A Day at the Races, Omloop Cancelled, Paolo Bettini, Paola Pezzo, Kelme Riders, Postal's Classics Team, Baker Boys Weekend Rosters, USA Cycling Track WC Qualifier, Zero Gravity Sponsors Webcor, Team Speed Queen, The Tour Baby! in San Francisco

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A Day at the Races

Tour de France - Wild Cards! UPDATED!
Cipo's in! Hamilton and Sevilla confirmed....

Alessandro Bertolini wins Giro di Lucca
And France's Florent Brard takes final stage. Stage report and final results.

62nd Volta Valenciana - Stage 4
A less-known Spaniard takes his first win as professional rider at the top of Alto de Campello. Updated with stage report and complete results.

GP Chiasso Preview
Simoni, Popovych, Moncoutie and the Zbergs will all be battling it out tomorrow in the Swiss opener!

Omloop Cancelled

Due to the inclement weather conditions the Omloop Het Volk is cancelled. The snow continued to fall so for safety reasons the organisers have decided not to run the race.

These photos taken yesterday show the extent of the problem, courtesy of Sportwereld, Omloop Het Volk organizer.

The Eikenberg today...

The Molenberg...

Weather Report

The Commissaire of the UCI, Guy Dobbelaere, inspected the course on Friday afternoon and he still feels that there are several dangerous points on the course.

"The last section of pavées, that of Vogelzangstraat in Lokeren, is still completely snow covered, and there is still snow on the finishing straight although that can be solved fairly easily.”

The organisers are still confident that the race will proceed, but the situation is still being evaluated by the hour.

The Eikenberg and Molenberg climbs are also still snow covered and may yet be removed from the course.

Haaghoek. Courtesy Sportwereld.
The Climbs
Côte de Trieu km 43
Oude-Kwaremont km 51,
Kanarieberg km 66,
Abdijstraat-Muur km 89,
Kleiberg km 106,
Eikenberg km 116, L
Leberg km 127,
Berendries km 131
Molenberg km 139.

Pavées
Holleweg at Volkegem km 117
Haaghoek at Sint-Kornelis-Horebeke km 124
Paddestraat/Lippenhovestraat at Velzeke (this section is just after the Molenberg climb and is the place to seal an attack) km 145
Vogelzangstraat in Lokeren km 184.

Berendries. Courtesy Sportwereld.

Paolo Bettini – A Few Words

World Cup winner, to many observers the number one rider of 2003, yet still there is the question from journalists “What about Hamilton?” The winner of San Remo, Hamburg, Saint-Sébastian, and the world's highest ranked UCI rider at the end of the season makes his reply with quiet sincerity - "One day, I will finally settle the issue of the Worlds, who knows, perhaps this year in Vérona. To be honest, the race for the Rainbow jersey in October does not suit me. If it was up to me, I would hold the race at the end of August, just before the Vuelta."

Many of the major cycling stars, Lance Armstrong included, have also doubted the wisdom of holding the Worlds so late in the year. It seems a fundamental issue between riders and the UCI, but one that is never properly addressed.

On the Olympics, Bettini is equally assured: "I hope to be in the same top form as I was in 2003. If I am, the gold medal will not be far away from my neck!”

However the World's Number One rider sees the Tour de France on a different perspective to the main contenders, "The fact is, there is no better training than riding the Tour de France to ensure top condition in August."

As for the forthcoming Spring Campaign – Bettini is equally assured - "In our team, things are clear: Johan Museeuw will be our leader for the races in Flanders, and they start this weekend. For the last attack on the bergs and walls of Flanders, it is logical that we work together. Yes, even me. I will help Johan to win his last Tour of Flandres or Paris-Roubaix. As for me, it is obvious that I dream of San Remo again, when a boy like Alessandro Petacchi says he is a rival, you must be serious!”

Paolo Pezzo Sidelined

Italian mountain bike queen, World Champ and Olympic gold medallist Paola Pezzo had and appendectomy this morning after an appendicitis attack earlier this week. She was supposed to ride the Liquigas Cup this weekend in Brescia, but instead will be on the mend for approximately three weeks, after which she will resume training. This is not expected to affect her Olympic hopes this year. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Courtesy Paola Pezzo website.

Kelme Riders to Compete this Weekend

Todociclismo reports today that Vincente Belda, manager of the Comunidad Valencia-Kelme team has received UCI approval for his riders awaiting UCI license issuance to compete Sunday in the Clasica de Almeria.

This is double good news for the Kelme team, which, if it solves its budget problems, will be invited to the Tour de France. Tour organizer Jean Marie Le Blanc said today that he will hold a place for Com. Valencia-Kelme since it is an historical team (25 years of sponsorship) that has always done well in the Tour.

The team's current budget documentation troubles are keeping several late signings from being licensed by the UCI, including two time Spanish national champion and 2001 Vuelta winner Angel Casero, as well as Juan Miguel Cuenca, Agustín Alonso, David Muñoz, Vicente Ballester, José Luis Martínez and Costa Rican José Adrián Bonilla.

