Roundup by podofdonny and Janna Trevisanut

Heras at Liberty Seguros España

Roberto Heras. Courtesy Dave O'Nyons.
As we reported yesterday, 29 year old Roberto Heras has left the US Postal team to join Manolo Saiz’s Liberty Seguros España team on a three-year contract. It is thought that Heras will be paid around 1.2 million euros a season and that Liberty will have to pay US Postal a fee of around 1.38 million euros compensation.

Heras’s move considerable strengthens the Liberty Seguros España squad who now have 17 signed riders and potentially a strong Tour squad; new team mates for Heras include:

René Andrle – Time trail specialist winner stage 5 of Vuelta Ciclista a Murcia 2003

Dariusz Baranowski - Tour specialist, treble winner of Tour de Poland and 12th Giro 2003.

Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano – Time trial and Tour specialist – winner of Deutschland-Tour 2002.

Jan Hruska – Time trial specialist, winner stage 3 Vuelta Ciclista a la Rioja 2003.

Isidro Nozal Vega – no introduction needed, winner stage 13 Vuelta a España 2003 (where he beat world champion David Millar into second place) and ironically just beaten out of the Gold shirt by Roberto Heras.

Marcos A. Serrano Rodriguez - Time trailist, climber and tour rider winner of Vuelta a Castilla e Leon 2001.

Angel Vicioso Arcos – one of the new breed of Spanish Classics riders, got the better of Igor Astarloa, Alejandro Valverde, Beat Zberg and Davide Rebellin on stage 2 of Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco 2003.

Koldo Gil Perez – climbing specialist.

The squad also includes two great young prospects Gianpaolo Caruso and Alberto Contador Velasco, Igor’s brother Alvaro Gonzalez de Galdeano, veteran Rafael Diaz Justo and Australian sprinter Allan Davis.

Neo pros Carlos Barredo Llamazales, Javier Ramírez Abeja and Luis Léon Sanchez Gil complete the team of 17 riders. (Sources: Cycling4All, Todociclismo)

In theory, Saiz could sign another 8 riders and now that he has the addition of Roberto Heras as team leader, it will be easier for him to attract a co-sponsor, who will see the benefits of being associated with the Vuelta Espana winner riding for a Spanish team.

Rumoured to be interested in joining Liberty Seguros España are former ONCE co- sponsors Wurth and an un-named Supermarket chain. Spanish racing has had a remarkable turn around of interests - it was widely predicted that with the demise of the two great teams Banesto and Once, that the Spanish racing scene was in demise. Remarkably, the opposite seems to be the case.

Isidro Nozal. Courtesy Dave O'Nyons

Once again into the breech...By Dave O'Nyons.

José Azevedo to US Postal

Although US Postal team boss Johan Bruyneel is very unhappy with the departure of Heras, ("A few days ago Heras’s lawyer told us that he wanted to leave the team. Apparently he has received an offer of a three-year contract to lead another team. We aren't happy with the situation, but if Roberto wants to leave there is nothing we can do to stop him." – Reuters), the Belgian DS appears to have wasted no time in finding a replacement.

30 year old José Azevedo, who was thought to be returning to Portugal with the Milaneza-MSS team, has made a last minute switch and will now join the Postal boys. The very experienced rider who turned pro in 1994 and was sensational in the 1998 Tour de L'Avenir, where he won two stages and the overall, has obviously been brought in to boost the Postal Tour team.

The super domestique, who finished sixth in the 2002 Tour, may well be a rider that Johan Bruyneel can get the best from.

Despite of the sudden departure of Heras, the US Postal team, with the signing of José Azevedo, once again hit the maximum of 25 riders allowed for the 2004 season.

According to the excellent Cycling4All, the team for 2004 will be:

Lance Armstrong (Usa) - José Azevedo (Por) - Michael Barry (Can) - Manuel Beltran Martinez (Spa) - Antonio Cruz (Usa) - Stijn Devolder (Bel) Viatcheslav Ekimov (Rus) - Ryder Hesjedal (Can) - George Hincapie (Usa) Benoît Joachim (Lux) - Damon Kluck (Usa) - Kenny Labbe (Usa) - Floyd Landis (Usa) J.Patrick McCarthy (Usa) - Guennadi Mikhailov (Rus) - Benjamín Noval Gonzalez (Spa) Pavel Padrnos (Cze) - Victor H.Pena Grisales (Col) - Daniel Rincon Quintana (Col) José L.Rubiera Vigil (Spa) - Jurgen van den Broeck (Bel) - Max van Heeswijk (Ned) Christian VandeVelde (Usa) - Robbie Ventura (Usa) - David Zabriskie (Usa).

