Team Saeco for 2004 get together tomorrow in Coccaglio

Two new promising riders: Loosli and Matzbacher

It is time for the first get together for the 2004 Team Saeco. The start of next season may still be a long way away but as usual the team managed by Claudio Corti is already working for the future with the first technical team ‘briefing’ so that Simoni and the other riders can repeat the extraordinary success of 2003.

The team will get together on Tuesday at the Hotel Touring in Coccaglio near Brescia, staying until Thursday. This first session will be dedicated mainly to the planning of training and race programmes, rider tests and the study of equipment (both components and clothing). 23 riders have been called up: the 15 previously confirmed from 2003: Gilberto Simoni, Danilo Di Luca, Mirko Celestino, Dario Pieri, Salvatore Commesso, Gerrit Glomser, Alessandro Bertagnolli, Antonio Bucciero, Damiano Cunego, Paolo Fornaciari, Juan Fuentes, Jorg Ludewig, Marius Sabaliauskas, Alessandro Spezialetti and Andrea Tonti, plus Giosue Bonomi.

There are seven new signings: Italians: Eddy Mazzoleni and Gabriele Balducci, Polish rider Sylvester Szmyd, Russian Evgeni Petrov and Slovenian Goradz Stangelj, plus two young riders who have recently joined the team: David Loosli from Switzerland (who rode in a Saeco jersey as a stagiaire) and Austrian Andreas Matzbacher the current Under 23 Austrian champion. "We’re fully satisfied with the line-up of the team even if we can’t rule out the possibility of a further two signings, especially for our Tour de France team," Team manager Claudio Corti said.

After this first get together the team will meet up again before Christmas in Riccione on the Adriatic coast (17-20 December) and then in Terracina south of Rome for the traditional training camp which will be held in two phases: from January 21-28 for the riders who will ride the Tour of Qatar, and then from January 28 until February 7 for the other riders (including Simoni and Di Luca).

T-Mobile Presentation

The T-Mobile (ex-Telekom) presentation went ahead today in Cologne (western) without Jan Ullrich, officially under contract until the end of the year with Bianchi. Ullrich is in negotiations with his former employer over his wages from August. The manager of Bianchi, Jacques Hannegraaf, has retained the wages of the Olympic Champion, thought to be worth about 600.000 euros.

"With these negotiations Ullrich has decided, for personal reasons, not to attend today", explained chief of the marketing for T-Mobile, Martin Knauer.

Ullrich, the only German winner of the Tour of France (1997), who returned to the Telekom stable after riding for between 1995 and September 2002, had travelled to Cologne, but preferred not to take part in the official presentation of the team. The event took part on a cruise ship on the Rhine. The other 24 team members attended the event including Tobias Steinhauser, who has also left Bianchi. However, Tobias was careful not to be seen wearing the T-mobile colours.

Meanwhile, hardworking Erik Zabel has decided to limit his huge number of racing days and will limit his schedule since he wants to concentrate on the Tour de France, Olympic Games and world championships.

Zabel's first big goal of the season will once again be Milan San Remo, a race he has won four times, then he will concentrate on the Amstel Gold Race.

The six-time Tour de France green jersey winner will be looking for a golden summer - "With the Tour de France, the Olympic Games in Athens and the world championships in October in Verona (Italy), next year includes important dates for me."

T-Mobile, who are spending big money looking for success next season (12 million euros per annum) are looking to challenge the American Lance Armstrong in the Tour de France 2004.

"We have one of the best teams of the world. There is Armstrong and there is Ullrich, but I think that we have a better squad of riders," said a happy owner of the team, Walter Godefroot.

Next stop for the T-Mobile boys will be a training camp in Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain) from the 11th to 25th of January 2004.

T-Mobile 2004

Jan Ullrich (ALL), Erik Zabel (ALL), Mario Aerts (BEL), Rolf Aldag (ALL), Eric Baumann (ALL), Santiago Botero (COL), Cadel Evans (AUS), Giuseppe Guerini (ITA), Serguei Ivanov (RUS), Torsten Hiekmann (ALL), Serguei Yakovlev (KZK), Matthias Kessler (ALL), Andreas Klier (ALL), Andreas Kloeden (ALL), Tomas Konecny (TCH), Andre Korff (ALL), Daniele Nardello (ITA), Paolo Savoldelli (ITA), Jan Schaffrath (ALL), Stephan Schreck (ALL), Bram Schmitz (PBS), Tobias Steinhauser (ALL), Christian Werner (ALL), Steffen Wesemann (ALL), Alexander Vinokourov (KZK).

