Cycling News Roundup 18 March 2008
Team News, Boyle on Vatican top Ten, Luis Leon Sanchez, Redlands Classic Honors
Scott Moninger, Frankie Andreu - ZTeam, Encino Velodrome, Battenkill, Tour Down
Under 09, Credit Agricole Camp
Saunier Duval/Scott
Red Birds Report Tirreno - Adriatico
A crash 15 kilometres before the finish line split the peloton, curtailing
Saunier Duval/Scott´s chances of success and relegating our men to a second
bunch, with sprinters like Oscar Freire (Rabobank), Paolo Bettini (Quick Step)
and Tom Boonen (Quick Step).
Taking stock of this race, coach Pietro Algeri
said, "Luck couldn't have been worse. Despite our moderate results in
the early season, we soon realized Riccò was focused and in good shape. His
incident with Gerdemann in stage 2 prevented him from basking in victory, and on
the following day he couldn't capitalize on our good teamwork because we fell
down in the decisive stretch. There's nothing you can do about these kind of
things."
Ricardo Riccò
"The rest of the team rode well, but there was no leader to finish it off. No
Ricardo's hip and back hurt, so we'll see if he´s able to ride on Saturday. He's
been taking an anti-inflammatory for a couple of days. I hope he can make it;
he's in good shape, but the pain is hard to bear when you know there is 300
kilometres ahead. He's visiting an osteopath tomorrow, and after our training
session on Thursday we'll come to a decision”.
Red Birds for Milan-San Remo, on Saturday
Saunier Duval/Scott will compete in the 99th edition of Milan-San Remo. The "red
birds" will be led by Riccardo Riccò if he gets better by Saturday. The team
will also include Manuele Mori, José Alberto Benítez, Ermanno Capelli, Eros
Capecchi, Aurelien Passeron, Ángel "Litu" Gómez and Raivis Belohvosciks. If
Riccò doesn´t feel well, Pagliarini will take his place.
Team Lampre Tirreno - Adriatico
Second place for Danilo Napolitano in the final sprint in Tirreno-Adriatico. In
San Benedetto del Tronto Lampre sprinter crossed the finish line behind the
winner Chicchi, showing increasing form.
Lampre had to suffer for Ballan's fall: he hit the ground with other riders
at 15 kms to the arrival and he suffered for a bruised buttock. Ballan also lost
1'34" and so he dropped from the 8th place to the 13th of the overall standing,
won by Cancellara. Other riders were damaged by the fall and so Vila found
himself in the top ten of the final classification: he's 9th at 2'34".
Lampre's Danilo Napolitano second to Chicchi on the final stage.
Photo c. Lampre
"It's a pity not having won and we're sad about Ballan's crash - sport
director Fabrizio Bontempi said - Napolitano
is increasing his fitness and this is a good signal in view of Sanremo. While
Ballan's accident is not a positive way to approach Milano-Sanremo; we're going
to see in the next days how he will recover the bruises".
Tri-athlete Brian Boyle Chosen
# 4 of Vatican List of "Top Ten People of the Year"
"Inside the Vatican has again chosen 10 men and women as its "Top
Ten People of the Year." Profiles of each of the 10 will be published in the
upcoming January issue of Inside the Vatican. Meanwhile, we will publish the
profiles day by day in these email newsflashes, and on our
Web site.
Our Number 4 Person of 2007 is Brian Boyle Brian is a young man, just past
20, but he has made a journey to the doors of death and back. After he was hit
three years ago by a truck and almost killed, doctors told him he would never
walk again. But he not only learned to walk, he learned to run - and to run
marathons!"
Brian Boyle
Story and interview on the Daily Peloton.
Caisse d'Epargne
Stage 7 Victory for Luis León Sánchez
Luis León Sánchez the last stage of Paris-Nice after a thrilling final. The
rider of the team Caisse d’Epargne, which broke at three kilometres from the
final resisted to till the finishing line to the group of followers, which gave
him the possibility to win a stage in the French race for the second time in a
row.
