Cycling News Roundup -19 November 2009
Team News: Skil/Shimano signs Wilmann, Lampre/Farnese Vini signs Danilo Hondo, Steven Cozza - Race For Kids Fan Club, UCI Professional Continental Teams, Davide Rebellin To Lose Olympic Silver, Lon Haldeman Award, Dragon Ride Wales, and more...

 Skil Shimano
Norway’s Frederik Wilmann to join Skil-Shimano
Norwegian Frederik Wilmann will ride for Skil-Shimano as of 1 January 2010. The 24-year-old, born in Viggja on 17 July 1985, was a member of the Joker-Bianchi team in Norway this season. Wilmann is seen by Skil-Shimano as a rider with great potential, especially in the tough stage races. This past year Wilmann has distinguished himself in mountainous stage races.

Wilmann won the French stage race Mi-Août Bretonne in 2009. He also finished third in the final classification of both the Tour de Normandie and the Tour d’Alsace, in which he won the first stage. He finished the French stage race Paris-Corrèze in sixth place, too. Wilmann claimed seventh place in the first stage of the Tour of Ireland. In 2007 he finished ninth overall in the Tour de l'Avenir.

Frederik Wilmann was raised in a cycling family. His father Jostein was a professional cyclist in the 1980s. His wins include the Tour de Romandie and the Setmana Catalana de Ciclisme in 1982.

Lampre-Farnese Vini
Danilo Hondo Signs with Saronni
 In 2010 the blue & Fuscia team will be able to rely on a new important rider who can show all his qualitieswhen the need is speed: German sprinter Danilo Hondo

Danilo Hondo with  Saronni after signing his contract. Photo © 2009 Lampre/Farnese Vini 

Born in Cottbus (Germany) on the 4 January 1974, Hondo is a cyclist characterized by an athletic body (186 cm of height and 75 kg of wheight) that allowed him to conquer since 1997 (year of the passage in the pro world) many victory: the most important of them are the two stage conquered in Giro d'Italia 2001 and the national German road championship 2002.

In his palmares there's also the 2nd place in Milano-Sanremo 2005, just behind Alessandro Petacchi, the rider who will receive his main support from Hondo in the sprints.

"It was a suggestion by Petacchi that made us think to sign Hondo," - Saronni explained - "We thought that this was a good idea and we contacted Danilo who showed all his enthusiasm for this new professional chance. Hondo will be useful for Petacchi's sprint and he will have also the chance to go in search for personal successes".

Danilo Hondo is the first German rider to join the team of Saronni and wear the blue-fucsia colours.
Watch the new video on website www.lampre-ngc.com and discover the new blue-fucsia rider Hondo.

Skil-Shimano and Koga extend their collaboration
The Skil-Shimano team and the Dutch cycling brand Koga have extended their collaboration by two years. Skil-Shimano also wishes to make progress in the coming years and the cycling supplier Koga is keen to grow with the ambitions of the team and sponsors Skil and Shimano.

Skil-Shimano and Koga will pursue their intensive collaboration in the next two years, with the aim of developing innovative high-end products. A new time trial frame will therefore be introduced in the course of the new contract period. In addition, from the start of the new season, the team will gain access to completely new full-carbon framesets that are being developed in co-operation with Skil-Shimano.

“We are very happy with this new agreement,” says Wouter Jager, general manager of Koga BV. “It gives us the opportunity to showcase our products in competitions at the very highest level, such as recently in the Tour de France. Moreover, it is a major priority for our team to be able to play a particularly leading role in the coming years through cooperation with the team in the area of developing new high-end products. The intensive collaboration with Iwan Spekenbrink’s team enables us to achieve this goal because we can exchange knowledge with athletes that perform at the very highest level and who are extremely demanding when it comes to their equipment.”

“We are pleased that Koga will also remain our cycle supplier in the next two years,” says Skil-Shimano general manager Iwan Spekenbrink. “Koga’s intensified R&D-path over the next two years appeals to us, particularly since our specific wishes constitute one of the key starting points for the development of new products, and we also want to reap the rewards of this in the two coming seasons.”
 www.skilcyclingteam.com

Alejandro Valverde with Real Murcia
Next Saturday November 21, in the stadium of the Nueva Condomina, Alejandro Valverde will kick-off the football match Real Murcia-Real Unión of Irún.