Berry Floor Presents US Postal's Classics Team

Thursday evening, February 26, US Postal Service co-sponsor Berry Floor presented the team for the classic races. The team for the Classics is Damon Kluck, Stijn Devolder, Jürgen Van den Broeck, Antonio Cruz, Guennedi Mikhailov, Benoit Joachim, Viatcheslav Ekimov, Max van Heeswijk and George Hincapie.

So far this season, Stijn Devolder took 3rd place in the Tour du Haut Var, while Max van Heeswijk won two stages and the points classification at the Ruta del Sol.

The USPS presented by Berry Floor team is very ambitious for the races of the coming weekend and heard how the team management hopes for a first win in a World Cup Classic, which should come in the Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix.

The team management stressed a unique sixth Tour win is the main objective, but at the same time Assistant Director Sportif Dirk Demol expressed his hopes on a first win in a World Cup Classic.

Dirk Demol said, “There are three riders who can play a prominent part during the classics, Max (van Heeswijk), Eki (Viatcheslav Ekimov) and George (Hincapie). These three are supported by a lot of strong guys, some of whom can grow above themselves on occasion. I don’t hide our hope for a first World Cup Classic win in either the Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix. Races like Milan-Sanremo are not made for a team like ours, we just don’t have the right kind of riders for races like that.”

What can we expect in the Omloop Het Volk (Saturday) and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne (Sunday)?

Demol says, “For George, these races come too soon. He hasn’t recovered sufficiently yet from a bacterial stomach infection. Eki will stand his ground, but if you ask me you have to watch Max van Heeswijk in particular on Saturday. Max has been telling all winter how he wants to be at his best for that race and Paris-Roubaix, so… I know he’s ready for the new season, something he’s proven already last week in the Tour of the Algarve. I’m no gambler, but if you would ask me on what rider I would bet, you can be pretty sure it would be Max (laughs).”

George Hincapie. Courtesy OLN.

Max van Heeswijk couldn’t agree more, saying, “Winning a race or not depends on a lot of factors, but if things go the way I think they will, I should be present in the final of the race on Saturday and have a good chance on winning. Expect me to perform only on Saturday, because I’m the type of rider who can give it all he’s got on one day, but not the day after. Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne would not be ‘my kind of race’.”

Max van Heeswijk. Courtesy his website.

During the presentation, a lot of attention was given to the two young Belgian newcomers, Stijn Devolder and Jürgen Van den Broeck. Both youngsters as well as the team management expect a lot of 2004, even though the message was their talent will not be tested to the limit.

“We put as little pressure possible on their shoulders, even though we expect Stijn to surprise the outside world once in a while”, Dirk Demol says. “Stijn is ready to make his step forward and can be good for some unexpected top performances, something he already did in the Tour du Haut Var in France, where he finished third. Jürgen will be treated with even more care. Jürgen already showed on numerous occasions he’s got what it takes, but still has to grow at his own pace. He indicated he dreams about riding a programme in the French-speaking part of Belgium, a wish we will try to fulfill.”

Stijn Devolder. Courtesy his website.

Co-sponsor Berry Floor had some good news as well. 2003 not only was a sporting success, business-wise the Belgian laminate producer saw how its sponsoring gave sales a considerable boost.

“Thanks to USPS presented by Berry Floor, we realised a considerable rise in our worldwide sales”, marketing manager Philippe Harinck said. “At the same time, the brand awareness with the consumer got an important boost. This much is clear: from now on, Berry Floor can put its foot next to that of the small number of world leaders in brand products. What’s more, in 2004 Berry Floor plans to even strengthen its position on the laminates market.”

“It’s not Berry Floor’s intention to limit its sponsoring to just being present on the rider’s shirts. The management decided to use the group’s sport sponsoring for the company’s entire marketing story.

"What’s more, Berry Floor will also use the other sports sponsoring for its marketing story. In Belgium, the group contributes to the success of world champion motor cross Stefan Everts and basketball team Ostend, something everyone who has business with Berry Floor will be made aware of.

"Take, for example, the coming Batibouw fair in Brussels. There, on February 28 and March 5, from 14pm till 15pm, Stefan Everts will be present at the Berry Floor stand (6103), where he will give away autographs to his fans.” (Courtesy US Postal-Berry Floor)

Brioches la Boulangere Weekend Lineups

Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne: Franck Bouyer, Sébastien Chavanel, Anthony Geslin, Christophe Kern, Rony Martias, Alexandre Naulleau and Franck Renier.

Clasica de Almeria: Walter Bénéteau, Anthony Charteau, Mickaël Pichon, Jérôme Pineau, Matthieu Sprick, Thomas Voeckler and Unaï Yus.

Vuelta a Murcia: Anthony Charteau, Maryan Hary, Rony Martias, Alexandre Naulleau, Mickaël Pichon, Matthieu Sprick and Unaï Yus. (Courtesy Velo Club du Net)

USA Cycling World Cup Qualifier #1 Gets Underway

Athletes Compete for a Trip to Mexico

Day one of the UCI Track World Cup Qualifier took place yesterday at the Brian Piccolo Park Velodrome in southeastern Florida with seven events being contested.