“I want to dedicate my victory to all my team-mates of Caisse d’Epargne which
are present in this race, not only for the unbelievable job they achieved today
but also during the entire week because they never stopped trusting me. The
victory belongs to them too. I came here with the intention of fighting for the
general classification but the bad weather during the first stages was really a
bad thing for me and as a consequence I suffered a lot in the stage of the Mont
Ventoux. I lost more than two minutes which meant that it was almost impossible
to win the race. This is why we decided to give it all in the last two stages to
try to win a stage. Yesterday we missed a little bit of luck to do it and as a
consequence we had to try again today.
This morning in the team meeting we decided that a rider would try to go with
each breakaway and Alberto Losada, who like all my team-mates achieved a great
job, is the one who went with that attack. In the final I felt very well and I
knew I had to attack. I did it helped by a kind of fury for the fact that I had
not been able to fight for the general meeting despite the fact that I had been
preparing the race since the beginning of the year. Thanks to that victory I go
home being satisfied and confident for my next objective which will be the Tour
of the Basque Country.”
2008 Redlands Bicycle Classic Recognizing A Legend:
Scott Moninger To Receive The 2008 "Legends Award"
Redlands, CA.- The 2008 Redlands Classic Organizing Committee announces Scott
Moninger as recipient of their coveted "Legend" Award. The award was created in
2007 to honor a past RBC athlete "who has embodied enduring class,
sportsmanship, and character throughout their careers, both on and off the bike.
This individual represents all the best attributes of a professional cyclist and
contributes to the sport in a positive way" according to RBC marketing director
Scott Welsh.
Scott Moningers' tenure as a pro lasted an amazing 17 years, a feat in itself
that demands respect from the entire cycling community. His personal dynasty at
Redlands started even before being considered a professional, on his way to
earning that coveted designation he won the 1989 edition of the race. Scott went
on to win again in 1995 as well as make four podium appearances before showing
up for his final "hoorah" in 2007.
In the 2007 edition of the race Moninger added another stage win two days in
the leaders' jersey to his Redlands Bicycle Classic Legendry. Moninger took the
Stage 1 victory on the steeps of the Oak Glen climb as well as the race lead.
Only after a hard fought day on the roads of the Sunset Road Race could anyone
unseat Moninger from the race leaders' position. "
"Scott is a true legend of the sport of cycling with a distinguished career.
As a past host family for Scott and his team, I have had a chance to get to know
Scott. He is a very focused and professional cyclist and a good role model for
the sport. We are honored to have him as our legend this year". Says RBC Race
Director Dan Rendler.
Moningers' participation in the Redlands Bicycle Classic continues this year
not as a rider, but as a team director for the highly successful Toyota-United
Pro Cycling team. Moninger will be on hand to direct his team in hopes of
creating its own legend and will be presented the "Legends Award" during a
special ceremony at the race. The Redlands Bicycle Classic Organizing Committee
is honored to see Scott Moninger receive the 2008 "Legends Award," and remember
his many years of participation, aggressive riding, and podium appearances that
have given him legendary status in the archives of The Redlands Bicycle Classic.
For More Information Please Visit
www.redlandsclassic.com
About the Redlands Bicycle Classic: The
Redlands Bicycle Classic is an all-volunteer organization, including the board
of directors. The 24th annual Redlands Bicycle Classic is scheduled for April
3-6, 2008. The event was founded in 1985 by a community group chaired by then
Mayor Carole Beswick to promote awareness of downtown Redlands. Since that time,
professional cyclists from around the world have been racing in this event
centered around the city of Redlands, California. The Redlands Bicycle Classic
is on the USA Cycling (USAC) National Racing Calendar(NCR).