Baal leaves ASO, replaced by Christian Preudhomme

Daniel Baal, who has been Director of cycling and assistant to Jean-Marie Leblanc for the Tour de France organisers ASO since October 2001, has resigned from his post. He delayed his decision until a suitable replacement was found and the man chosen is French TV journalist Christian Preudhomme.

Jean-Marie Leblanc said: “His competence and passion for cycle racing convinced he is the right man for the job. He will start on January 1, 2004. We thank Daniel Baal for having waiting until January 31 before leaving ASO."

Christian Preudhomme, the former TV journalist, has been at the forefront of TV coverage of the major races in France and presented the Sunday broadcast "Stage 2".

No Giro for Bettini

World Cup Winner Paolo Bettini, has confirmed that next year he will not ride the Giro.

"I will be riding the northern Classics, and will try to win at least one. Later I will not ride the Giro but I will be riding the Tour again. But my main objective will be the Olympic Games, and also the World Championships in Verona," said Bettini in Calenzano, where he received the" XXX Giglio de Oro".

Joseba Beloki for Vuelta?

Víctor Cordero, Director of Sport of Unipublic, the organisers of the Vuelta Espana, has left the door open for Joseba Beloki and his new team Brioches La Boulangere, to enter the race in 2004.

"Last year we had a little controversy with the participation of French Teams in the Vuelta when we decided only to include the Cofidis team in the race. However any team with an important rider, and Beloki is, has every chance of participating in the race.”

Víctor Cordero confirmed that the wild card places for the Vuelta would be decided on March 1st 2004 but “so far, the Boulangere have not submitted an entry.”

Mikel Pradera Rodríguez

The former ONCE rider who turned down the chance to join Joseba Beloki at Brioches La Boulangere and also broke off negotiations with Saeco, has finally found a new team for 2004. The rider has signed a two year contract with the new team Illes Baleares-Banesto. (Thanks Tintxu)

Philippe Gilbert stays with Madiot

Philippe Gilbert (21 years old) has extended his contract with FDJeux.com until 2005. He is one of top young riders in 2003 who has just received the best young Belgian rider at the recent Sprint d'Or awards. Winner of the Maillot vert in the last Tour de l'Avenir, team manager Marc Madiot will be happy to keep the young gun.

Nicole Brandli to Michela Fanini-Record Rox

Nicole Brandli (Prato Marathon Bike), double winner of the Giro d'Italia féminine, has changed teams. The 24 year old Swiss rider, who was second to Somarriba in the last Grande Boucle, has signed to the Italian team Michela Fanini-Record Rox.

The team is now being managed by Tony Rominger’s former right hand man, Stefano Della Santa. Katia Longhin (Acca Due O) has also joined the squad.

Dariusz Baranowski to Liberty Seguros

The former great hope of Polish cycling, 32 year old Dariusz Baranowski (CCC Polsat), will return to racing in Spain. He rode for Echevarri’s Banesto team from 1999 to 2002. The rider, who also rode for the US Postal team between 1996 until 1998, was considered to be a major Tour contender when he won the Tour of Poland three years running, between 1991 and 1993. Nevertheless, he is still a force as he proved when he finished 12th in the last Giro.

Manolo Saiz has also signed three ex-ONCE neo pros: León Sanchez, Carlos Barredo Llamazales, and Javier Ramírez Abeja. Barredo, is a great all rounder and has had an excellent season.

US Postal Signings for 2004

As we have previously mentioned the new Postal signings for 2004 are - Jurgen van den Broeck (Bel) , Stijn Devolder (Bel) , Benjamín Noval Gonzalez (Spa) and neo' pro’s Patrick McCarthy (Usa) and Daniel Rincon Quintana (Col).

Armstrong Sings

To read full article click here.

Jim Beal Jr. of the San Antonio Express-News reports on a Lyle Lovett concert - here is a much condensed version -

"San Antonio doesn't own Lyle Lovett. Lyle Lovett doesn't own San Antonio. But the mutual admiration society is stronger than six or seven fields of garlic…"

Cycling legend Lance Armstrong was introduced during the encore tune, "Here I Am," and proved he should stick with bicycles and not songs. But Lovett's final guest, singer Sheryl Crow, sounded just fine on the evening-ending "Church."

Milton Keynes Cycling to Success

To read full article click here.

Great story about a great UK club...

The elite and under 23 cycling squad is now the number two squad in the country, the squad all Milton Keynes-based with several members having come from the schools and junior ranks of Team Keyne, the youth development squad. Young riders like Adam Illingworth, James Flanagan and Martin Quill have all moved up to the under 23 squad which receives great sponsorship and support from Trek bikes and Phil Corley Cycles. Roy Chamberlain won some local early season road races and the squad then focused on the UK's premier calendar events and the under 23 national series.