Before the match, which will begin at 6:00 at PM, the public will pay a tribute to Alejandro, who supports his home team each time he has the possibility to do so.

Footie fan of Real Murcia - Alejandro Valverde will open Saturday's game
 Photo © 2009 Caisse d'Epargne & Abarca Sports

Alejandro Valverde con el Real Murcia
El próximo sábado 21 de noviembre, en el estadio de la Nueva Condomina, Alejandro Valverde hará el saque de honor del partido Real Murcia-Real Unión de Irún. Antes del partido, que empezará a las horas 18:00, Alejandro, fiel hincha del equipo de su ciudad, recibirá el homenaje de la grada.

Lampre/Farnese Vini
First Training Camp
Castenedolo  will be the location forthe first training camp of team Lampre-Farnese Vini in view of of 2010 season. This year  the training camp will take place thanks to the relationship between the team of General Manager Saronni and Team Brixia of Giuseppe Bresciani: Cunego, Petacchi, Gavazzi and all the other team mates could enjoy the high value of the location, the Hotel Majestic, that was strongly willing to host team Lampre-Farnese Vini.

Giuseppe Saronni's team will be hosted in Hotel Majestic since Tuesday 1 December to Friday 4: in the camp all the athletes, with most of the team staff, will be subject of medical checks and they will try out new technical and mechanical material. Moreover the calendar of races will be scheduled.

"We start a news season from a new structure - Saronni commented - We're sure that we'll find a hospitality that will satisfy in a perfect way our needs, even because we received the assurance by Giuseppe Bresciani: we thanks him and Team Brixia for his constant support and, of course, we thank Rocca family, owner of Hotel Majestic after a very important season ended with the victory in Varese World Championship and with the success of cunego in Giro di Lombardia".
Sito internet: www.hotelmajestic.bs.it.

 A visit paid by Giuseppe Saronni in Somma Lombardo to the Tws Srl headquarter was the occasion to sign the renewal of cases supply and the launch of the new "bike case" branded Tws.

In 2010 too Lampre-Farnese Vini continues to rely on the Somma Lombardo company in order to supply to the needs of all the team components: cases and trolley for staff and riders, large chest and briefcase for mechanics, professional bags for masseurs, rucksack for the post race for the cyclists.

During the signing of the agreement, Longhin brothers showed Saronni  the newest product from Tws dedicated to cycling world: "Tws bike case", perfect for the transport of bikes. Photo © 2009 Lampre/Farnese Vini 
More info on Tws:  www.twssrl.net 

Steven Cozza
Race For Kids Fan Club
Steven is asking his family and friends to support disadvantaged children by becoming a member of his fan club. Please go to his web site www.stevencozza.com to sign up. Race For Kids Fan Club members receive a signed racing photo of Steven with stats on the back. They are also eligible for prizes throughout the racing season.

It is the mission of Steven Cozza’s Race for Kids Fan Club to help children throughout the world. Children who are disadvantaged because of poverty, physical or mental disabilities, being discriminated against, victims of war or natural disasters or other life circumstances beyond their control. With your help, by becoming a member of Steven’s Race For Kids Fan Club, you can make this dream come true. There is only one requirement to become a member. You are asked to make a donation to a non-profit charity that benefits children.

2008 Tour of California: Steven Cozza replaces a wheel after the crash near the start. Photo © 2008 Action Images

All members receive an autographed racing photo of Steven with stats on the backside of the card. Steven’s Race for Kids Fan Club members are also eligible for other prizes throughout the racing season. The prizes include an autographed team photo or jersey, Steven Cozza Paris Roubaix Debut 2009 “Breakaway” card or poster signed, a ride with Steven, CamelBak bicycle water bottle or a personal appearance by Steven at a fundraiser of a children’s charity of your choice are among the many prizes. Each month member’s names will be entered into a random drawing. Winners will be announced.

When you donate to a Children’s charity you also receive the personal satisfaction of helping to improve the quality of another human being’s life, in this case Children.

“Road Racing is an international sport. Disadvantaged Children are suffering throughout the world. So I invite my fans throughout the world to donate to a Children’s Charity and sign up to become Race For Kids Fan Club Members. You can make a difference in the lives of Children in need. Don’t walk away. It only takes a moment to reach into your heart and make a donation of any amount.” Steven Cozza
Race For Kids Fan Club
Steven Cozza Website
Wear the "Stache"

Davide Rebellin Stripped of Olympic Silver
Italian rider Davide Rebellin will have to return the silver medal in won in the Beijing Olympic Games 2008.  The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI). CONI said it had received notification that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Rebellin said that he will have to return the medal.