About PossAbilities; PossAbilities is a
community outreach program of Loma Linda University Rehabilitation, Orthopaedic,
and Neurosciences Institute. Membership to PossAbilities is free and there are
no age restrictions. For more information:
www.mypossabilities.com
Frankie Andreu Joins ZteaM
Directeur Sportif for 2008 American Eagle Outfitters Tour of Pennsylvania
Marin, Calif. (March 17, 2008)-Nine-time Tour de France rider Frankie Andreu has
joined ZteaM as Directeur Sportif during the cycling organization's quest to win
a place on the podium during the 2008 American Eagle Outfitters Tour of
Pennsylvania, presented by Highmark Healthy High 5(r).
Frankie Andreu to lead Bay Area ZteaM in Tour of
Pennsylvania
Andreu will lend his expertise and support to the bicycling organization, which
was chosen as one of only 20 groups to compete in the Pennsylvania event. Andreu
will work along side ZteaM's elite team leader, Christian Kearney, to prepare
racers for the American Eagle Outfitters Tour of Pennsylvania, the very first
Tour de France-style "espoir" race in the United States. Espoir, which means
hope in French, denotes the race is for up-and-coming riders under the age of
25. Over 60 teams vied to get into the Tour of Pennsylvania, but ZteaM was one
of only 20 teams chosen to participate. The event will be televised around the
world and is being dubbed as "the Tour de France for young riders."
"ZteaM is all about building the cycling community through its support for
youth and developmental cycling and has also built a strong sense of camaraderie
for the members and the public," Andreu said. "They have the right vision and
model to build a successful program where young riders can benefit greatly."
Andreu is one of the most popular and well-respected names in American
professional cycling. He retired from racing at the end of 2000 after a 12-year
professional career. During his racing career, which lasted from 1992 to 2000,
he competed in the Tour de France nine times, represented the United States in
two Olympic games and once was captain of US Postal. Andreu is now a commentator
for Versus TV and can be seen alongside Phil Liggett and Bob Roll during the
Tour de France each summer.
"Frankie is doing this more or less pro bono because he is very supportive of
our entire developmental effort and he is interested in our quest for a full
continental pro team in 2009 or 2010," said Hunter Ziesing, ZteaM's founder. "We
are honored and very appreciative that we have one of the most experienced
riders in the world to lead us."
ZteaM is a national cycling club supporting the growth of masters, elite, and
youth cycling through club riding and racing. The group is funded by national
and regional sponsors, and its own members. ZteaM regional chapters operate
independently with a focus on supporting youth cycling programs in their areas.
While ZteaM has a racing emphasis, its objective is to support all areas of
cycling and to encourage family involvement by hosting social events for both
cyclists and their families. ZteaM Cycling has largely focused on club riding
and masters racing since 2004, but recently formed an Elite team which is
managed by veteran riders Christian Kearney and Dave McCook, the current Scratch
Race National Champion and 1994 USPRO Criterium Champion.
For more information about ZteaM, please visit:
www.zteamcycling.com
Cycling Humour
Whaddy he say?
In June 1941, Hitler opened a second front and attacked the Soviet Union. At
first, the German forces made rapid progress and his orders seemed a good idea,
but the cold winters ahead and the resilience of the Russian army made this, one
of the worst proclamations in history, ever.
Another poor speech was after the battle of Pharsalus, Caesar pardoned one
Mr. Marcus Junius Brutus. Marcus was sentenced to a rightful death, but Caesar
said let him go. Bad call. On March 15 (the next year), 44 B.C., he stabbed
Caesar to death as he entered a Senate meeting, knifed him over 20 times. Not a
good call at all, some might say “I Cesar, pardon you Brutus” was a very (shite)
sentence.
There have been many regretful statements over time, among them:
“Are you sure you didn’t see an iceberg?” and “No don’t worry about landing, I
just want to learn how to take off!”
All are terrible proclamations, but they are not the worst. No, this is
linked to human stupidity and much evil, that the devil himself must have had a
hand in its conception. I was not there to witness the words spoken: the author
had three friends out cycling this particular afternoon, and it is to each of
this trio; I have had the dialogue related.