Tanya Lindenmuth (Trexlertown, Pa.) started things off with a win in the women’s 500m time trial event with a time of 36.2 seconds, besting second place finisher Becky Conzelman (Trexlertown, Pa.).

In the men’s kilometer time trial, Christian Stahl (Bethany, Conn.) rode a 1:06.8 on his way to a win ahead of runner-up, Adam Duvendeck (Colorado Springs, Colo.).

In the evening session, Jennie Reed (Kirkland, Wash.) took the first two races in the women’s sprint from Lindenmuth to claim the win after posting the best qualifying time.

In the men’s 4km individual pursuit, Joseph D'Antoni (Raleigh, N.C.) won over Curtis Gunn (Colorado Springs, Colo.) with in a time of 4:54.7. Please see our recent interview with Joey here.

Olympic Gold Medalist Marty Nothstein (Trexlertown, Pa.) returned to the track, winning the men’s keirin and placing second behind winner, Jamie Carney (Boulder, Colo.) in the men’s 15km scratch race.

Finally, Becky Quinn (Quakertown, Pa.) outrode Conzelman to take the win in the women’s 20km points race.

Complete results from day one of USA Cycling’s UCI Track World Cup Qualifier are available here.

This World Cup Qualifier serves as a qualifying event for round two of the UCI Track World Cup in Aguascalientes, Mexico next month. Under USA Cycling’s World Cup Selection Procedures, events that are open for qualifying include the women’s 500m time trial, the men’s kilometer time trial, the men’s individual pursuit, the men’s and women’s sprint, the men’s keirin, the women’s points race, the women’s scratch race, the men’s and women’s team pursuit, and the men’s madison.

Further information on USA Cycling’s World Cup Qualifier Events is available on the World Cup Qualifier section of www.usacycling.org.

Zero Gravity Sponsors Webcor

Zero Gravity Components has reached a formal agreement to be the official brake supplier of the Webcor Builders Professional Cycling Team of two time defending USA National Racing Calendar Champion Chris Horner. The team will be riding the new Zero Gravity sub 100 gram brake calipers in all events for the 2004 season.

Horner was quoted as saying "The Zero Gravity's are fantastic brakes. They're really light and don't flex much. I can't wait to use them!"

Team manager Dario Falquier says "Half the weight of other brakes and no performance penalty. How can you not love that?!"

Other members of the team are also excited such as last year's Univest Grand Prix winner Ted Huang, stating "We are pleased and impressed by the performance of the Zero Gravitys. They modulate very well, stop on a dime, and don't flex much. Most importantly, you just don't notice them."

Agreements are nearly finalized with other professional teams to ride Zero Gravity Brakes for the 2004 season. Formal announcements will be made in the near future.

Photo courtesy Zero Gravity.

About Zero Gravity Brakes--Zero Gravity Brakes are state of the art lightweight brakes for road bikes which use a patented cam design, titanium hardware, and fully CNC machined in the USA 7075 Aluminum caliper arms. Tipping the scales at just over half the weight of other high end road brakes, they have managed to avoid the pitfalls that have hampered other lightweight brakes through the use of a leverage increasing cam system and a machined caliper design that resists flex. The result is a brake with more stopping power than standard calipers while weighing a mere 96 grams for a rear caliper (front calipers weigh 98 grams due to their longer center bolt).

Full product details and technical specifications can be found at http://www.zerogravitybike.com.

About the Webcor Builders Professional Cycling Team--The Webcor Builders team is a UCI registered division 3 trade team who made news by signing Horner late last year in addition to his former Saturn teammate Charles Dionne. Between them they have won the past two editions of one of America's most difficult and prestigious races, the San Francisco Grand Prix. Horner is also a 3 time winner of the Redlands Bicycle Classic Stage race and numerous other prestigious North American events. They are sponsored by Webcor Builders, one of the country's leading general contractors. For more information go to http://www.webcorcycling.com.

Team Speed Queen

Please visit Giana Roberge's Team Speed Queen website - Giana is a racer, coach and former Saturn manager. She publishes a monthly newsletter with topics of interest to women racers. The newsletter portion of the site is here and March's newsletter is available.

Topics this month are:
The myths and facts behind nutrition.Going slow to become a National Champion.
How to Beat Jet Lag.
What are Nutrients?
Patience Pays
Healthy Air Travel
Vitamins and Minerals
Wound Care
Crash Kits

The Tour Baby! Screening in San Francisco

Please join Areté Racing for a night at the Dragon Bar where we will be showing the movie The Tour Baby!, a documentary of the 2000 Tour de France while we move and groove to some funky tunes by DJ Keith McDonald from Lombardi Sports! A portion of the evening's proceeds will benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation and a portion will benefit the team, which is sponsored by LAF.

Also, the maker of the movie, Scott Coady, will be on hand to answer questions about his film.

Dragon Bar
473 Broadway Street (b/w Kearney & Montgomery)
San Francisco, California
Friday, February 27, 8:00pm
Phone: 415-725-RYAN

For more details, go here.