Rebellin's disqualification rewards the silver medal to Fabian with the bronze medal going to Russian Alexandr Kolobnev The race's result has also been changed in the UCI ledger.

Better times for Davide Rebellin (and his fans), here at the after race press conference in March of the 2009 Fleche Wallone. Photo © 2009 Bart Hazen

Rebellin tests came back positive for trace amounts of CERA after he won the Flèche Wallonne in April, his Flèche. Consequently the Olympic committee re-tested Rebellin's Olympic sample and it turned up positive in the first test. As a result Rebellin was suspended from all sporting activity by the CONI. A subsequent test of the B sample also recently tested positive. Rebellin faces a two year ban; at 37 years old it is likely the end to what might has always been regarded as a brilliant career.

However, Davide Rebellin has sworn he will not go down without a fight for his Silver Medal and has never admitted guilt in the doping charges and plans to fight the charges.

UCI Professional Continental Teams
Registration requests for 2010 as of 16 November
Description: Teams wishing to be registered as UCI Professional Continental Teams for the 2010 season are required to submit an application to the UCI. Together with the practice Ernst & Young, the UCI evaluates whether the teams are in compliance with the regulatory requirements, particularly in terms of their administration and financing.

In accordance with a new article added to the rules on 1 July 2009 (2.16.014bis), the UCI is today publishing the list of teams that, by 15 November 2009, had submitted an application file containing the following required documents:

• budget
• sponsorship contracts duly signed with the main partners
• bank guarantee
• at least 10 contracts with riders duly signed by the two parties
• for new teams only, a description of the structure of the team together with a copy of
the deed of incorporation of the paying agent.

The teams are:
• ACQUA & SAPONE (ITA)
• ANDALUCIA CAJASUR (ESP)
• ANDRONI GIOCATTOLI (VEN)
• BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM (FRA)
• BMC RACING TEAM (USA)
• CARMIOORO NGC (GBR)
• CERAMICA FLAMINIA (IRL)
• CERVELO TEST TEAM (SUI)
• COFIDIS (FRA)
• COLNAGO – CSF INOX (IRL)
• DE ROSA – STAC PLASTIC (IRL)
• ISD – NERI (ITA)
• LANDBOUWKREDIET (BEL)
• SAUR – SOJASUN (FRA)
• SKIL – SHIMANO (NED)
• TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN – MERCATOR (BEL)
• VACANSOLEIL PRO CYCLING TEAM (NED)
• VORARLBERG CORRATEC (AUT)
• XACOBEO GALICIA (ESP)

This information is being published with a view to keeping all parties concerned informed about the progress of UCI Professional Continental Teams registration applications.  The UCI and the practice Ernst & Young will continue to evaluate all applications, including those of teams not in the above list, which have until 1 December to submit their completed applications.

The UCI will make a final decision on the registration of UCI Professional Continental Teams for the 2010 season after the official deadline of 1 December.
UCI Communication Services

Race Across America
2009 Lon Haldeman Award Winner!
Scott Luikart The winner of the Lon Haldeman Award, given to the Racer or Team who raises the most money for a charitable cause, goes to Scott Luikart. Scott raised money for Parkinson's Disease research. The funds raised were donated to the Lerner Research Institute, a part of the Cleveland Clinic. His motivation? His twin brother, Mark who is fighting the disease. Mark also served as Scott's Crew Chief for the race.

Coming in a very close second, the Georgia Chain Gang raised funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through Team in Training. The 4-Person team of Dave Armento, David Dourdakin, Tony Myers and Jerome Rossetti said they would return for the 2010 Race and would like to raise even more money for their cause.

RAAM and RAW racers have raised millions of dollars over the year's for a multitude of important causes. Congratulations to Scott Luikart on an amazing fundraising effort and to all of the Teams who raised money as part of their race endeavor!