These four bikers all entered cycling late from others sports, but over the
past winters had gained the necessary experience and knowledge to be called
‘cyclists’. After a few thousand miles, cornering, climbing become easier and
smoother. Not the complete ‘roadman’ seasoned with seasons of racing but the
right gear and helmet on straight.
On this spring morning they had abandoned traffic and explored a canal toe
path. Safe from the hurry and hazards of road cycling. A skiff of rain was
clouding the view and each in turn, (at a leisurely tailwinded 19 mph) reached
to the rear pocket for an emergency garment. It was here that ‘it’ was spoken. I
must confess took me a while to take it in and picture the intensity of the
statement.
The first cycling friend recounted to me from ward four of the local
hospital, the second from his own bedroom and the third from his mother’s house,
as he had moved back for a while to recuperate. “Seriously”, he said, “Your man
said to me, can you hold my bars and steer for a minute while a get my rain cape
out!”
www.mylesrants.com
2009 Tour Down Under Dates Confirmed
Spectate. Participate. Celebrate at the 2009 Tour Down
Under from 18 to 25 January. Guaranteed to be action-packed with the
worlds best cycling teams competing for the prestigious Ochre Jersey.
Congratulations to Germanys Andre Gre i pel winner of the first ProTour event
in 2008. In true legend style Andre won 4 of the 6 stages at this years Tour
Down Under. The 2008 Tour Down Under made history by becoming the first UCI
ProTour cycling event to be held outside of Europe. In a show of true support
for this prestigious opportunity 548,000 spectators lined the roads to cheer on
their cycling heroes at this years event.
Join us next year for some fast and furious racing and be a part of
'cycling's brilliant party'. Experience all the action with street parties,
community events, the Teams Presentation, Legends' Night Dinner, the Club Tour
program for the serious cycling enthusiasts and an official coach service
'Touring the Tour' taking you to race stages in comfort.
Challenge yourself and participate in the Škoda Breakaway Series that offers
riders of all levels the opportunity to ride on the same route as the
professionals. Details on the Škoda Breakaways Series which include the Mutual
Community Challenge Tour, Mutual Community Fun Tour and mini tour for kids will
be announced in the coming months and UCI ProTour race routes are currently
being designed and will be released later in the year. Book your accommodation
and flights early so that you don't miss out on being in Adelaide for the 1st
UCI ProTour event on the 2009 calendar.
Sunday 18 January 2009 Down Under Classic
Monday 19 January 2009 Rest Day
Tuesday 20 January 2009 Stage 1
Wednesday 21 January 2009 Stage 2
Thursday 22 January 2009 Stage 3
Friday 23 January 2009 Stage 4
Saturday 24 January 2009 Stage 5
Sunday 25 January 2009 Stage 6
For further information visit
www.tourdownunder.com.au
Details on the Skoda Breakaway Series including the Mutual Community
Challenge Tour, Mutual Community Fun Tour and mini tour for kids will be
announced in the coming months. Keep an eye on the Tour Down Under website for
updates.
Enter here
for your chance to win a framed Bartercard Winning Team jersey, signed by the
members of the 2008 Tour Down Under winning team, Francaise Des Jeux.
Competition opens Monday 17th March 2009
2008 Tour of the Battenkill -
April 19
Organizers of the 2008 Tour of the Battenkill (tourofthebattenkill.com) are
proud to announce that the total number of registrants for the 2008 race in
Salem, NY has reached 1,000 with more than 10 weeks to go. Already the largest
Pro/Am race on the East Coast in 2007, the race is now primed to approach 1500
racers by race day, April 19. Hosted by local Junior's cycling team Farm Team
Cycling of Cambridge (farmteamcycling.org) in cooperation with the Towns &
Villages of the Battenkill Valley (visitbattenkillvalley.com), the Tour of the
Battenkill is in only it's 4th year, but drew from more than 25 States and
Canada in 2007. Proceeds from the event will benefit Farm Team Cycling and the
Public Libraries of Southern Washington County, NY.