In the under 23 series, James Flanagan, assisted by Adam Illingworth and Simon Henley, won the overall series. Adam also spent a considerable part of the season in France gaining valuable experience. James' win in the under 23 series and a great ride for England in the European Championships saw him gain selection for the World Road Race Championships in Canada. He was instructed to ride for a team-mate and produced a top class performance on the day. The club now has nine second category riders moving up from the third and fourth ranks. This will further improve the overall results of the cycling squad as these riders continue to improve and work their way to first category status.

In the world of triathlon and duathlon once again the club can safely claim to be the country's leading force with national elite champions Martin Yelling and Vicky Pincombe both successfully defending their national titles. These two athletes have been backed up all year round with an age group squad that managed to see nine of its athletes win selection for the World Duathlon Championships in Switzerland.

Membership has increased from around 100 to a staggering 300 and the club pass on their thanks to Phil Corley Cycles, Abbeygate Developments, Body Limits, The Personal Group of Companies, TREK bikes, and Siemens. For more information contact Campbell Noon on MK 855767.

Roger Hammond - Looking Good

The former world junior champion, and reigning National Cross and Road Champion Roger Hammond made a winning return to the fourth round of the National Trophy cyclo-cross series at Mallory Park, Leicestershire on Sunday. He proved too strong for Nick Craig (Trek UK) and won the nine-lap, 18km race by 5 seconds.

Barrie Clarke, last year's winner at Mallory Park and the holder of the title, could only manage 15th spot but still leads the competition overall.

Elite Men - Result

1 Roger Hammond (GBr) Palmans/Collstrop 58.27
2 Nick Craig (GBr) Trek UK 0.05
3 Jody Crawforth (GBr) Evans Cycles RT 0.27
4 Geert Vandaele (Bel) Belgium 0.31
5 Steven Roach (GBr) Rugby Velo 0.37
6 Paul Oldham (GBr) Giant Racing 0.40
7 Shaun Snodden (GBr) JE James RT 1.00
8 Nico Clarysse (Bel) Belgium 1.06
9 Adrian Timmis (GBr) RBS Office Supplies 1.19
10 Noel Clough (GBr) Caygill Frames RT 1.25

Tour de Taiwan

Stage 1: Bao-Lai Circuit, 100 km

Results

1 Manabe, Kazyuki Japan Team 2:34:46
2 Kazemi Sarai, Ahad Giant Asia Racing 0:00:00
3 Kottula, Juergen Merida Germany 0:01:41
4 Mizbani Iranagh, Ghader Giant Asia Racing 0:01:43
5 Schmidt, Robert Merida Germany 0:02:15
6 Mamyrov, Bakhtiyar Dinamo-Alatau Team 0:02:15
7 Fukushima, Koji Japan Team 0:02:16
8 Andreyev, Mikhail Dinamo-Alatau Team 0:02:18
9 Erler, Tobias Merida Germany 0:03:49
10 Chadwick, Glen Giant Asia Racing 0:03:51

Stage 2: Maulin - Taitung County Government, 189 km

Results

1 Erler, Tobias Merida Germany 4:32:50
2 Andreyev, Mikhai Dinamo-Alatau Team 0:00:00
3 Fukushima, Koji Japan Team 0:00:31
4 Yakovlev, Evgeni Dinamo-Alatau Team 0:00:33
5 Simon, Hans Merida Germany 0:00:33
6 Sneeboer, Paul B.R.C. Kennemerland 0:00:33
7 Wong, Kam Po Hong Kong, China Team 0:00:33
8 Lau, King Nin Hong Kong, China Team 0:00:33
9 Leung, Chi Yin Hong Kong, China Team 0:00:33
10 Kottula, Juergen Merida Germany 0:00:33

GC after Stage 2

1 Manabe, Kazyukijapan Team 7:07:59
2 Kazemi Sarai, Ahad Giant Asia Racing 0:00:04
3 Kottula, Juergen Merida Germany 0:01:47
4 Andreyev, Mikhail Dinamo-Alatau Team 0:01:49
5 Mizbani Iranagh, Ghader Giant Asia Racing 0:01:53
6 Fukushima, Koji Japan Team 0:02:20
7 Schmidt, Robert Merida Germany 0:02:25
8 Mamyrov, Bakhtiyar Dinamo-Alatau Team 0:02:25
9 Erler, Tobias Merida Germany 0:03:16
10 Chadwick, Glen Giant Asia Racing 0:04:01