Meanwhile Johan Bruyneel was picking up his Het Laatste Nieuws award for being Directeur Sportif of the year.

Unexpectedly, Manolo Saiz, in the last few weeks, has managed to be thrown off a race (Vuelta Espana), once again managed to “snatch defeat from the jaws of victory” (Nozal- Vuelta) and had lost his sponsor (ONCE). Now, with a new sponsor, he has managed to sign Roberto Heras. And retain Nozal and Galdeano.

Like him or loathe him, Manolo Saiz is one of the sports true supporters!

Hamilton on Speedplay Pedals

San Diego, Calif., December 4, 2003--Tyler Hamilton won the 1993 National Collegiate Cycling Association Championships on Speedplay X pedals.  In 2003, Hamilton rode to victory in Liege-Bastogne-Liege, the Tour of Romandie and the unforgettable 16th stage of the Tour de France, all on Speedplay Zero pedals.  When 2004 rolls around, Hamilton’s racing bicycle will once again be equipped with Speedplay pedals.  The company and Hamilton have signed a long-term contract that will keep the American star on Speedplay Zero pedals far into the future.

“All of us at Speedplay are honored and delighted to continue the special relationship we have with Tyler that began in 1993,” said Richard Bryne, Speedplay’s CEO.  “There isn’t a rider today that works harder or races with more determination.  You don’t have to be a cyclist to admire Tyler’s sportsmanship.  We are proud to associate Speedplay products with Tyler Hamilton.”

“Choosing Speedplay was a simple choice for me,” said Hamilton.  “I want the best equipment and Speedplay makes the best pedals.  They’re so easy to use.  People should know that what makes Speedplay great for racing also makes them great for everyday riding.  I’m looking forward to helping Speedplay with that message.”  

Speedplay designs and manufactures user-friendly, high-performance pedal systems for road and off-road cycling, including the X Series, the Zero, and the Frog.  For more information about Speedplay pedals call 858.453.4707 or visit www.speedplay.com. (Courtesy Speedplay)

Help Repair Life Repair

To read a local article, click here.

Read more about the Life Repair Cycling team here.

Cyclists Mark Lovatt, John Tanner, Kevin Dawson and Emma Davies all of a sudden have no team - their team's sponsor, Life Repair, has gone into receivership this week though the minor sponsors still remain. Life Repair has been one of the leading squads in the UK, and the team had planned to become Division III this next season, with Davies planning to compete in the Olympics.

Team director Dr. Phil Leigh is hunting for more backers.

Team Director, Phil Leigh added "It has come at a bad time when we are due to register the team for UCI Div III status for 2004 and finalise rider contracts. We have strong support from our existing product sponsors and would like to thank them for standing by us during this difficult period. Additionally, an extensive road programme is in place including some European stage races.

"It would be very easy to pull the plug and call it a day, but we strongly believe we have established a sound infrastructure to move forward with, along with a fantastic set of riders. With this in mind I want to give it until the end of 2003 to find replacement sponsor(s).

"I spent the weekend at a cycling dinner and on a couple of local club runs; this along with the numerous phone calls I have received makes me realise that the core membership of British Cycling is 100% behind the team and would be very sad to see its demise. At this moment (30th Nov) we have one possible secondary sponsor and I have people working on finding further sponsors as this goes to press.

"On behalf of the riders and personnel, I would like to invite anyone who may know of any company who may wish to be involved in the UK's most successful road team of recent years to contact me, thank you".  Mr. Leigh can be contacted via the team website.