The race organizers are also proud to announce sponsors for the 2008 event.
Glens Falls National Bank has signed on as a major sponsor and will be providing
commemorative wristbands for racers and spectators who will receive discounts
from area businesses supporting the event.
"We're excited to take part in the race this year", said Glens Falls National
Bank & Trust Company Regional Manager Rich Norman. "Cycling has become an
important part of our community here and in the region, and with so many of our
customers participating in the sport we felt it was a great opportunity to
contribute to the success of the event."
Other major sponsors include Reynolds Real Estate of Greenwich (lreynoldsrealestate.com),
Glens Falls Hospital (glensfallshospital.org), Trade Manage Capital (trademanagecapital.com),
Cabot of Vermont (cabotcheese.com), Echappe Equipment (echappeonline.com),
Hannaford Supermarkets (hannaford.com) and Whalen Chevrolet of Greenwich (whalenchevrolet.com).
Many sponsorship spots are still available. Contact sponsors@battenkillroubaix.com
for details.
The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a race expo at the finish
line again this year and is currently accepting vendor applications. The event
will be held at the White Presbyterian Church on West Broadway in Salem. Vendors
will be outside (rain or shine), in the front church yard near the start/finish
line. Vendor space is expected to be in high demand - please reserve your space
soon. Several food vendors and cycling-related have already confirmed. Contact
Jessica Corey of the Salem Chamber at 518-854-7971 or
expo@battenkillroubaix.com for
information.
The Tour of the Battenkill is a one-of-a-kind cycling event in the U.S.A.
Originally fashioned after the early spring classic cycling races in Northern
Europe such as the 100 year-old Paris-Roubaix, the race features rolling
countryside, covered bridges, long stretches of unpaved roads, and direct passes
through the villages and hamlets of Southern Washington County, NY including
Salem, Cambridge, and Greenwich. Amateurs & professional women in 13 different
classes & age groups will compete over a 55 mile route. Professional and elite
amateur men will race over an extended 82 mile course. All races start and
finish on West Broadway in Salem. Races begin at 9 AM on April 19.
Volunteers are needed for the safe and
successful operation of the event. Please contact Volunteer Coordinator
Christine Hoffer at 518-677-5741 or
volunteers@battenkillroubaix.com if you are interested in taking part.
Southern California - Encino Velodrome
Improved Track Surface for 2008 Race Season
Encino, CA – The Encino Velodrome begins its 2008 race season with an improved
track surface courtesy of a grant provided by the Channel Islands Bicycle Club.
For forty-five years, the concrete racing track in the heart of Southern
California's Sepulveda basin has played host to exciting bicycle racing action,
including the 1965 US National Championships, the 1968 US National Championships
& US Olympic Trials, and the 1972 & 1973 Grand Prix of the United States
(televised on ABC's Wide World of Sports). Through the work of US Concrete
Design, several expansion joints were repaired and a high spot that had
developed over the years was removed.
Encino Velodrome's 2008 racing season begins with the Bob Hansing Memorial
Cup Series Omniums on the first Saturday night of the month from April through
July. Other races include the Encino Velodrome Championships August 16th & 17th
through which racers can qualify for the U.S. National Championships, the $2,000
Far West Championships August 30th & 31st, and the Southern California / Nevada
Cycling Association Elite Track Cycling Championships September 13th & 14th.
The Encino Velodrome Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that
manages the educational and competition programs at the Encino Velodrome.
For more details, visit
http://EncinoVelodrome.Org
2009 Tour Down Under Dates Confirmed
Spectate. Participate. Celebrate at the 2009 Tour Down
Under from 18 to 25 January. Guaranteed to be action-packed with the
worlds best cycling teams competing for the prestigious Ochre Jersey.
