first class,” said team director Jonathan Vaughters. Their designers have already begun working with our staff and riders to insure everything is in place, beginning with our opening ‘08 event. Clearly, they are as excited as we are and we are fortunate to have such a great partner.”

Of the extension, Felt company president Bill Duehring said, “We are simply delighted to be a part of this program. Felt is buzzing with enthusiasm as Jonathan and his team embark on this next step in their journey as a pro team. To say we are excited to be a part of this would be a gross understatement.”

As in the past, fans of the team can expect to see continued promotional support by Felt, including print and online advertising, broadcast exposure, event and in-store collateral and more. New in 2008 will be the introduction of a Slipstream/Chipotle replica F1 road bike available exclusively through Felt dealers. Additional lesser expensive models will follow.

Slipstream/Chipotle is scheduled to formally debut its 2008 roster in Boulder, CO, November 14, 2007 at the Boulder Theatre. This event will include a screening of the pilot for the team's reality TV show, which will potentially air this year, plus a short film highlighting the history of Slipstream's rise to the top of American cycling.

About Felt Bicycles: Felt Bicycles is a designer, manufacturer and distributor of its own propriety branded premium quality bicycles, framesets, components and accessories. The company US headquarters are located in Irvine, CA with additional offices in Buffalo, NY and Edewecht, Germany. Felt Bicycles is an internationally recognized brand whose bicycles and products are currently sold in over 30 countries, worldwide. Athletes on Felt products have won numerous National and International events including World Championships, ESPN X-Games and other major national and international competitions. For more information on Felt Bicycles call (949) 452-9050 or log on to www.feltbicycles.com or www.feltbmx.com

About Team Slipstream/Chipotle: Owned and managed by Slipstream Sports, a sports marketing and development company, Team Slipstream, which is dedicated to promoting ethical sporting and developing the next generation of cycling champions, features some of the country's top cyclists. In 2007, Team Slipstream partnered with Agency for Cycling Ethics (ACE), to create the most progressive anti-doping system in the professional sports world. Each of the team's 23 riders will be voluntarily tested 1200 times throughout the season; 20 times the number of tests that most professional cyclists are subject to annually. For more information Additional information log on to www.slipstreamsports.com

Founding Director of Trips for Kids Named Finalist for
National Volvo for Life Award
Trips for Kids encourages patrons to vote online to help mountain bike program for inner-city kids win $100,000 grant
Trips for Kids (TFK) announces that its Founding Director Marilyn Price is a finalist for the national Volvo for Life Award and a potential cash prize of $100,000 for Trips for Kids. Organization patrons are encouraged to support Trips for Kids by casting their vote for Marilyn Price at http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/cgi-bin/iowa/english/vote/quality/index.html.

Founded in 2002, the national Volvo for Life Award honors "real-life champions who are doing extraordinary work in their communities" by giving nearly $5 million in funding and awards. Online voting determines the winners in three categories - Safety, Quality of Life, and Environment. The top finalist in each category will win $100,000 for their cause. The two semifinalists will receive $25,000 each for their non-profit organization.

"The opportunity to receive the Volvo for Life Award is great way to bring attention to our organization and the importance of getting children outdoors," said Marilyn Price, founding director of Trips for Kids. "The prize money would be a valuable asset as we continue to expand across the country."

As athlete, teacher, community organizer, mentor, youth advocate and environmentalist, Price is being honored as a candidate in the Quality of Life category. Starting Trips for Kids in 1988, Price has been ahead of a growing national campaign to Leave No Child Inside. Her enthusiasm has inspired hundreds of others to join her in taking inner city kids for mountain bike rides. While the flagship program is going strong in the Bay Area, there are now 57 similar Trips for Kids chapters across the country. Over 38,000 low-income youth in the United States and Canada have experienced the joy and challenge of a Trips for Kids mountain bike ride.

From now until January 7, 2008, individuals can log online and decide who wins the Volvo for Life Award. To support Trips for Kids, cast a vote online for Marilyn Price. Please be aware that any votes submitted from a Web browser that does not accept cookies will not be counted. For a complete list of rules, please see http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/cgi-bin/iowa/english/rules/index.html.

The top candidate in all three categories will also receive a Volvo for life. Ironically, when Price started the organization twenty years ago, she would load her 1974 Volvo wagon with 11 mountain bikes (eight on top, two on back, and one inside!) and head out to the trailhead. There she would meet prearranged groups of inner-city kids and lead them on a mountain bike adventure.