Mark Lovatt's 2003 selected results

1st Overall Premier Calendar Series (PC) 2003
1st Elite Points Table 2003
1st Lincoln International GP (PC)
1st Manx International GP (PC)
1st Tour of the Peak (PC)
1st Five Valleys RR (PC)
1st Stage 3 Girvan 3-Day (PC)
1st Overall Wales 3-Day
1st Stage 2 Northumberland 2-Day (PC)
1st North West Division Championship
1st Stages 2 & 3 Mersey Roads 2-Day RR
1st Metalteck RR
1st Nick Clark Memorial RR
1st Team, Wales 3-Day
1st Fibrax-Wrexham RC Hilly
1st Beeley Moor Hilly
Short Listed for World Championships 2003
Member of Olympic Long Squad for 2004

John Tanner's 2003 Selected Results

1st Girvan 3-Day (Premier Calendar (PC))
1st Lancaster-Mercedes Grand Prix (PC)
1st Stage, 4 Wales 3-Day
1st Team, Wales 3-Day
2nd Overall Premier Calendar Series
2nd Stages 2 & 4 and
Overall Isle of Wight 2-Day
3rd Overall KOM Tour of Serbia
3rd Archer International GP (PC)
Member of Olympic Long Squad for 2004

Emma Davies' 2003 Selected Results

10th World Track Championships (Pursuit) - Stuttgart
1st National 3km Pursuit Track Champion
1st National 20km Points Track Champion
1st Women's Omnium, Milton Keynes
1st Women's Omnium, Halsowen
3rd National 15km Track Scratch Championships
4th National Women's RR Championships
Represented GB in Europe on Road
Represented GB in Track World Cup Events
Already booked Olympic place for Athens 2004

Pave for Sale...

As we mentioned in October, the village of Geraardsbergen is planning on selling cobblestones from the “Muur”, the famous cobbled climb in the last part of the Ronde Van Vlaanderen. The climb was recently re-paved, using as much of the original stones as possible, but some stones didn’t make the final cut. So during the next village council there will be a vote on selling the unused old cobblestones for around 2.5€ a piece, via the village’s tourism department. More information on the sale can be found at the village's website here. The stones date back to the 19^th century. (VRT Teletext)

XC Killeen Signs with Subaru Gary Fisher

21 year old Liam Killeen of Malvern Great Britain has signed a new contract with the Subaru Gary Fisher team for the 2004 year that sees him move from his part time contract of 2002 and 2003, to a full time contract with the marquee team. The previous part time situation had Liam riding also for the National Team program of Great Britain where he not only received financial assistance, but also coaching and other supportive services.

Under the new situation Liam continues to receive coaching assistance and support from the National Program, but will be able to race full time in the colours of Subaru Gary Fisher, with the obvious exceptions of the Olympics and World Championships. "I'm really happy to make the step to full time with a professional trade team, especially one that I know as well as Subaru Gary Fisher, yet I will still receive some of the much valued support from the National Program and be able to continue working with my long time coach, Gary Foord," said Killeen today from the 23 Degrees offices in Granada, Spain.

The 2003 Under 23 World Cup Champion, who recently won the first international race held on the near complete Athens Olympic course, has set himself very clear targets for 2004, namely the Under 23 World Championship title, and of course a solid performance at the Olympics come August. For more on Liam, click here. (Courtesy 23 Degrees Sports)

Minnaar Wins Awards

South Africa's Greg Minnaar has picked up his third career Velo News award, recently announced by the Colorado based publication.

After his triumphant year where he won the UCI World Championship in Downhill, as well as the NORBA Downhill Series Title, and collected his first victory in a World Cup 4X race, 22 year old Greg Minnaar of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, was also recognized by his peers and country men when he received the Mountain Bike Cyclist of the Year Award at the Pick 'n Pay South African Cyclist of the Year Awards last month. The prestigious night was once again hosted by cycling commentary legends Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen and held in front of a capacity audience at the Extreme 16 venue in Fourways, Johannesburg.

Unlike 2001, where the awards chose an overall cyclist of the year and controversially Greg Minnaar, as the World Cup Champion at the time, was beaten by Road Cyclist Robbie Hunter, this year the awards were given by discipline and category with no overall award offered.

Greg is obviously delighted by these recognitions, stating last month of the Pick 'n Pay Award: "It tops off a brilliant year for me and I'm already looking forward to 2004".

To learn more about the "Fresh Prince of Big Air, read his profile here or visit his website here.  (Courtesy 23 Degrees Sports)

New Triath Book

Courtesy Human Kinetics--No matter what distances you're training for, "Triathlon Training" offers expert guidance for improving your racing from start to finish.

