| 10/08/2001 | LEIPHEIMER IN DEMAND
American Levi Leipheimer has been one of the great revelations of the 2001 season. His third place overall at the Vuelta 2001 has made believers out of many, particularly about his talents against the clock and to be able to climb well. With Leipheimer’s contract coming to an end with the US Postal, many European teams have their eyes on him. Belgian Team Domo-Farm Frites has already had two conversations with the rider, although it looks like the most promising talks are with Dutch team Rabobank.
2004 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP VENUE
The UCI announced today that the 2004 Road Cycling World Championships will be raced in Verona, Italy. That will follow the 2003 World Championships, which will be held in Hamilton, Canada and the 2002 World Championships, which will be held in Zolder, Belgium.
QUICK STEP EXTENDS CONTRACT
Belgian company Quick Step has committed to continue their co-sponsor of Mapei for two more years.
VIRENQUE TO REMAIN AT DOMO
After his win at Paris-Tours, Frenchman Richard Virenque declared his intentions to remain with the team that trusted in him. Although Domo’s Team Manager, Patrick Lefevere said that this win would cost him “at least one million more francs”.
IGOR RENOUCES THE WORLDS
Spaniard Igor González de Galdeano (ONCE-Eroski) has decided not take part in the World Championships and instead stay with his wife, who’s ill. Igor’s position will be filled by Eladio Jiménez (iBanesto.com).
CASERO LOOKING FOR TEAM
Recent Vuelta a España winner, Angel Luis Casero expects to announce the name of his new team by Wednesday. The most attractive offers have come from iBanesto.com and Kelme in Spain and from Lampre and Saeco in Italia.
+ INTERVIEW
MAPEI’S OSCAR FREIRE
Q. You have come back and have finished second at Paris-Tours. You are full of surprises.
A. But I wasn’t happy. I could have won. I don’t understand how Virenque reached the finish line, when we had him at 20 seconds with 7 kilometers to go, with a headwind and the peloton was flying. Many think that he was helped by the motorcycles.
Q. We didn’t see any irregularities on TV.
A. Yeah. But there were requests heard on race radio for the motorcycles to advance. It is not normal for a rider that broke away for 230 kilometers to hold off the whole peloton. But we can do anything now, can we?
Q. We would have thought that you would have been happy. You finished second and beat Zabel in the sprint.
A. I’m disappointed, because once again I finished second. I have not been very lucky with my results.
Q. In any case, it doesn’t look like you suffered pain.
A. That is true. I haven’t felt any pain, during the race or after. Although the route was flatter than the route of Worlds.
Q. In Lisbon, a second place would be valuable.
A. No. It would be like just tasting the honey. I won’t be happy with the silver at the Worlds. I have already won the gold. Cycling is about winning.www.infociclismo.com
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