For more information about the Volvo for Life Awards please visit www.volvoforlifeawards.com. For more information about Trips for Kids visit www.tripsforkids.org.

About Trips for Kids: Trips for Kids is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit based in San Rafael, California. Trips for Kids started in 1988 as a grass roots effort by avid mountain biker, environmentalist, and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame inductee, Marilyn Price. Its programs give underserved youth a chance to experience the joy and challenge of mountain biking, while learning valuable life skills and an appreciation for the outdoors. There are currently 57 Trips for Kids chapters across the United Stated and Canada, with more on the way. For more information please visit www.tripsforkids.org.

Bike Biz
SCICON TECHNICAL BAGS
INTRODUCES THE NEW ATLAS™ BIKE CASE
2 years of R&D and the collaboration of pro teams to make one of the best bike bags in the world.
It is not rare for a bicycle to arrive damaged at destination, after a journey. However, this risk can be reduced or even eliminated with the new Atlas bike case made by SCI’CON, an Italian Company leader in this market since 1980.

Atlas by SCI’CON is a completely new concept in the world of bike transport bags. It's suitable for all frame sizes, including full suspension mountain bikes.

The extraordinary ease of stowing the bicycle in Atlas by SCI’CON (you only have to remove the wheels), the quickness of this operation, the big space to store your gears and the chance to transport until 4 bike wheels, make Atlas by SCI’CON a truly unique product.

Atlas by SCI’CON is the solution for cyclists wishing to protect their precious Bike in case of frequent travel by plane, and who do not want to use hard bike case. Atlas by SCI’CON offers the flexibility and lightness of a soft bag, combined with the stability and safety of a Hard Box and an excellent stress resistance.

Manufactured in extra strong Polyester 1680 Denier with water repellent treatment. Inside chamber padded with high density foam. Equipped with extra strong 5mm thickness plastic structure of reinforcement, coupled with padding of 5 cm (1,97 “) thickness all around the bag to offer good protection and extra safety. Your bike is securely cushioned in foam and protected with a super tough polypropylene shell.

Innovative transport system. The only one in his category. Double four-wheel bogies on each side of the fuselage. The two bogies at the front are steerable. Total 18 wheels of 4 cm diameter (1,57”) support Atlas in every terrain condition and warrant a strong point of contact to the ground. Never seen in any bike bags !

Atlas by SCI’CON is guaranteed worldwide for 2 years. SCI’CON was the 2007 Bike bags official supplier of Discovery, Liquigas, Barloworld.

The main features of Atlas by SCI’CON are:
* Total Weight: 14,300 Kg / 504,41 oz
* Total Weight without perimetral padded side: : 13,500 Kg / 476,19 oz
* External Dimensions:
120cm (length) x 42cm (depth) x 85cm (height)
47,24” (length) x 16,53” (depth) x 33,46” (height)
* Inside dimensions with perimetral padded side:
109cm (lenght), 23cm (depth), 68cm (height)
42,91” (lenght), 9,05” (depth), 26,77” (height)
* Inside dimensions without perimetral padded side:
117cm (lenght), 23cm (depth), 78cm (height)
46,06” (lenght), 9,05” (depth), 30,70” (height)

Scicon bags are distributed in the USA by Albabici L.L.C. Founded by Italians, Gianluca Caliari and Alessandro Godi, Albabici LLC has over twenty years direct experience in marketing Italian goods and services within the European and US market. Our background in marketing is complemented by a profound understanding of Italian and international trade.
Telephone: 805-385-3179 - Fax: 805-385-3189
Information: info@albabici.com
Dealership Inquiries: sales@albabici.com 

Cycling’s Greatest Misadventures
Special offer: Buy 3 get 1 free
From now through Christmas Wilderness Press is offering a buy-3-get-1-free special on the book Cycling’s Greatest Misadventures. To order call Wilderness Press at 800-443-7227 or 510-558-1666 and give them the code Cycling2007. Take advantage of this $68.00 retail value for only $28.00 plus shipping.

Cycling’s Greatest Misadventures
Edited By Erich Schweikher and Paul Diamond
Cycling’s Greatest Misadventures presents twenty-seven true stories which cross the spectrum from terrifying to comical to downright bizarre. In these pages both everyday riders and pros tell their stories of freak accidents, animal attacks, sabotage, idiotic decisions, eerie or unexplained incidents, and other jaw dropping, adrenalin-pumping calamities. These stories bring to life the strange possibilities that await us once we step on the pedals of our road, mountain, or commuter bikes.