Congratulations to Germanys Andre Gre i pel winner of the first ProTour event
in 2008. In true legend style Andre won 4 of the 6 stages at this years Tour
Down Under. The 2008 Tour Down Under made history by becoming the first UCI
ProTour cycling event to be held outside of Europe. In a show of true support
for this prestigious opportunity 548,000 spectators lined the roads to cheer on
their cycling heroes at this years event.
Join us next year for some fast and furious racing and be a part of
'cycling's brilliant party'. Experience all the action with street parties,
community events, the Teams Presentation, Legends' Night Dinner, the Club Tour
program for the serious cycling enthusiasts and an official coach service
'Touring the Tour' taking you to race stages in comfort.
Challenge yourself and participate in the Škoda Breakaway Series that offers
riders of all levels the opportunity to ride on the same route as the
professionals. Details on the Škoda Breakaways Series which include the Mutual
Community Challenge Tour, Mutual Community Fun Tour and mini tour for kids will
be announced in the coming months and UCI ProTour race routes are currently
being designed and will be released later in the year. Book your accommodation
and flights early so that you don't miss out on being in Adelaide for the 1st
UCI ProTour event on the 2009 calendar.
Sunday 18 January 2009 Down Under Classic
Monday 19 January 2009 Rest Day
Tuesday 20 January 2009 Stage 1
Wednesday 21 January 2009 Stage 2
Thursday 22 January 2009 Stage 3
Friday 23 January 2009 Stage 4
Saturday 24 January 2009 Stage 5
Sunday 25 January 2009 Stage 6
For further information visit
www.tourdownunder.com.au
Details on the Skoda Breakaway Series including the Mutual Community Challenge
Tour, Mutual Community Fun Tour and mini tour for kids will be announced in the
coming months. Keep an eye on the Tour Down Under website for updates.
Enter here
for your chance to win a framed Bartercard Winning Team jersey, signed by the
members of the 2008 Tour Down Under winning team, Francaise Des Jeux.
Competition opens Monday 17th March 2009
WADA Coach's Tool Kit Online
In order to increase access to our education tools, WADA has made its Coach's
Tool Kit available for download from our Web site (here). You may also include
the material on your organization's Web site should you wish to make it
available to your constituents.
The Coach's Tool Kit contains a series of educational tools created to
support a ready-to-deliver doping prevention workshop for elite coaches that can
be offered as a three hour training program or be extended up to a full day with
the inclusion of the optional modules.
For more information regarding the Coach’s Tool Kit, please contact WADA
info@wada-ama.org .
Calyon - Credit Agricole Pro Training Camp
Mike Fraysse Sports is proud to announce that we will be hosting the Calyon-Credit
Agricole Professional Cycling Team's spring training camp
April 11-19, 2008, at our world-renowned
cycling-specific training center in Catskill Mountains of upstate New York.
Fresh off a month of racing in France, the Calyon-Credit Agricole Pro Cycling
Team will use this spring training camp as a final hard block of training to
bring on peak form for the rest of the season. Besides taking advantage of the
mountainous rural roads surrounding the training center, the team will also
utilize Mike Fraysse Sports Resort's sophisticated computrainer testing and bike
fit services, as well as the coaching of 2-time US Olympic Team manager and US
Bicycling Hall of Famer, Mike Fraysse, to give them the critical edge against
competition in 2008.
Riders of all ages and abilities are invited to join the team and experience
first-hand what it's like to live and train like a pro a training camp. Camp
attendees will have the rare opportunity to live and train right alongside the
pros during their stay. Participants will accompany the team on
vehicle-supported training rides each day, and will also have the use of the
resort's computrainer testing, roller, gym, and bike fit facilities and
services. Discussions and clinics will be held each night after dinner on a wide
array of topics, from racing tactics, to nutrition, to how to turn pro out of
the amateurs, and beyond. Young riders will have the opportunity to network and
impress pro team directors, while participants of all ages will get to rub
elbows with the pros and experience what it's like to live and train like a pro
at training camp.
For more information, visit
http://MFTrainingCamps.blogspot.com
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