Scott USA
Founding Member in The Wood River Bicycle Coalition
SCOTT Bicycles today announced its burgeoning commitment as a Founding Member of the Wood River Bicycle Coalition (WRBC). The WRBC advocates and promotes bicycle and pedestrian access, education, and safety while encouraging policy makers, developers, residents, and visitors to further incorporate and utilize human power for transportation and recreation throughout Idaho's Wood River Valley. Current PR campaigns include slogans like, “Complete the Streets”, and “Two Wheels, Two Feet”.

The League of American Bicyclists recently awarded the Wood River Valley its Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community status. While WRBC is pleased with this achievement, the Coalition now aspires to guide the Valley toward attaining Gold status in the coming years. “It’s such a pleasure to be involved in the cycling culture of your own community,” said Scott Montgomery. “We helped form this Coalition to address the growing attraction of cycling in our Valley, because we feel the obligation as a bicycle manufacturer to nurture cycling culture. The rating by the League was exciting, but it presents us with some challenges in order to improve our status. Having connectivity for many forms of human powered mobility is good for the health and well being of our citizens.”

Since the rating, the WRBC has been involved in completing two community bike parks, both milestone achievements for the level of cooperation required between government, community and advocates. The parks were designed and built by Alpine Bike Parks, and embody the vision of user-friendly park facilities that serve multiple levels of enthusiasts while maintaining a community park appearance. The Blaine County Recreation District (BCRD) Pump Park, located in Hailey, opened on October 9th, 2009 with over 250 in attendance. Riders of all ages enjoyed the many “Pump Track” features and berms constructed adjacent the BCRD Aquatic Center and Wood River High School campus. On Nov 4th, 2009 the Ketchum Bike Park located by Hemingway Elementary School, likewise saw its grand opening, further adding to the pump park offerings in the Valley. The WRBC aims to expose a broad range of users to this increasingly popular form of bicycling, and embed a sense of health, fitness, and bicycle mindedness in the community.

“For us, this was a chance to make a difference in our community,” said Adrian Montgomery. “Many of the plans we implement here in the Wood River Valley can be applied to National programs in the future. Becoming a Founding Member in the WRBC allows us to be advocates for cycling and to develop unique approaches to our social responsibilities.”
For more information on the WRBC, please visit: http://www.woodriverbike.org/Home

Dragon Ride Wales
Kiron Bikes Signs 3 Year Deal
Britain’s most popular sportive will get an all new look and an all new name from 2010 as bicycle manufacturer Kiron Bikes is to enter into a 3 year partnership with the newly christened Kiron Dragon Ride.

The event, which held its 6th edition in 2009, has long been one of the most beautiful and most rewarding of UK rides, so much so that when the designers at Kiron begun work on a specific sportive range of cycles , their thoughts turned the ride for inspiration:
“We decided to approach the Dragon Ride because we have all ridden and loved the event itself over the past few years, its great organisation and the scenery,” says Paul Bolwell of Kiron Bikes, “ The route takes in some truly beautiful countryside and offers two very challenging routes, so much so that we’ve names a bike after one of the moun-tain routes – the Kiron Rhigos!”

The Kiron Dragon Ride 2010 will once again challenge over 3000 riders with the wild grandeur of the Brecon Beacons, the fearsome climb of the Bwlch and of course the Rhi-gos pass whilst expanding the village and the start/ finish area and adding in a few new and exciting twists and turns to its much loved route.

“I'm delighted to be associated with such a dynamic brand as Kiron” added Kiron Dragon Ride organiser Lou Lusardi, “It's fantastic that Kiron have chosen to name their top of the range carbon sportive bike after the signature Dragon Ride climb; the Rhigos, it’s im-mensely flattering and I can't wait to see the bikes.”

2009 saw the most successful edition of the event to date with superstar Cervelo Test Team professional Daniel Lloyd setting the fastest time of the day and Paralympic and World Champions Darren Kenny and Simon Richardson also mingling with the riders on the course.

“We feel it’s the perfect showcase for Kiron bikes,” adds Paul Bolwell, “so we will give rid-ers the chance to view the bikes at the event. Kiron owners will also have exclusive ac-cess to the tented Kiron area, refreshment, support ad masseurs at the ride itself. Kiron bikes are the only brand aimed specifically at the sportive rider so we are very excited”

You can find out more about the 2010 Kiron Dragon Ride at bothe the Wiggle and Kiron Dragon Ride stands at the Cycle Show, 8th-11th October at Earl’s Court or on the web-site www.kirondragonride.co.uk

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