"Triathlon Training" contains six race-specific programs-two for sprint distances, two for Olympic distances, one for the half Ironman, and one for the Ironman. The sprint and Olympic programs include target race times to help you choose the best program for yourself, based on your ability level. It also details a 12-week, step-by-step, base-building program that you can use to work up to racing distances.

The instruction, time management tips, and drills in "Triathlon Training" will help you make the most effective use of each training day.

Insights from athletes' profiles and information on nutrition, supplements, and equipment offer additional ways to maximize training as you prepare for competition.

The book examines the most common triathlon injuries, offers advice on preventing those injuries, and details how to treat and recover from them, should they occur.

A full-color book with more than 200 photos, "Triathlon Training" was developed in consultation with USA Triathlon and the British Triathlon Association.

Whether you are thinking about entering your first triathlon or are committing yourself to Ironman competition, this book will help put you on the path to a successful finish.

About the Author--Michael Finch has been involved in the sport of triathlon for more than 10 years, both as a participant and as a journalist. He has completed more than 50 triathlons in his career, including two South African Ironman competitions. Finch began to cover triathlons as a sport journalist for the South African Press Association and later worked for a cycling magazine. Today he is an editor for "Runner's World South Africa," where he is a major contributor to the magazine's triathlon content.

Contents

Chapter 1. Origins of triathlon
Ironman and its first stars; demystifying the jargon; basic principles of training

Chapter 2. Get the right gear
Latest gear for all three disciplines; setup and getting the most from your bike; improving your times with aero gizmos

Chapter 3. Swim, cycle, run
Gym strength routine; techniques, drills and top tips for each discipline; active stretch routine; handling transitions

Chapter 4. Tackling your training
Mind power; heart-rate monitors; logbooks; solid training build-up; 6 day-to-day training programs from Sprint Distance to Ironman

Chapter 5. Nutrition in triathlon
The triathlete's diet; pre- and post-race recovery; carbo-loading; healthy eating; supplementation

Chapter 6. Race day
Checklist; detailed advice on how to handle each leg; tips for faster transitions

Chapter 7. Aches and pains
Recognizing overtraining; common injuries for each discipline and how to treat them

Chapter 8. The world's great races
Five of the world's most memorable triathlon events

Triathlon Training by Michael Finch
Publication Date: February 2004
ISBN: 0-7360-5444-8
Price: $17.95
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 160
This book will be available in February 2004. For more information, please visit Human Kinetics.

Tour of Queensland Champ McKenzie to Navigators

Hackettstown, New Jersey, December 4, 2003 --The Navigators Insurance Cycling Team announced today that 2003 Tour of Queensland champion, David McKenzie, is moving to the team for 2004. The 1998 Australian national road champion joins countryman Henk Vogels, and former teammates Ciaran Power (IRL) and Vassili Davidenko (RUS) as the thirteenth man to sign with the New Jersey based TT2.

McKenzie has an impressive resume of success in the southern hemisphere, including a stage win in the 2001 Tour Down Under, and 11 stage wins in the popular Sun Tour. In 2000, he was the Australian Male road cyclist of the year, and was the victor of the Giro D’Italia’s 7th stage. The opportunistic Aussie is no stranger to North America, winning a stage  in the 2001 Tour de Beauce, and competing in the 2003 Tour of GA and Wachovia series events, but his main focus for several years has been the European peloton.

With victories in Belgium, Spain, and Italy, McKenzie will bring his speed, strength, and savvy to a Navigators squad that expects to continue to look for top results in Europe. A spring campaign in Italy, France, Benelux, and possibly Germany and Switzerland, will augment what expects to be an exciting and challenging American domestic calendar.

 “David brings another dimension to what I believe will be a very competitive Navigators team. He is a proven winner, and a tireless teammate, and he has a great nose for the finish. I expect his leadership qualities will add depth to the team’s assault while providing valuable support for his new companions. The Navigators Insurance Company continues to increase its support of American cycling in a global arena, and it is our goal to parallel their business success with competitive success.” (Team Director, Ed Beamon)

Business Manager Ray Cipollini adds, “McKenzie’s international profile should provide a valuable contribution in our effort to augment Navigators Insurance brand recognition.” (Courtesy Navigators)