Book Details: www.thebikebook.com
Paperback: 250 pages
Distributor: Wilderness Press
ISBN 10: 0-9769516-2-2
ISBN 13: 978-0-9769516-2-9
Retail Price: $16.95
Illustrations: 50 photos, including a bike crash photo gallery
Contact: Wilderness Press, 800-443-7227
Special Offer Code: Cycling2007

WADA News
WADA Strengthens Fight against Doping in Sport
More than 1,500 Representatives Convene at Historic Third World Conference, Debate Future Strategies and Revise World Anti-Doping Code The Third World Conference on Doping in Sport, officially opening tomorrow in Madrid, Spain, will mark a major milestone in the strengthening of global efforts to combat doping in sport through its consideration of the revised World Anti-Doping Code (Code).

"Doping is without doubt the greatest threat ethical sport has ever known and has become so pervasive that it places public health at grave risk," said World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) President Richard W. Pound. "It is incumbent upon the Sport Movement and Governments of the world to continue to bolster efforts to battle the scourge of doping, which is what they will do during this Third World Conference on Doping in Sport, by approving refinements to the World Anti-Doping Code and by discussing emerging trends and strategies for continued progress."

At the World Conference, organized by WADA with the support of the Spanish High Council for Sport, more than 1,500 representatives of public authorities, the Sport Movement, the anti-doping community, athletes, observers, and the media will convene to review the major advances that have been made in the fight against doping since WADA's inception in late 1999, and what strategies will be needed in the future.

As such, the chief topic of discussion will be the Revised World Anti-Doping Code, the core document adopted in 2003 by the Sport Movement and Governments of the world as the framework for the global harmonized fight against doping in sport. The purpose of the revision is to leverage the experience gained to date and to strengthen anti-doping programs worldwide.

The World Conference will be held over a period of two and a half days, from November 15 - 17. Sessions on Day 1 (November 15) will provide a forum for the review of progress in specific areas of the fight against doping, such as science, education, finance and the athletes' role, as well as the future landscape of anti-doping. Day 2 (November 16) will be dedicated to the Revised World Anti-Doping Code and interventions made by delegates from the Governments and the Sports Movement. On the morning of Day 3 (November 17), Conference Conclusions and Resolutions will be considered for adoption.

"We expect the milestones reached at this Third World Conference to be as significant as those reached during the first two conferences in their advances made to protect the athletes' health and their right to clean competition, as well as youth worldwide who admire athletic heroism and aspire to excel in sport," continued Pound. "The forward momentum created at the First World Conference of 1999, which led to the establishment of WADA as the international independent body to coordinate and monitor the global fight against doping, and continued by the Second World Conference of 2003, which saw the adoption of the Code by Sport and Governments as the basis for the global harmonized fight against doping in sport, will most surely be furthered in the strengthening of the Code this week."

Concurrently, WADA's decision-making bodies—Executive Committee and Foundation Board—will hold their annual November meetings. The WADA Executive Committee will meet on November 14 and 16, to consider several items for action, including:

* Revised World Anti-Doping Code: The Executive Committee will discuss the draft revised Code (version 3.0) that was published on October 15, in advance of the November 17 Foundation Board meeting at which time the revised Code will be considered for adoption.
* Revised International Standards: The Committee will consider the revisions to the International Standards for Testing and for Laboratories to identify next steps.
* Code Compliance Reporting: The Executive Committee will discuss strategies for the monitoring of stakeholder compliance with the Code.
* Social Science Research: Recommendations of the WADA Education Committee for the allocation of grants under the 2008 Social Science Research program will be considered by the Committee.

The WADA Foundation Board will meet twice on November 17, at 10h00 and at 14h00. At the 10h00 meeting, the WADA Foundation Board will, upon recommendation from the WADA Executive Committee, consider for approval the Revised World Anti-Doping Code.

At the 14h00 meeting, the WADA Foundation Board will make several important decisions relating to:
* New Leadership: The Board is scheduled to consider for election the candidates presented by the Governments for WADA's next Chair, and by the Sports Movement for WADA's next Vice Chair, whose three-year terms begin on January 1, 2008.
* New Membership: As is consistent with the agenda for the Foundation Board's annual November meeting, the Board will appoint the 2008 Executive Committee, and approve the 2008 Foundation Board and Standing Committee memberships.
* Budget: The Foundation Board also will consider for approval the 2008 Budget, as recommended by the Executive Committee.
Additional information in relation to the Conference can be found at www.wadamadrid2007.com, available in English, Spanish and French. Live Web casts, daily recordings and daily summaries of the plenary sessions of the Conference will also be available from this Web site.

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